Elsenham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Elsenham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Parents at Elsenham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of respondents to the Parent View survey saying they would recommend the school. That survey, covering the period from September 2024 to September 2025, drew 100 responses and paints a picture of a school where children are settled and happy: 81% of parents strongly agreed that their child is happy, and 86% strongly agreed that their child feels safe. The school is also popular on the ground. For entry in 2025/26, it received 90 applications for 60 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.5, with all 55 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. Parents also feel well-informed, with 74% strongly agreeing the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 57% strongly agreeing they are kept up to date on progress. The school’s leadership is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and its most recent ungraded inspection in November 2024 noted that the school had improved significantly since its previous graded inspection in 2019.

Academically, Elsenham performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a local authority average of 62%. The school ranks 3rd out of 34 primary schools in Uttlesford on this measure, placing it in the top 10% nationally. Pupils also achieve strong scores in individual subjects: the average scaled score in both reading and maths was 109, and 95% of pupils reached the expected standard in maths. At the higher standard, 55% of pupils achieved in reading, 47% in maths, and 24% in writing. Ofsted’s graded inspection in 2019 rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding early years provision and Outstanding leadership and management. The school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections, with the most recent ungraded visit confirming continued improvement.

The school is a Church of England voluntary controlled primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11, with a current roll of 383 against a capacity of 420. It offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, music rooms, a library, ICT suite, chapel, and outdoor playground. Sports provision covers gymnastics, swimming, cricket, netball, football, rounders and cross country, while clubs include chess, coding, eco club, art club, choir and gardening. The school has a dedicated SEND register and reports provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and social, emotional and mental health support. However, the Parent View data on SEND support is more mixed: 50% of parents strongly agreed that SEND children receive the support they need, but 17% disagreed and 8% strongly disagreed, suggesting some families may want to explore this further. With 11.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a broadly representative community and is a strong choice for families seeking a well-regarded village primary with a clear Christian character.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Elsenham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents