Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Colchester

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 75% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 68 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Stratford St Mary Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 93% reading, 80% maths); East Bergholt Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 87% reading, 87% maths); Ardleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy (2.1 miles, 91% reading, 100% maths); and Langham Primary Academy (2.2 miles).

Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

8.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (89%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 14 pupils (6.9%) received SEN support and 6 (3%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School has a resourced provision for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia: 1 place, 1 pupil on roll.

Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Manningtree Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kiln Cottages (n-bound), 190 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often burglary, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

In 2024/25, Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 2.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.