Great Bardfield Primary School, Braintree

Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades Great Bardfield 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. "On the whole, pupils are ready for their next stage in their learning."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders make attendance a high priority."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a curriculum that is sequenced and progressive."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have prioritised the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including those responsible for governance, have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's ethos of 'courage, compassion and community' shines through in everything that leaders plan for the pupils."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that foundational knowledge is well embedded so that pupils can consistently achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics, including disadvantaged pupils"; "Leaders should ensure that staff continue to develop their expertise so that work is well matched to enable pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding clearly"; "Leaders should ensure that staff maximise quality interactions in the early years, especially for disadvantaged pupils and those with barriers to their learning".

In its own words: "Once you have been allocated a place at our school we will then send you a Welcome Pack giving you lots of information and telling you about our induction process. Your child will be invited to attend three induction sessions before the end of the summer term. Please ensure you do not book holidays which clash with these dates."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include choir and gardening.

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 30 June 2027 at 9.45am, an open day on Wednesday 7 July 2027 at 9.45am and an open day on Wednesday 14 July 2027 at 9.45am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Great Bardfield Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 86% in reading and 86% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Great Bardfield Primary School as their first choice and 43 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 5 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Great Bardfield Primary School are Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy (1.5 miles, 83% reading, 83% maths); Wethersfield CofE VC Primary School (2 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); Shalford Primary School (3.2 miles, Good, 87% reading, 93% maths); and Great Sampford Community Primary School (3.7 miles, Good, 92% reading, 75% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Great Bardfield Primary School.

1.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 9 pupils (7.7%) received SEN support and 2 (1.7%) 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.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Great Bardfield Primary School.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Brook Street (e-bound), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

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