The Westborough School

About The Westborough School

The Westborough School is a state primary in Southend-on-Sea, a local authority where just three of 33 primary schools currently hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. The school sits 13th out of 25 primaries in the LA when ranked by the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 — a mid-table position that places it in the bottom half of schools nationally. Its closest top-performing peers, according to local rankings, are Bournes Green Junior School, Darlinghurst Academy and St Helen's Catholic Primary School, all of which score higher on the same metric. For families looking at alternatives, the nearest Outstanding-rated school is Barons Court Primary School and Nursery, less than a kilometre away. Westborough itself was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2021. The inspection report highlighted Outstanding early years provision, with Good marks across leadership, behaviour, personal development and the quality of education.

At Key Stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 60% of Westborough pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths — almost exactly in line with the LA average of 61%. That figure places the school in the bottom 50% nationally, though individual subject results tell a more nuanced story. In maths, 76% of pupils reached the expected standard and 21% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 105. Reading saw 72% at expected and 24% at the higher level, with an average score of 104. Writing was similarly strong, with 76% meeting expectations and 16% reaching the higher standard. Only 10% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects combined, which is a relatively low figure. Progress scores for reading, writing and maths were not published, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. The school’s ranking score of 60, based on the expected standard metric, reflects solid but not exceptional academic outcomes compared with other primaries in the East of England.

The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 94 applications for 52 places and 40 first-preference offers made — an oversubscription ratio of 1.81. This suggests strong local demand, despite the school’s middling academic rank. Facilities include a Forest School, library, playing fields, gymnasium and art studios, and the school offers a broad range of sports including swimming, dance, cricket, netball, cross country and football. Clubs cover book club, drama and chess. The school has a nursery provision for children from age three, and its SEND provision is well-documented, supporting pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. With 31.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average disadvantage. It will suit families who value a Good-rated school with strong early years provision, a broad extracurricular offer and a clear improvement trajectory from its previous inspection.

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