SchoolScoresKings Ford Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of INSPIRES MAT
Gloucester Avenue, Shrub End, Colchester, CO2 9AZ
01206 573807 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 10 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| 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
12 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Colchester comparisons use the 37 of its 73 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 36 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 | Colchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 35th highest of 37 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 3% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 37th highest of 37 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 36th highest of 37 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 6% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 90% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 37th highest of 37 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 7%). 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. Colchester figures pool parents at the Colchester 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
58 pupils in this year group.
29% — 34 points below the Essex average, and 33 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 29% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 55% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 55% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 41% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 98 | 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 76% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 36.7% | 21.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 22nd highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 25th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 65% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.6% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 68% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.1% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 66th lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.7% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 66th lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 13% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 20.2% | 13.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 71st lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 16.6 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 71st lowest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Lower than 2% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.5% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.59% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 27th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 71% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.4 | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 25th highest of 73 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 77% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.4 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 71 state primary schools in Colchester. Higher than 90% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 30.6% | 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
- King's Ford Infant School and Nursery 0.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- Montgomery Primary School, Colchester 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael's Primary School and Nursery, Colchester 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gosbecks Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Prettygate Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Prettygate Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Hamilton Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Monkwick Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Monkwick Infant and Nursery School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Colchester 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Kings Ford Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 10 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Kings Ford Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 33 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Kings Ford Academy?
50% of the 12 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Kings Ford Academy 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 142001.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.