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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Not judgedURN 147255

Acorn Academy

Academy converter · Witham · CM8 1NA

Ages 3–7 · 196 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Overall absence

6.2%

Admissions demand

0.98 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2024-12-17

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence6.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.1%
Unauthorised1.9%
Authorised absence
4.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
174

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.98 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

52

Places offered

54

1st-preference offers

52

Total preferences (any rank)
83
Preferred offers (top 3)
53
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill73%

196 pupils · 270 places

Pupils on roll
196
Boys / girls
100 / 96
School capacity
270
Capacity fill
196 / 270 (73%)
Free school meals
24.1%
FSM pupils
45
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 3–7

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

  • NurseryHas Nursery Classes
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: BRIDGE ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
BRIDGE ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Bridge Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Cheryl Noble

Location

Address
Spa Road
Postcode
CM8 1NA
Town
Witham
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Braintree
Constituency
Witham
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
13 on roll / 12 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 3–7, in Witham, Essex, 196 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy, special school. Free school meals: 24.1%. SEN provision includes: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication.

Open schools in Witham
15
Primary schools in Witham
11
Academies among open schools in Witham
73% (11)
Open schools in CM8
16
Primary in CM8
11
Open schools in Essex LA
612
Primary in Essex LA
444

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in WithamNear CM8

  • Witham Oaks Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Witham · CM8 1NA · Essex

    Ages 7–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM31.0%

    0.0 miles away

  • Templars Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Witham · CM8 2NJ · Essex

    Ages 2–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence8.4%
    • FSM26.7%
    • Demand0.85

    0.8 miles away

  • Elm Hall Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Witham · CM8 2SD · Essex

    Ages 3–11

    • KS277%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM16.6%
    • Demand1.80

    1.1 miles away

  • Howbridge Infant School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Witham · CM8 1DJ · Essex

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence7.2%
    • FSM23.0%
    • Demand0.93

    1.1 miles away

  • Chipping Hill Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Witham · CM8 1FR · Essex

    Ages 5–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM9.7%
    • Demand1.10

    1.2 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Cheryl Noble
Telephone
01376512605
Website
www.acornacademy.net

Official links