Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School, Brentwood

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's personal development programme is very broad and purposeful."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Generally, pupils achieve well by the end of Year 6, including those who are disadvantaged."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have established clear processes and procedures to secure pupils' regular attendance at school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of development and practice in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs quickly, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know the school community well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should identify precise learning steps for some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), so that pupils with SEND consistently achieve their learning goals"; "Leaders should continue to develop consistency in teaching approaches, including effective use of questioning, across all phases"; "Those responsible for governance should develop their knowledge across areas where they are less secure, so that they can challenge leaders' decisions with equal rigour".

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 90% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 95 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School are Larchwood Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 78% reading, 85% maths); Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School (1.3 miles, 60% reading, 75% maths); Doddinghurst Church of England Junior School (1.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 61% maths); and Doddinghurst Infant School (1.7 miles, Good).

Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School is one of 5 schools run by Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust, an academy trust.

5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Brentwood Rail Station, about 2.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Mores Lane (opposite), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.