Unity Primary Academy, Colchester

From the headteacher's welcome: "As part of the Reach2 family of schools, we pride ourselves in excellence, providing exceptional opportunities for learning. We are very proud of the achievements of our pupils and of our community, embedding a culture of Respect, Aspiration, Care and Honesty in our school."

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 10am, an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 10am, an open day on Tuesday 24 November 2026 at 10am and an open day on Thursday 26 November 2026 at 10am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at Unity Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 79% 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 73% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Unity Primary Academy as their first choice and 53 named it as one of their preferences, for 34 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 Unity Primary Academy are Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery (0.5 miles, Good); Hazelmere Junior School (0.5 miles, Good, 61% reading, 66% maths); Roach Vale Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 70% maths); and Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery (0.8 miles, Good, 80% reading, 77% maths).

Unity Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Unity Primary Academy is one of 65 schools run by Reach2 Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

50 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Unity Primary Academy (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 80% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (98%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (80%).

47% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 36.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (42%), Black (25%) and Asian (13%).

In 2026, 96 pupils (22.2%) received SEN support and 9 (2.1%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Hythe (Essex) Rail Station, about 540 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Andrew's School (opposite), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Unity Primary Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 330 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Unity Primary Academy issued 39 suspensions, 8.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.