The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has demonstrated strong performance across various areas, with pupils achieving above-average outcomes in national tests and developing excellent verbal communication skills. The school's comprehensive curriculum supports pupils in gaining a deep understanding of topics, while their high attendance rates and exceptional behavior contribute to a positive learning environment. Additionally, the leaders' focus on safeguarding ensures that pupils feel safe and valued, describing the school as an 'oasis'. The support and proactive measures for pupils with special educational needs are notable strengths, although there are challenges in adapting strategies effectively for certain groups, particularly disadvantaged pupils. Despite the overall strong performance, the school must address areas for improvement, particularly in enhancing the precision of data analysis related to school performance and ensuring that staff development is adjusted to meet the changing context of pupils' needs more effectively. The leadership team is actively working on these aspects to further improve the educational experiences provided to all students.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve highly with above-average outcomes in national tests.
• Strong verbal communication skills among pupils.
• Well-designed curriculum that promotes deep understanding.
• High levels of respect and self-discipline among pupils.
• Effective safeguarding measures leading to a safe environment.
• Proactive leaders who understand and respond to the community's needs.

Areas for Improvement

• Need for more precise data analysis to close attainment gaps.
• Staff development not fully responsive to changing pupil needs.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford attended 96.1% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 7.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.3% of pupils at The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford had 21.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 9.9% of pupils at The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 1.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford received £6,545 and spent £6,213 for each of its 314 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £284,000 (£906 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford last inspected by Ofsted?

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford have?

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford has 314 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford cover?

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford?

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford is at Victoria Road, The Cathedral C of E primary, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1PA.