Manford Primary School, Chigwell

Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Manford Primary School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Over time, pupils' achievement in reading and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 is broadly in line with national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Since the previous inspection, leaders have developed an ambitious and well-designed curriculum that prioritises securing deep knowledge, skills and vocabulary across different subjects."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years quickly learn the routines that help them settle and feel secure."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Manford Primary School fosters an inclusive approach underpinned with high expectations for all pupils."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, and those responsible for governance, are aspirational."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school provides a broad personal development offer."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders promote the importance of regular attendance."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should sharpen their oversight of aspects of the school's provision, including the impact of training on the quality of teaching. This will better support leaders in identifying and addressing any variations in practice in a more systematic way"; "Leaders should continue to prioritise their work to improve pupils' attendance so that rates of attendance improve overall and for groups and are better sustained over time".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I became Headteacher at Manford Primary in April 2019. We are a busy but friendly school, with lots going on. We aim to support their development by ensuring they have excellent educational experiences which encourage a love of learning, a pride in all they do and build memories that continue to influence their lives in a positive way."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care, from £10 per day.

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Manford Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 69% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 84% and 85% in Redbridge and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (71% in reading, 66% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 56 families put Manford Primary School as their first choice and 141 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Manford Primary School are Early Years Assessment Service and Centre Co Manford Primary School (under 0.1 miles); John Bramston Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 68% reading, 70% maths); Coppice Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 85% reading, 78% maths); and Limes Farm Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 61% reading, 64% maths).

Manford Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

34.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 42% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (35%), White British (13%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 63 pupils (13.7%) received SEN support and 33 (7.2%) 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.

The nearest Underground station is Grange Hill Underground Station, about 700 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Manford Primary School, 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 208 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Redbridge (338).

In 2024/25, Manford Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.