Collingwood Primary School, CHELMSFORD

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades Collingwood Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils start learning phonics as soon as they join the Reception Year."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils enjoy school and feel a sense of belonging."

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

Early years - Expected standard. "In the early years, children benefit from warm welcomes and calm routines."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities promptly."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a secure understanding of the school's community and its pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school has a well‑planned programme for personal development that helps pupils grow into confident, respectful and responsible young people."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders, including governors, should ensure that systems for checking the quality and impact of provision are used consistently, so that governors can provide effective challenge, particularly around pupils' progress over time. • Leaders should ensure that staff consistently model learning clearly and adapt support promptly, including in the early years, so that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive the guidance and support they need".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Collingwood we provide a nurturing experience that will well equip your child through those first important years of their education. Our staff are passionate about treating children as individuals, following their interests, and supporting them in building successful relationships and achieving their true potential. We believe that learning is for life and that this should be fun!"

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026, an open day on Wednesday 11 November 2026, an open day on Friday 27 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 1 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Collingwood Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 65% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Collingwood Primary School as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Collingwood Primary School are Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers (0.3 miles, Good, 55% reading, 48% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, SWF (0.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 84% maths); Elmwood Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 68% reading, 72% maths); and Woodville Primary School (1 mile, Outstanding, 83% reading, 81% maths).

Collingwood Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

40 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Collingwood Primary School (as of April 2026): 68% would recommend the school, 75% say their child is happy there and 25% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (80%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (25%).

14.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (92%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 23 pupils (11.1%) received SEN support and 5 (2.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Collingwood Primary School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 25 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is South Woodham Ferrers Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Collingwood Road (opposite), 220 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 52 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

In 2024/25, Collingwood Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.