Classpot

Highfields Primary School

Tendring, CO11 2BNPrimaryAges 4–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Nov 2022
KS2 Results
82%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.3×
Oversubscribed
59 1st-choice / 45 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#1183 of 13,686 nationally

About Highfields Primary School

Highfields Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 124 applications for just 45 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.76. Of those, 59 were first-preference applications, and 44 first-preference offers were made — meaning almost every first-choice family secured a spot, but demand still far outstrips supply. While the school doesn’t publish a formal parent recommendation percentage, the sheer volume of applications is a strong signal of its reputation in the Tendring area. Headteacher Tara Marshall leads a school that is slightly over its official capacity of 315 pupils, with 320 currently enrolled, which suggests parents are actively seeking places here. The school is a mixed, non-religious state primary for ages 4 to 11, and it doesn’t have a nursery or sixth form, so it’s squarely focused on the primary years.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range4 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressColchester Road, Manningtree, Tendring, CO11 2BN
HeadteacherTara Marshall
Local AuthorityEssex
Number of Pupils320
Free School Meals (FSM)6.3%
School Capacity320 / 315 (102% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

16 Nov 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Early Years Provision
Outstanding

Latest monitoring visit (16 Nov 2022): School remains Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 8 Sept 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
Forest SchoolICT SuiteLibrarySports HallMusic RoomsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

12

Sports

GymnasticsAthleticsTennisDanceFootballRoundersCricket

Clubs & Activities

ChoirBook ClubEco ClubFilm ClubScience Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:15

Breakfast club

07:45-08:40

After-school care

15:15-17:30

Source: highfields-essex.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Highfields Primary School

Highfields Primary School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.