Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
92%
Capacity
194
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Colchester community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 194 pupils on roll and is well-filled (92% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gemma Chester, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 64% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 6352nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 29th out of 51 in Colchester.
Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 90 applications for 30 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 37 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School include Library, Playing Fields, Sensory Room, Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Swimming, Dance, Netball and 1 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Chess, Eco Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 9.8%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Colchester, Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Parson's Field, Colchester, Colchester, CO7 6BZ |
| Headteacher | Gemma Chester |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 194 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 9.8% |
| School Capacity | 194 / 210 (92% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Jun 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 24 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (64%)
6352nd of 13,686
Nationally
677th of 1,612
In East of England
29th of 51
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
64%
Expected Standard
11%
Higher Standard
'22/23
64%
'23/24
64%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
90
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
37 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Parson's Field, Colchester
Colchester, CO7 6BZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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