Shalford Primary School, Braintree

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to welcome you to Shalford Primary School. We are a small village school in a beautiful corner of rural North Essex. The school opened its doors in 1874 and has been a thriving and essential part of the local community ever since. We have pupils from all the surrounding towns and villages - everyone is welcome here."

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at Shalford Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 71% in reading and 86% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Shalford Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 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 Shalford Primary School are Wethersfield CofE VC Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); Bocking Primary School (2.6 miles, 88% reading, 65% maths); Great Bardfield Primary School (3.2 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths); and Rayne Primary and Nursery School (3.2 miles, Good, 67% reading, 74% maths).

Shalford Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Shalford Primary School is one of 28 schools run by The Compass Partnership of Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 77% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Shalford Primary School (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 75% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (96%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (73%).

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

The largest ethnic groups are White British (89%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 11 pupils (15.1%) received SEN support and 2 (2.7%) 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.

Shalford Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 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 Shalford Primary School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (opposite), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and other crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

Shalford Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.