Purleigh Community Primary School

About Purleigh Community Primary School

Purleigh Community Primary School enjoys strong local confidence, reflected in its oversubscription ratio of 3.83 for the 2025/26 academic year. With 115 applications for just 30 places, and 27 of those offers going to first-preference families, it is clearly a popular choice among Maldon parents. While the school does not publish a specific parent recommendation percentage, the high demand speaks volumes. Headteacher Neil Stotter leads a mixed, state primary for children aged 4 to 11, with a current roll of 206 pupils against a capacity of 210. The school is non-religious and serves a community where 10.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, slightly below the national average. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, the school was rated Good overall, with a standout Outstanding rating for behaviour and attitudes. This marks a change from its previous Outstanding rating in 2012, but inspectors still praised leadership and management as Good, and early years provision as Good.

Academically, Purleigh performs around the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 57% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Essex local authority average of 62%. The school ranks 9th out of 17 primary schools in the Maldon district on this measure, placing it in the bottom half of the local authority. However, individual subject results are more encouraging: 83% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, and 80% in writing, both well above the national benchmark. Maths was a relative weak spot, with 63% at expected and an average score of 103. Higher-attaining pupils were less common here, with just 13% achieving the higher standard across all three subjects. Progress scores are not available for the current cohort, so it is difficult to gauge how much value the school adds, but the reading average score of 106 suggests solid foundations in literacy.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment with a sports hall, ICT suite, art studios, music rooms and even a chapel. Sports provision is strong, including cricket, swimming, cross country, gymnastics, tennis and football, and there are clubs for coding, chess, choir and film club. SEND support is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. This breadth suggests the school can accommodate a wide range of additional needs. For families considering Purleigh, the key takeaway is a community-focused primary that is heavily oversubscribed, with solid if not outstanding academic results, and a strong reputation for pupil behaviour. It suits families who prioritise a calm, well-behaved environment and a broad range of activities over top-tier exam scores.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Purleigh Community Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents