Kings Ford Academy, Colchester
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Kings Ford Academy has a strong focus on reading and has recently revised its curriculum to be well-planned and ambitious. Pupils with special needs receive excellent support in an inclusive environment, and the school prioritises attendance so pupils can benefit from this improved teaching. Staff are caring and supportive, helping pupils feel safe and valued.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with effective support for early readers and regular practice with sounds and writing
- Well-planned curriculum with ambitious knowledge sequencing, particularly improving pupils' recall in mathematics
- Effective identification and support for pupils with SEND, creating an inclusive environment
- Staff provide good pastoral support and pupils feel safe and cared for
- High attendance prioritised with additional support for pupils who need it
Areas for Improvement
- Behaviour policy does not ensure consistent responses to inappropriate behaviour - some pupils lack respect and engagement in lessons
- Resources and activities in some subjects are not effective enough at teaching key knowledge
- Reading books for some early readers do not match the sounds they know, affecting confidence and fluency
- High expectations for behaviour not realised consistently - different rules in different classes
- Staff do not always respond quickly to low-level disruption
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school has created an open, positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Greek day, VE day celebrations, school council, librarians, play leaders, after-school club, online safety activities
Kings Ford Academy is a junior school where pupils are happy and recognise the school is improving. The school has a well-planned, ambitious curriculum and prioritises reading, though behaviour expectations are not consistently high across all classes.
At a Glance
29.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
12 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 61% to 55%. Maths has declined from 72% to 41%. Writing has declined from 61% to 55%.
Class Sizes
22.5
Avg class size
22.5
KS2
6
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
63%
Available places
152 pupils
240 capacity
88 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Colchester
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Colchester
Admissions Demand - Essex
Places available
17,913
Applications
15,619
Got 1st preference
90.3%
Got preferred school
98.4%
Primary admissions across Essex (2025/26)
Inspection History(3)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.67463%
Overall absence
20.20202%
Persistent absence
198
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Kings Ford Academy
Paxman Academy
Philip Morant School and College
St Benedict's Catholic College
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester Royal Grammar School
St Mary's School for Girls
The Thomas Lord Audley School
Colchester Prep & High School
Kingswode Hoe School
St Helena School
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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