Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School
School Lane, Essendon, AL9 6HDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School is a primary school in Essendon for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 277th of 332 primary schools in Hertfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 April 2013, report published 13 May 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 20 July 2022
Pupils quickly learn and live up to the school's values, encapsulated in the 'Essendon Way'. Pupils behave with tolerance and respect, showing the love for others that ties in with the Christian ethos of the school. As a result, bullying is rare. When it does happen, it is dealt with sensitively. Pupils learn about the different types of families. They get to experience stories and books from around the world. Pupils feel happy and safe to have different lifestyles and outlooks on life. Pupils enjoy and benefit from enrichment opportunities such as educational visits and residential trips. They also learn new interests by participating in a range of clubs. There are lots of leadership opportunities, such as being one of the 'eco warriors' who have secured pupils' commitment to recycling. Pupils experience a full curriculum and have access to lots of books. Most pupils develop a love of reading and live up to teachers' high expectations of what they can achieve.
What the school should improve
- A minority of subjects are alternated and are not taught every week. Pupils sometimes forget between lessons what they have learned in the past. Teachers need to ensure they support pupils to connect what they have learned in the past with new learning.
- Some of the provision in early years lacks the same rigour as the rest of the school and is not as well matched to need. As a result, some pupils do not learn to read and write as well. Leaders need to ensure that provision in early years is well matched to needs, and pupils achieve high-quality learning, especially in literacy.
- Leaders' extra support for a minority of pupils involves those pupils coming out of some lesson time. As a result, these pupils miss out on some parts of the curriculum. Leaders need to ensure that all pupils are able to access the full curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
12 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
77 pupils on roll, with places for 115
Schools near Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 23% met the expected standard |
| Commonswood Primary & Nursery School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Hertingfordbury Cowper Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 76% met the expected standard |
| Ponsbourne St Mary's Church of England Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 83% met the expected standard |
| Watchlytes Primary School | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 76% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Lesley Brennan
- Phone
- 01707261209
- Address
- School Lane, Essendon, AL9 6HD
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 117393
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.