St Edward's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

About St Edward's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

St Edward's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a popular choice in Havering, and the numbers back that up. With 662 pupils on roll against a capacity of 630, the school is operating slightly above its intended size, a clear sign of local demand. That demand is reflected in the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 171 applications for 81 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.11 applicants per place. 77 of those offers went to first-preference families, so getting a spot here is competitive. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 12.7%, which is below the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively advantaged intake compared with many schools nationally. As a Church of England school, it has a religious character, though the data doesn't specify any particular admissions criteria tied to faith. The school also offers nursery provision for children from age two, giving families a potential entry point before Reception.

Academically, St Edward's performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Havering local authority average of 65%. The school ranks 17th out of 49 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the top half locally and within the top 50 nationally by this metric. At the higher standard, 15% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three subjects. Individual subject scores are solid: average scaled scores of 106 in both reading and maths, with 79% of pupils meeting the expected standard in each. Writing is a particular strength, with 82% reaching the expected level and 16% working at greater depth. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2024 was a section 8 (ungraded) visit, but inspectors awarded Outstanding grades across all five graded areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is an upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2015.

The school is well equipped to support a wide range of needs. Facilities include a sensory room, a forest school area, a chapel, a library and an ICT suite, alongside playing fields and a gymnasium. There is a dedicated SEN unit, and the school lists provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health support, and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent views are overwhelmingly positive: 91% of respondents would recommend the school, and 85% strongly agreed that their child is happy there. Strong majorities also felt their child is safe, well-behaved, and has access to a good range of clubs and activities, including choir, coding, drama and science club. For families in Havering, particularly those seeking a Church of England primary with strong academic outcomes and a clear track record of meeting SEND needs, St Edward's is a compelling option — though securing a place will require a first-preference application given the oversubscription.

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