Lift Hamford
Elm Tree Avenue, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8TEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Lift Hamford is a primary school in Walton on the Naze for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 327th of 387 primary schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 November 2022, report published 16 January 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 15 November 2022
Pupils enjoy school life at Hamford Primary Academy. The school is a calm, safe and orderly place for pupils to learn and be with their friends. Children in early years settle in quickly when they join the school. They learn school routines and how to be kind to one another. On the whole, pupils behave well. Adults teach pupils to respect each other's differences. Pupils know that some of their peers need extra support with their behaviour and 'this is okay'. There are people and places for pupils to go to if they are worried. Pupils trust adults to help resolve friendship issues or bullying. Pupils say that bullying is dealt with much better than it was in the past. Pupils value the unique rewards for good attendance and behaviour, such as winning an opportunity to look after 'Harriet' the school hamster. Pupils compete to win a book in the 'reading raffle'. All pupils access a range of exciting school clubs and trips, for instance a trip to London to see the crown jewels. Pupils are proud of how they can help improve the school through being part of the school council or the 'junior leadership team'. They can, for example, choose new books for each classroom's 'book corner'.
What the school should improve
- A small number of curriculum plans still need further work to organise knowledge in a logical order. While leaders have started to make changes, this work is very recent. As a result, pupils do not recall knowledge as easily in these areas. Leaders should ensure all curriculum plans are well sequenced and implemented consistently across the school.
- Some teachers do not use the improved curriculum plans effectively. As a result, they sometimes choose activities that do not help pupils to understand and remember new knowledge. In these instances, pupils find learning more difficult. Leaders should ensure all teachers have the right training to enable them to teach all subjects consistently well.
- A small number of pupils, including those with SEND, are still persistently absent from school. They are missing out on their school experience. Leaders need to work more closely with parents to ensure all pupils, including those with SEND, attend school regularly.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
66 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
393 pupils on roll, with places for 280
Schools near Lift Hamford
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frinton-on-Sea Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 47% met the expected standard |
| St Philomena's School | 0.8 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Kirby Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| Walton on the Naze Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
| Holland Haven Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LIFT SCHOOLS
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Noelene Vorster
- Phone
- 01255673415
- Address
- Elm Tree Avenue, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8TE
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 138072
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.