St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree Review 2026: High attainment, clear Catholic identity, and competitive Reception entry

Outcomes at the end of primary are a defining strength here, and the 2024 data is unusually emphatic. In 2024, 91.67% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%.

Depth is also strong. At the higher standard, 42.67% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%. This is the sort of statistic that often signals a cohort with a high proportion of confident readers and mathematicians, plus a writing culture where accuracy and structure are taught explicitly rather than left to chance.

Scaled scores reinforce the picture. In 2024, the average scaled score was 110 in reading and 108 in mathematics (with 110 in grammar, punctuation and spelling). Expected-standard attainment by subject was also high: 93% in reading, 89% in mathematics, 89% in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 96% in science.

On the FindMySchool ranking (based on official outcomes), the school is ranked 749th in England for primary outcomes and 1st in the Braintree local area. This places it well above the England average, within the top 10% of schools in England.

Parents comparing local options should use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tool to view these measures side by side, particularly the higher-standard figure, which can vary sharply between otherwise similar schools.

A high-attainment profile is most sustainable when curriculum sequencing and classroom routines support consistency across year groups. The 2024 Ofsted inspection report notes subject deep dives in early reading, mathematics, computing and geography, which gives a clue as to where leaders are placing scrutiny and development time.

Early reading matters disproportionately in a primary’s overall outcomes, because it sets the pace for writing quality, access to the wider curriculum, and confidence in independent study. The implication for families is straightforward: pupils who arrive with average early language often benefit from a setting where reading instruction is systematic and ambitious, while pupils who already read fluently are more likely to be stretched through comprehension and wider curriculum texts.

Faith education is treated as a core element rather than an add-on. The Catholic Schools Inspectorate report outlines structured approaches to religious education, including the expectation that pupils can use subject vocabulary and reflect on how learning connects to daily life. The practical implication is that families choosing this school should be comfortable with religious education being treated with parity to other subjects, and with prayer and liturgy forming a normal part of the week.

For a Catholic primary, “next steps” is usually about fit, travel, and whether families want a Catholic secondary pathway. The school’s published Catholic community links reference local Catholic secondary options, and earlier diocesan reporting notes established links with a Catholic secondary school that most pupils transfer to at the end of Key Stage 2.

For families who are undecided about secondary destinations, the practical takeaway is that this primary is likely to suit those who want continuity of ethos into Key Stage 3, while still keeping mainstream Essex secondary routes open. If a particular secondary is a priority, it is sensible to check that school’s admissions criteria early, as secondary faith and distance rules can be materially different from primary.

Reception entry is coordinated through Essex’s admissions process, with a Published Admission Number of 30 places. The school’s own admissions timetable for the 2026 intake is unusually clear and date-specific, which is helpful for families juggling parish documentation.

For September 2026 entry, the school states that the local authority application process opens in November 2025, with open mornings scheduled for 11 November 2025 and 19 November 2025 (both at 9.15am). The closing date for applications is 15 January 2026. The governing body admissions committee reviews paperwork and ranks applicants on 12 February 2026, and Essex releases offers on 16 April 2026.

This is also a faith school in admissions terms, not only in ethos. The school requests a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) alongside the local authority application, and notes that a baptismal certificate (where available) and a priest reference or Certificate of Catholic Practice can support an application under faith criteria. For Catholic families, the key implication is that the administrative steps need planning, particularly around parish certification timing. For non-Catholic families, the implication is to read the admissions criteria carefully and be realistic about how criteria ordering may affect the likelihood of a place in oversubscribed years.

Demand is meaningful. In the most recent available admissions results, there were 47 applications for 23 offers, 2.04 applications per place, and the route is recorded as oversubscribed. Competition for places is the limiting factor for many families, even before faith criteria are considered.

Parents who are considering a move should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check practical proximity and understand the pattern of local demand around Great Notley, while remembering that admissions outcomes vary year to year.

Pastoral culture here is closely tied to the school’s Catholic life, and that can be a genuine advantage for families who want a values-led environment. Formal evaluation points to strong community belonging, with emphasis on pupils feeling safe and included.

Safeguarding leadership is clearly signposted, with the headteacher named as the designated safeguarding lead and supported by senior colleagues. The practical implication is that escalation routes for concerns are explicit, which tends to support a calmer parent experience when issues arise.

A further point is the school’s pattern of pupil responsibility. Groups such as the Young Franciscans and Laudato Si’ provide structured routes for leadership and service. For some pupils, that is where confidence grows fastest, especially when they prefer purposeful group roles to performance-based recognition.

This is not a school that presents extracurricular life as a generic menu of clubs. Instead, it highlights several distinctive strands that are rooted in Catholic social teaching and community action, then uses galleries and project examples to show what pupils actually do.

The Laudato Si’ group is a strong example. It is presented as a regular group that plans initiatives to raise awareness of environmental issues, with projects including battery recycling drives and tree planting (including 20 trees planted on school grounds as part of a wider initiative). The educational implication is that sustainability is treated as applied learning, not just a topic in a unit of work.

The Young Franciscans strand is similarly concrete, tying prayer to action. Examples include community-facing Advent activity, charitable collections delivered through the local parish, and visits to sing carols and deliver cards. For pupils, the practical benefit is that “service” becomes a normal part of school identity, which can be especially motivating for children who thrive on social purpose.

Physical spaces support this culture. The Peace Garden, opened on 11 May 2018, is described as a focal point for prayer and used for individual and class prayer, as well as whole-school gatherings such as the annual May Procession. That matters because it makes faith practice visible and routine for pupils, rather than being confined to assemblies.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still plan for the usual primary costs such as uniform, trips, and optional clubs where applicable.

The school day runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday. Breakfast club starts from 7.45am and is described as a supervised breakfast with games and activities before the school day begins. The school also states that it does not provide its own after-school care, but signposts local providers who collect from the playground.

Term dates for 2025 to 2026 are published on the school website, including INSET days in early September and a 1.30pm finish at the end of the autumn and summer terms.

For travel, the setting is in Great Notley, close to central Braintree. For rail commuting families, Braintree station is the nearest station option for the town. Day-to-day drop-off and pick-up practicality is always highly local, so families should sanity-check walking routes, pavement safety, and parking expectations during an open morning.

• Admissions administration for Catholic criteria. Families applying under faith criteria are expected to complete a Supplementary Information Form and supply supporting documentation by the published deadline. This is manageable, but it is not last-minute friendly.

• Oversubscription. Demand exceeds places and competition is often the deciding factor. Families should plan a realistic set of preferences and avoid relying on a single outcome.

• Faith integration is real. Prayer, liturgy, and Catholic social teaching are threaded through enrichment groups and the wider life of the school. That will feel natural to some families and less comfortable to others.

This is a high-performing Catholic primary with a clear, lived ethos and an attainment profile that places it well above England averages. It suits families who want a faith-shaped education, strong academic outcomes at Key Stage 2, and a community culture where service and responsibility are normal expectations. The primary hurdle is admission, particularly for Reception in oversubscribed years and for families who are not applying under Catholic criteria.