Howbridge CofE Junior School
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE DIOCESE OF CHELMSFORD VINE SCHOOLS TRUST
Howbridge Road, Witham, CM8 1BZ
01376 501648 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 November 2023.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
42 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Witham comparisons use the 6 of its 11 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 5 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Witham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 2% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 90% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 22 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 4% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 27% | 42% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 29 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 5% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 74% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Witham. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67%said yes | 83% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Witham figures pool parents at the Witham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
95 pupils in this year group.
51% — 12 points below the Essex average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 51% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 72% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 67% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 64% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 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.
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 4th highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.4% | 21.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 57% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 42% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.2% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 48% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.0% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Lower than 8% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.2% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Lower than 11% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 21.3% | 13.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 17.6 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.28% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 97% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 27.0 | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 95% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 14.8 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 11 state primary schools in Witham. Higher than 94% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 36.4% | 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
- Howbridge Infant School 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chipping Hill Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Witham Oaks Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Acorn Infant Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- Templars Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Elm Hall Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hatfield Peverel Infant and Nursery School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022
- Hatfield Peverel St Andrew's Junior School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Great Totham Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Howbridge CofE Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Howbridge CofE Junior School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 November 2023.
How did Howbridge CofE Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 51% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 11 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Howbridge CofE Junior School?
67% of the 42 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Howbridge CofE Junior School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 140666.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.