Runwell Community Primary School

About Runwell Community Primary School

Runwell Community Primary School has a mixed picture when it comes to parent experience. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, only 42% of the 122 respondents said they would recommend the school to other parents, while 58% said they would not. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 72 applications for 41 places, giving a ratio of 1.76 applicants per place. However, all 38 first-preference applicants were offered a spot. On specific questions, views were divided: 67% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, and 54% felt the same about safety, but 34% strongly disagreed that the school ensures pupils are well behaved. When it comes to handling concerns, 34% agreed or strongly agreed they are dealt with properly, while 46% disagreed or strongly disagreed. For SEND support, 36% agreed or strongly agreed the school provides what's needed, against 60% who disagreed or strongly disagreed.

Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2024 rated it Good overall, though behaviour and attitudes were judged as Requires improvement. This is a change from its previous Good rating in 2014. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 40% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well below the Essex local authority average of 62%. The school ranks 40th out of 41 primary schools in Chelmsford on this measure, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. Looking at individual subjects, 69% reached the expected standard in reading, 58% in writing, and 49% in maths. Higher attainment was low: just 2% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined. Average scores were 102 in reading and 100 in maths.

The school offers a range of facilities including playing fields, a library, music rooms, art studios, a gymnasium, an ICT suite, a forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include gymnastics, swimming, cricket and rounders, and there are clubs for drama, choir and chess. The school has a nursery provision for children aged 2 and has a capacity of 420 pupils, currently with 419 on roll. It provides support for a wide range of SEND needs, including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional mental health, speech and language communication, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. Given the mixed parent feedback and below-average academic outcomes, this school may suit families who prioritise its broad facilities and SEND provisions, but those focused on high academic attainment or strong behaviour ratings may want to explore other options.

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