Richard de Clare Community Academy, Halstead

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Richard de Clare Community Academy 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. "Although published outcomes remain below national averages, particularly at key stage 2, this does not reflect the impact of the teaching and support currently in place."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders track attendance closely and take action to improve it."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a clear, well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum, which is adapted effectively to meet pupils' needs."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years settle quickly."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff share an inclusive vision that all pupils can achieve."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders work closely with the trust, which knows the school well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a clear, well-planned approach to personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders need to continue to embed and monitor the effectiveness of the whole-school communication strategy so that pupils further develop secure foundational skills in expressing their ideas verbally"; "Leaders need to ensure that staff receive further training in the school's pedagogical approaches to ensure high-quality teaching is consistent across the school".

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Richard de Clare Community Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 69% in reading and 53% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 42 families put Richard de Clare Community Academy as their first choice and 63 named it as one of their preferences, for 50 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 Richard de Clare Community Academy are Holy Trinity Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Halstead (0.4 miles, Good, 70% reading, 80% maths); St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Halstead (0.6 miles, Good, 91% reading, 85% maths); Gosfield Community Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 75% reading, 45% maths); and Colne Engaine Church of England Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 56% reading, 28% maths).

Richard de Clare Community Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Richard de Clare Community Academy is one of 11 schools run by Bridge Academy Trust, 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.

11.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%), Black (7%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 91 pupils (24.6%) received SEN support and 16 (4.3%) 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.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Richard de Clare Community Academy.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is High Street (sw-bound), 300 metres away.

In 2024/25, Richard de Clare Community Academy issued 8 suspensions, 2.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.