Henry Moore Primary School

About Henry Moore Primary School

Henry Moore Primary School in Harlow is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 5 to 11, and it is running very close to full capacity with 563 pupils against a school capacity of 570. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11%, which is worth noting in the local context. The school is clearly in high demand: for the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 157 applications for just 60 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.62. Of those applications, 79 were first-preference choices, and 57 first-preference offers were made. This level of competition suggests that families in the area see it as a strong option, and the school’s non-religious character means it draws from a broad catchment rather than a faith-based intake.

Academically, Henry Moore performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 74% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an Essex average of 62%. The school’s average scores in reading and maths were both 107, and 88% of pupils met the expected standard in maths specifically. At the higher standard, 7% achieved the combined benchmark, with 40% hitting the higher mark in maths. The school ranks 6th out of 28 primary schools in Harlow and sits in the top 25% nationally for its KS2 combined expected standard score. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 was an ungraded visit that confirmed standards were maintained, and the school has held a Good rating since its last graded inspection in 2012, with leadership and management also rated Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including an ICT suite, art studios, a gymnasium, playing fields, a sensory room, a forest school and music rooms. Sports provision covers rounders, athletics, swimming, dance, netball, football and gymnastics, and there are clubs for science, choir and film. SEND support is listed for specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language needs, hearing impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. However, the Parent View responses, based on 76 respondents, show some notable dissatisfaction: 58% strongly disagreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, and 43% of respondents would not recommend the school to another parent. This suggests that while the school is academically strong and oversubscribed, families with SEND children may want to investigate further before applying.

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