Ridgewell Church of England Primary School, Halstead

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Ridgewell Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 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' actions to improve attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, are effective."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) accurately."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school provides a broad personal development offer that prepares pupils well for life beyond the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "At the end of key stage 2, disadvantaged pupils do not achieve as well as they should, particularly in writing."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "The quality of teaching is inconsistent."

Early years - Needs attention. "Children in the early years do not consistently secure the most important knowledge they need."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders' actions, including at trust level, are not leading to improvements quickly enough in some areas of the school's work."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen the support and training for early years staff so they develop secure subject knowledge and expertise to help children learn, apply and practise the key skills that will prepare them well for Year 1"; "Leaders should ensure staff identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge quickly and effectively, particularly in foundational writing skills, so that pupils achieve consistently well"; "Leaders, including those at the trust, should ensure they act quickly and effectively to implement the necessary changes so they make timely and sustained improvements to teaching and pupils' achievement"; "Leaders should further develop their work with pupils and families to address barriers to attendance, resulting in notable improvements and high rates of attendance".

In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at Ridgewell Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 85% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 50% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Ridgewell Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 13 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 Ridgewell Church of England Primary School are St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Great Yeldham (1.8 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield (2.1 miles, Good, 86% reading, 57% maths); Clare Community Primary School (3.4 miles, Good, 78% reading, 59% maths); and Belchamp St Paul Church of England Primary School (3.4 miles, Good).

Ridgewell Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Ridgewell Church of England Primary School is one of 21 schools run by The Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 49% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Ridgewell Church of England Primary School (as of September 2026): 100% would recommend the school and 100% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (100%).

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 17 pupils (30.9%) received SEN support and 2 (3.6%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Ridgewell Church of England Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ridgewell Church of England Primary School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church Lane (opposite), 180 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

Ridgewell Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.