Lift Hockley
101%
Capacity
332
Pupils
4.0x
Demand
About Lift Hockley
Lift Hockley’s headline metrics put it well ahead of the Essex primary average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 85% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of 62%. That 23-point gap is significant and places the school third out of 19 primaries in the Rochford district, and in the top 5% nationally. The school also outperforms on higher-standard attainment: 17% of pupils achieved the higher benchmark in all three subjects, while 53% hit the higher standard in reading alone. These figures suggest a consistent pattern of strong academic performance across the board, not just in one area.
Ofsted has rated Lift Hockley Outstanding overall, a grade it has held since its graded inspection in 2016. The most recent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed the school remains Outstanding, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all judged at the top grade. The previous inspection in 2011 rated the school Good, so the improvement trajectory is clear. In terms of specific exam scores, the average maths scaled score was 107 and reading 108, both above the national benchmark of 100. The school does not publish progress scores for reading, writing or maths, so it is not possible to compare how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points, but the raw attainment is strong.
The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26, there were 158 applications for 40 places, giving a ratio of nearly 4:1, and all 37 first-preference applicants were offered a place. Facilities include a sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, library and music rooms, and the school runs clubs covering drama, choir, book club and eco club. Sports on offer include athletics, dance, swimming, netball, tennis, cross country and cricket. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. With 7.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals — below the national average — the school serves a relatively less deprived catchment. Lift Hockley suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes and want a well-resourced primary with a wide range of extracurricular activities, though the high oversubscription means early application is essential.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Chevening Gardens, Hockley, Rochford, SS5 4UR |
| Headteacher | David Jenkins |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 332 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 7.8% |
| School Capacity | 332 / 330 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Sept 2021Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Latest inspection (15 Sept 2021): School remains Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 10 Feb 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (85%)
765th of 13,686
Nationally
72nd of 1,612
In East of England
3rd of 19
In Rochford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
85%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
'22/23
85%
'23/24
85%
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
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed40
158
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
37 families put this school as their 1st choice (23% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British88.9%
- Mixed5.7%
- White (other)1.8%
- Asian1.8%
- Black0.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
4
Total schools
4
Oversubscribed
3
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lift Hockley
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
Chevening Gardens, Hockley
Rochford, SS5 4UR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
