St Helen's Catholic Infant & Nursery School
Sawyers Hall Lane, St. Helens Rc Infant School, Brentwood, CM15 9BYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Helen's Catholic Infant & Nursery School is a primary school in Brentwood for ages 3 to 7. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 March 2024, report published 25 April 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 March 2024
St Helen's ethos is 'the school is there to serve the children'. Pupils benefit from the relentless drive of all leaders to ensure every pupil succeeds. It is a very inclusive school where pupils are taught in a loving and caring atmosphere. Pupils show the values of kindness and consideration in abundance. Pupils study a highly ambitious curriculum, which starts in the early years. They work hard without interruptions or distraction. Attitudes towards learning are overwhelmingly positive. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported exceptionally well. Pupils are successful because leaders and staff are highly tuned in to pupils' needs. Pupils' behaviour is excellent at all times. The high levels of respect seen throughout the school are learned in the early years. The school is calm and purposeful. Pupils know they are very safe while at school. The quality of pupils' personal development is striking. The school plans carefully how clubs, trips and visits enrich the curriculum and enhance pupils' well-being and develop their character. Pupils enjoy attending clubs such as Spanish, karate and sewing. They are proud to help serve lunch to local parishioners and entertain them. This volunteering allows pupils to become caring and responsible citizens.
What the school should improve
- A few pupils who find reading tricky do not always practise their reading using books that are matched closely enough to their phonics knowledge. These pupils do not apply known reading strategies independently. This limits the rate that these few pupils become confident and fluent readers. The school should continue to support all staff to have the expertise to select appropriate books and techniques to help these weakest readers catch up as quickly as they should.
Pupil numbers and mix
173 pupils on roll, with places for 206
Schools near St Helen's Catholic Infant & Nursery School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Helen's Catholic Junior School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 78% met the expected standard |
| St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Aided Primary School, Brentwood | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| Shenfield St. Mary's Church of England Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 93% met the expected standard |
| Larchwood Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 66% met the expected standard |
| Hogarth Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 65% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 7
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Amanda McAuliffe
- Phone
- 01277215626
- Address
- Sawyers Hall Lane, St. Helens Rc Infant School, Brentwood, CM15 9BY
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 115307
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.