Runwell Community Primary School, Wickford
Runwell Community Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Wickford, part of The Chelmsford Learning Partnership. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 6th-highest of the 7 schools in Wickford with published results, and 9,159th of 14,452 across England. It was 90% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Essex (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Runwell Community Primary School in detail
Runwell Community Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Runwell Community Primary School is a two form of entry primary school with Nursery Provision that is located just outside of Wickford Town Centre. We cater for children from 3 - 11 years of age and pride ourselves on being a school at the heart of the Runwell Parish Community!"
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Runwell Community Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% 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 49% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Runwell Community Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 29 families put Runwell Community Primary School as their first choice and 55 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Runwell Community Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Runwell Community Primary School are The Wickford Church of England School (0.6 miles, Outstanding); Wickford Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 65% reading, 74% maths); Hilltop Infant School (0.9 miles, Outstanding); and Hilltop Junior School (0.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 79% maths).
Runwell Community Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.
The Wickford Church of England SchoolWickford Primary SchoolHilltop Infant SchoolHilltop Junior School
The trust
Runwell Community Primary School is one of 11 schools run by The Chelmsford Learning Partnership, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
What parents say
122 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Runwell Community Primary School (as of September 2025): 42% would recommend the school, 67% say their child is happy there and 24% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (71%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (24%).
Who goes there
3.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (79%) and Mixed (5%).
In 2026, 54 pupils (14.9%) received SEN support and 7 (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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Wickford Rail Station, about 900 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wantz Corner (e-bound), 240 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Runwell Community Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Runwell Community Primary School issued 86 suspensions, 20.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Runwell Community Primary School are Beauchamps High School (1 mile) and Harris Academy Wickford (1.4 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from March 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Your child will benefit from a school that prioritises reading and equips them with strong literacy skills from the start. The school has thoughtful support systems including 'zen zones' for reflection and an inclusion team that cares for individual needs. Teachers are valued and supported, creating a positive school culture where your child can thrive.
Key Strengths
- Strong reading provision with trained staff delivering phonics effectively and building a positive reading culture across the school
- Excellent support for pupils with SEND, including well-considered individual provision through the 'Bonsai' programme
- Thoughtful personal development curriculum that prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain
- Ambitious, broad curriculum with projects engaging pupils in the local community
- Strong early years provision where children develop quickly and are well prepared for Year 1
Areas for Improvement
- Key knowledge not clearly identified in some subjects, meaning pupils do not build their learning as successfully as they could
- New behaviour policy not yet having full impact - some pupils struggle to meet expectations and disruptive behaviour affects others' learning
- Inconsistent understanding of behaviour expectations among some pupils and parents
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school creates an open, positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
French club, music club, residential trips, school councillors programme, anti-bullying ambassadors
Runwell Community Primary School is an inclusive school with ambitious curriculum provision that supports pupils to achieve well. The school maintains good quality education and personal development, though behaviour management requires ongoing attention.
At a Glance
22.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
122 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 69% to 79% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 49% to 67% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 58% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
22.6
Avg class size
22.6
Infant (KS1)
22.9
KS2
16
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Runwell Community Primary School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Runwell Community Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Runwell Community Primary School is in Essex; for families living there:
- Essex's school travel policy: Education Transport Policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 2
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Runwell Community Primary School
Will you get a place at Runwell Community Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Runwell Community Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Runwell Community Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Runwell Community Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Essex, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Runwell Community Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Essex got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
90%
Near capacity
380 pupils
420 places
40 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Wickford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Wickford
Across Essex council
Places available
17,932
Applications
15,737
Got 1st preference
90.3%
Got preferred school
98.2%
All primary applications across Essex council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(5)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good, but Ofsted raised concerns; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
54
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
16.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
362
Total Pupils
178
Boys
184
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
20
Teachers
18.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,794
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,955
Per pupil
£2173k
Total funding
£117k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.3%
Overall absence
13.0%
Persistent absence
355
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Runwell Community Primary School
Questions parents ask about Runwell Community Primary School
What are SATs results like at Runwell Community Primary School?
Of the pupils at Runwell Community Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 79% reached the expected standard in reading and 67% did so in maths.
What is Runwell Community Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Runwell Community Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2014, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Runwell Community Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Runwell Community Primary School is oversubscribed, Essex allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Runwell Community Primary School?
Runwell Community Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 90% of its 420 places.
How big are the classes at Runwell Community Primary School?
Classes at Runwell Community Primary School average 22.6 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Runwell Community Primary School?
Runwell Community Primary School has around 362 pupils on roll. 22% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Runwell Community Primary School?
5.3% of sessions were missed at Runwell Community Primary School in 2024/25. 13% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Runwell Community Primary School?
Apply through Essex's coordinated admissions process, naming Runwell Community Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Runwell Community Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Runwell Community Primary School?
Runwell Community Primary School is at Canewdon Gardens, Runwell, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7BJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)