Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery
About Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery
Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery in Chelmsford is a state primary that is noticeably more diverse in its intake than many schools in Essex. With 409 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, it is effectively full, and the demand is clear: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 99 applications for just 60 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.65. Only 44 first-preference families were offered a spot, so getting in is competitive. What really stands out is the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, which sits at 42.3%. That is significantly higher than the national average for primary schools, and it suggests Lawford Mead serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with a nursery on site for children from age three, making it a natural choice for local families looking for a single setting from early years right through to Year 6.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 43 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Mar 2025Latest monitoring visit (26 Mar 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 23 Feb 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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