SchoolScoresArdleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of CANONIUM LEARNING TRUST
Colchester Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, CO7 7NS
01206 230394 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 4 October 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
11 pupils in this year group.
64% — about the same as the Essex average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 64% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 91% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 64% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 100% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Essex. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 4 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 4 |
| Of those, offered a place | 4 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 12 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 37th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 42% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.1% | 21.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 61st highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 16% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 19th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.4% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 46th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 41st lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 40% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 63rd lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 21% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.8% | 13.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 68th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 15% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.8 | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 63rd highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 25% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.3 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 71 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 100% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 77.8% | 13.5%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Dedham CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
- Langham Primary Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Colchester 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Roach Vale Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Parsons Heath CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brinkley Grove Primary School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2024 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hazelmere Junior School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Friars Grove Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Elmstead Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2019 · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 October 2022.
How did Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 64% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 4 families put Ardleigh St Mary's CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 4 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 4 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 150533.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.