Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Chelmsford

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 typically develop the essential knowledge and skills they need in reading, writing and mathematics as they move through the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is broadly in line with the national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the strengths of the curriculum and have made positive changes when needed."

Early years - Expected standard. "Staff in the early years build warm relationships with children."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a culture in which inclusion is central to the school's work."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are highly dedicated to the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a coherent approach to pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment information more precisely so future learning activities enable pupils to build on their previous learning more effectively"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils develop accurate and legible handwriting".

In its own words: "Great Waltham Church of England Primary School is a voluntary controlled school for children aged 4 to 11 years and is maintained by Essex County Council. Pupils come to the school from the local village community as well as from the neighbouring villages for example Pleshey, Howe Street, Broomfield and Little Waltham."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care until 6:00pm, from £14.07 per session.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 68% in reading and 76% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 25 families put Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 71 named it as one of their preferences, for 27 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 Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Little Waltham Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths); Broomfield Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 72% reading, 69% maths); Ford End Church of England Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 82% maths); and Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School (2.6 miles, Good, 73% reading, 78% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

10.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Black (5%).

In 2026, 27 pupils (14.1%) received SEN support and 3 (1.6%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Beaulieu Park, about 3.5 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Memorial (opposite), 160 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 11 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.