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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 115289

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford

Voluntary aided school · Chelmsford · CM1 1PA

Ages 4–11 · 314 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

KS2 expected (RWM)

71%

Overall absence

4.1%

Admissions demand

1.09 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-03-03

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)71%
Higher standard (RWM)11%
Avg scaled score — reading
109.0
Avg scaled score — maths
108.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
109.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)8.0%
Unauthorised0.7%
Authorised absence
3.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.4%
Enrolments in measure
276

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

1.09 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

49

Places offered

45

1st-preference offers

41

Total preferences (any rank)
103
Preferred offers (top 3)
45
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 fill100%

314 pupils · 315 places

Pupils on roll
314
Boys / girls
152 / 162
School capacity
315
Capacity fill
314 / 315 (100%)
Free school meals
7.3%
FSM pupils
23
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Chelmsford
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary aided school
Headteacher
Mrs Gemma Smith

Location

Address
Victoria Road, The Cathedral C of E primary
Postcode
CM1 1PA
Town
Chelmsford
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Chelmsford
Constituency
Chelmsford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed voluntary aided school (primary), Ages 4–11, in Chelmsford, Essex, 314 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 7.3%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Chelmsford.

Open schools in Chelmsford
84
Primary schools in Chelmsford
56
Academies among open schools in Chelmsford
48% (40)
Open schools in CM1
33
Primary in CM1
18
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 ChelmsfordNear CM1

  • Trinity Road Primary School

    Ofsted: Some aspects not as strong

    Community school · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM2 6HS · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS247%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM26.9%
    • Demand0.89

    0.4 miles away

  • Maltese Road Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM1 2PA · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS267%
    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM12.8%
    • Demand1.10

    0.6 miles away

  • Oaklands Infant School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM2 9PH · Essex

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM7.1%
    • Demand0.96

    0.8 miles away

  • Kings Road Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM1 2BB · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS263%
    • Absence7.6%
    • FSM34.0%
    • Demand0.78

    0.9 miles away

  • The Tyrrells School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM1 6JN · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS282%
    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM11.0%
    • Demand0.90

    1.0 miles away

  • Perryfields Junior School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM1 7PP · Essex

    Ages 7–11

    • KS292%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM9.6%

    1.0 miles away

  • Perryfields Infant School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM1 7PP · Essex

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM3.3%
    • Demand0.92

    1.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Gemma Smith
Telephone
01245354459
Website
http://www.cathedralschool.co.uk

Official links