Highfields Primary School, Manningtree Review 2026: Elite KS2 outcomes with a calm, purposeful culture

Curiosity, creativity, collaboration and care sit at the centre of Highfields’ public message, and the day to day experience appears to match the intent. Pupils are described as achieving exceptionally well across subjects, supported by clear routines and high expectations that start early.

The latest Ofsted inspection (15 to 16 November 2022) confirmed the school continues to be Outstanding, with safeguarding judged effective.

For families focused on outcomes, the results data is compelling. Based on the most recent Key Stage 2 measures 90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, and the school sits in the top 2% in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

Highfields presents itself as a school where children are encouraged to explore ideas, enjoy challenge, work cooperatively and show care for others. That matters because values only become meaningful when they shape how pupils behave with each other at breaktime, how classrooms feel during lessons, and how staff respond when children are unsettled.

External evidence points to a settled culture. Classrooms are described as quiet and purposeful, with pupils keen to learn and comfortable asking for help when they do not understand. Behaviour routines are well embedded and consistent across classes, which usually translates into less low level disruption and more learning time, especially in a larger than average primary where consistency can be hard to sustain.

There is also a clear emphasis on personal development and relationships. The school’s published ethos includes themes linked to respect, tolerance and civic understanding, which often show up in PSHE and assemblies, but can also influence how pupils talk about difference and disagreement.

Leadership information available publicly indicates Mrs Tara Marshall is the current headteacher, with the governing body listing her appointment date as 01 January 2025.

Highfields’ Key Stage 2 profile is unusually strong for a state primary.

Headline combined measure (reading, writing and mathematics)

In the most recent published KS2 measures 90% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 41.7% achieved greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%.

Scaled scores and wider markers

The same dataset shows an average reading scaled score of 109 and mathematics of 110, alongside a grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled score of 113. Expected standards are also high across individual subjects, including 95% reaching the expected standard in mathematics and in grammar, punctuation and spelling, and 91% in science.

How this translates into rankings

Ranked 278th in England and 1st in the Manningtree local area for primary outcomes, this places the school among the highest performing in England (top 2%). These positions are FindMySchool rankings based on official data.

For parents comparing options locally, the helpful practical implication is that Highfields appears to combine strong attainment with consistency across subjects, rather than relying on one standout cohort area such as reading alone.

A key feature at Highfields is the early reading approach. The school states it uses Read Write Inc as its phonics programme, teaching synthetic phonics including the 44 common sounds of English and building decoding alongside spelling and handwriting. Pupils typically progress through the scheme’s staged books through Reception and Key Stage 1, moving on to other levelled reading books as decoding and comprehension develop.

Ofsted’s evidence supports the idea that reading is a strategic priority. Children are described as making a strong start in learning to read, with books matched closely to pupils’ phonics stage and a culture where pupils talk about authors and books with real enthusiasm. The implication for families is straightforward, if your child needs a structured, systematic approach to reading, the school’s published practice aligns with what is widely regarded as effective.

Beyond English and mathematics, the curriculum appears planned and structured across subjects, with subject leaders providing staff training and curriculum refinement. For parents, this is a useful indicator because strong outcomes at KS2 tend to be more sustainable when subject leadership is developed rather than dependent on a small number of exceptional class teachers.

Language learning is introduced in Key Stage 2. French is taught once a week for 30 minutes, with additional short practice where possible.

As a state primary, the most relevant “destinations” question is transition into local secondary schools and how well prepared pupils are for the move.

Highfields points families towards Manningtree High School as a next step, signalling an established local pathway even though the exact proportions are not published publicly.

From a readiness perspective, the inspection evidence describes pupils as well prepared for the next stage, with strong personal development and clear learning behaviours. The practical implication is that pupils are likely to arrive at secondary school with well established routines around independence, focus and classroom conduct, which can make the Year 7 transition smoother.

Highfields is a state school, so there are no tuition fees. Entry is coordinated through Essex County Council rather than handled directly by the school.

Demand is clearly higher than supply in the available admissions data. The latest dataset records 124 applications for 45 offers, with an oversubscribed status and a subscription proportion of 2.76 applications per place. Practically, that means many families who put the school as a preference will not receive an offer, and the tie break rules matter.

