Sheering Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Sheering Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Sheering Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School draws a notably mixed picture from its parent community. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering responses from 22 families between September 2024 and September 2025, 64% said they would recommend the school to other parents. That figure is worth weighing against the school’s oversubscription data: for its 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 20 applications for just 7 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.86. Only 4 of those applications were first-preference choices, which suggests that while demand exists, it may come more from families who didn’t get their top pick elsewhere. On specific questions, parents were broadly positive about happiness and safety — 90% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, and 91% felt their child is safe. But behaviour was a sticking point: 41% disagreed or strongly disagreed that the school ensures pupils are well behaved, and only 18% agreed that bullying is dealt with quickly and effectively.

Academically, the school’s most recent Key Stage 2 results, from the 2023/24 academic year, place it firmly at the bottom of the local league table. Just 33% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Essex local authority average of 62%. That puts Sheering in the bottom 50 nationally, ranking 359th out of 444 similar schools in the county. Individual subject scores tell a slightly more nuanced story: 60% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, and 53% in writing, but maths was weaker at 47%. No pupils reached the higher standard across all three subjects, though 33% did so in reading. The school’s Ofsted rating, following an inspection in April 2025, is Requires Improvement overall, with behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and quality of education all graded as Requires Improvement. Early years provision and personal development were both rated Good.

The school is a small, Church of England primary in Epping Forest, with 86 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105. It offers a sensory room, music rooms, a chapel, playing fields and a sports hall, plus clubs including choir, science club, eco club and drama. Sports on offer include cricket, gymnastics, athletics, cross country and dance. The school’s SEND provisions cover moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication support — though the Parent View data on SEND support was inconclusive, with no responses recorded for that question. With 27.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake. This is a school that will suit families who value its small size and Christian character, but the combination of a Requires Improvement Ofsted rating and very low academic outcomes means it is one to investigate carefully, particularly around behaviour and teaching quality.

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