Rayne Primary and Nursery School, Braintree

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Rayne Primary and Nursery 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.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff have a clear understanding of pupils' attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that early years provides children with a secure start to school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders create an inclusive environment where pupils and their families are well known."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's context, strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a programme for personal development that supports pupils beyond their academic learning."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Most pupils learn to read using phonics and apply this when reading books that match their ability."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should improve the consistency of teaching so that all staff check pupils' understanding and adapt learning effectively, ensuring all pupils are ready for the next stage of education"; "Leaders should improve pupils' achievement by addressing the important gaps in learning across reading, writing, mathematics and the wider curriculum so all pupils are well prepared for the next stage"; "Leaders should further develop consistent approaches to behaviour so that staff apply expectations consistently in lessons and at playtimes".

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Rayne Primary and Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 95% in reading and 95% 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 Rayne Primary and Nursery School as their first choice and 45 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 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 Rayne Primary and Nursery School are Notley Green Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 81% maths); St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (1.4 miles, Requires improvement, 67% reading, 66% maths); White Court School (1.7 miles, Good, 86% reading, 83% maths); and John Bunyan Primary School and Nursery (1.8 miles, Good, 71% reading, 65% maths).

Rayne Primary and Nursery School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Rayne Primary and Nursery School is one of 7 schools run by Attain Academy Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 58% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

12.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (86%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 24 pupils (11.3%) received SEN support and 4 (1.9%) 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 autism.

Rayne Primary and Nursery 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 Braintree Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Cock (outside), 350 metres away.

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

In 2024/25, Rayne Primary and Nursery School issued 9 suspensions, 4.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.