For September 2026 Reception entry in Essex, the published deadline was 15 January 2026, with offers due on 16 April 2026. If you are applying late, Essex confirms late applications are processed after on time applications.

For families trying to judge likelihood, the most reliable approach is to read the Essex coordinated admissions rules for primary entry, then use the FindMySchool Map Search to check how your home address relates to the school and to likely distance based criteria in your Local Authority. Distance patterns can shift year to year as local demand changes.

Visiting and induction for new starters

For the September intake, Highfields has previously scheduled prospective parent tours in late November and early December, with limited spaces and tours led by the headteacher. Because published dates can fill quickly and can change annually, treat that as an indicator of typical timing and confirm the current schedule on the school website.

Highfields’ pastoral offer has a named structure rather than a generic statement. The school uses the Thrive Approach to support children’s emotional wellbeing, with assessments used to identify emotional development needs and trained Thrive practitioners providing action plans. Sessions can be small group or one to one and include activities such as storytelling, circle games, arts and crafts, sand play, movement and relaxation, role play and games.

There is also an explicit reading confidence element through the school’s reading dog, Jenny, who attends weekly with her handler so pupils can share books in a supported context. This sort of intervention can be especially helpful for pupils who read less confidently aloud or who need encouragement to take risks with fluency and expression.

The inspection evidence reinforces the message that pupils feel safe and that support is available when children want to talk about worries or emotions.

The extracurricular picture is unusually detailed for a primary website, and it gives a good sense of how the school thinks about confidence, participation and inclusion.

Music and performance

There is a KS1 Choir (run by Mrs Cole) that performs at the Summer Evening Concert and a Christmas event at Mistley Church. KS2 Choir is open to Years 4 to 6 and rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 2.30pm to 3.00pm, with community performances including a Christmas concert connected to the Stour Choral Society. A school band rehearses on Wednesday mornings from 8.15am to 8.45am for instrument learners in Years 3 to 6.

Sport and movement

Sports clubs listed include KS2 Football, KS2 Tennis (run by a coach from Dedham Tennis), Tchoukball for KS1 and KS2, and an Acro Dance Club provided by an external organisation.

Creative and interest based clubs

Creative clubs include Gardening Club, plus Spanish Club and Create Club delivered via external organisers.

Inclusive lunchtime provision

Some lunchtime clubs are designed for specific needs and are invitation only. Games Club supports pupils who prefer a quieter environment and enjoy turn taking games, with older pupils trained as “special helpers” for younger children. Fingers and thumbs club, also invitation only, focuses on fine motor development through games and craft activities.

The practical implication for families is that activities are not just enrichment for the most confident pupils. Some clubs are clearly designed to widen access, build social confidence and give children alternative spaces at lunchtime.

The published school day timings (from September 2023) show gates and classrooms open at 8.40am, with registration at 8.50am. Finish times are 3.10pm for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, and 3.15pm for Key Stage 2.

Wraparound care is well defined. Breakfast Club runs daily with entry from 7.45am to 8.00am, with 50 places available each day. The school opened its own after school club in September 2024, running until 5.30pm with 30 places available each day.

For travel, most families will approach via Colchester Road through Lawford and the wider Manningtree area. Parking and drop off patterns vary by street and can change with local traffic management, so it is worth checking timings at a parent tour if you rely on driving.

• Oversubscription is a real constraint. The latest admissions data shows substantially more applications than offers (124 applications for 45 offers). Families should treat this as a competitive option and keep realistic alternatives on their application form.

• Limited capacity in wraparound care. Breakfast Club has 50 places per day and after school club has 30 places per day, so regular users should plan booking routines early, especially in high demand weeks.

• Some clubs are invitation only. Lunchtime provision such as Games Club and Fingers and thumbs club is designed to meet particular needs rather than act as a general sign up activity, which is positive for inclusion but may not be accessible to every pupil.

• Tours can book up quickly. Past intake information shows limited places for prospective parent tours. If visiting matters to your decision, monitor the school’s admissions information early in the autumn term.

Highfields Primary School, Manningtree stands out as a high performing state primary with a clear reading strategy, strong routines and a pastoral offer that includes structured emotional support. The results place it among the strongest in England for primary outcomes, while the extracurricular detail suggests breadth beyond the core.

Best suited to families who want a calm, structured primary experience with consistently high attainment and well organised wraparound care. The main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed admissions picture.