Blackmore Primary School, Ingatestone

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Blackmore Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to securing a high-quality start for children in the early years."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school's inclusive ethos ensures that all pupils are able to participate fully in school life."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils are prepared well for their next educational steps."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders provide a clear strategic focus on attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is well designed and sequenced."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a strong sense of pride in their school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a broad and inclusive approach to personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the personal development curriculum allows pupils to develop their understanding about the fundamental British values and protected characteristics"; "Leaders should ensure that staff use assessment consistently and effectively to check pupils' understanding and make changes to the curriculum and teaching when needed".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am very proud to be the Headteacher of Blackmore Primary School. Our one-form entry village school is at the heart of the community and each and every child is encouraged to believe that everything is possible with a can-do attitude and determination to achieve."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Blackmore Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 95% in reading and 89% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 28 families put Blackmore Primary School as their first choice and 74 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 6 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Blackmore Primary School are Doddinghurst Infant School (2.1 miles, Good); Doddinghurst Church of England Junior School (2.1 miles, Good, 73% reading, 61% maths); High Ongar Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 72% reading, 72% maths); and Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School (2.7 miles, 60% reading, 75% maths).

Blackmore Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

10.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Ingatestone Rail Station, about 3.5 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Blackmore Primary School (opposite), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 5 crimes within a mile of the school, most often vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

Blackmore Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.