The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School
99%
Capacity
207
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School
The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Colchester community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 207 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Toby Bull, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 53% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 9822nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 36th out of 51 in Colchester.
The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 52 applications for 19 places, making it 2.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 19 were first-preference applications.
The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 91% recommending the school (79 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School include ICT Suite, Library, Gymnasium, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Football, Tennis, Rounders and 1 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Chess, Science Club, Art Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 15.5%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Colchester, The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Coach Road, Colchester, Colchester, CO6 4AT |
| Headteacher | Toby Bull |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 207 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 15.5% |
| School Capacity | 207 / 210 (99% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 30 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (53%)
9822nd of 13,686
Nationally
1082nd of 1,612
In East of England
36th of 51
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
53%
Expected Standard
10%
Higher Standard
'22/23
57%
'23/24
53%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
79 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
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
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed19
52
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
19 families put this school as their 1st choice (37% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School
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
Coach Road, Colchester
Colchester, CO6 4AT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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