St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield, Halstead

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of our small village school, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Essex countryside, where every child truly is at the centre of all we do. Our children join us from Toppesfield and the surrounding villages of Stambourne, Great Yeldham, Sible Hedingham, Castle Hedingham, Finchingfield and Ridgewell."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include multi-sports, choir, guitar, gardening, art, sewing and photography.

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 23 June 2027 and an open day on Friday 25 June 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield reached the expected standard in reading and 57% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 38% in reading and 25% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield as their first choice and 13 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 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 St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield are St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Great Yeldham (1.3 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); Ridgewell Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 85% reading, 85% maths); de Vere Primary School (2.7 miles, Good, 78% reading, 83% maths); and St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Sible Hedingham (3.1 miles, Good, 61% reading, 74% maths).

St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

7.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 9.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Black (8%).

In 2026, 12 pupils (19%) received SEN support and 5 (7.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 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 St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Toppesfield Pump (outside), 160 metres away.

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

In 2024/25, St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Toppesfield issued 5 suspensions, 7.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.