What did Ofsted judge St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in June 2024, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree?

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree has 203 pupils on roll.

What ages does St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree take?

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree admits pupils aged 4 to 11.

Where is St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree located?

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree is located in Braintree, CM7 2SY, Essex.

How do I apply to St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree?

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree have a religious character?

Yes — St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree has a religious character of Roman Catholic. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How far from St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree were places offered?

The furthest place offered at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree for 2025-26 (Reception) was 1.013 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

How are Reception places decided at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree?

When St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree has more applications than places for 2026-27, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children and Children Previously Looked After from outside England who immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order and who are a baptised Catholic or from a Catholic family; 2. Practising Catholic children in named parishes — Baptised Catholic children resident in the Parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Braintree, Our Lady and St Anne Line, Dunmow and St Francis of Assisi, Halstead, where one or both parents are known to be regularly attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, as evidenced by the ‘Certificate of Practice’ which can be provided by the Priest; 3. Non-practising Catholic children in named parishes — Baptised Catholic children of non-practising parents resident in the Parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Braintree, St Anne Line, Dunmow and St Francis of Assisi, Halstead, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Ties are settled by a. Applicants with a sibling already in the school at the time of admission shall have priority within the category in which they fall. b. Applicants who live nearer to the school as measured by straight line distance shall have priority within the category in which they fall. All straight line distances are calculated electronically by the LA using data provided jointly by the Post Office and Ordnance Survey.

What is the largest ethnic background at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 43.3% of pupils at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree

How far did offers reach?

1.013miles

was the furthest place offered for 2025-26 (Reception). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree, year by year →

How places are decided at St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked After / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children and Children Previously Looked After from outside England who immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order and who are a baptised Catholic or from a Catholic family.
2Practising Catholic children in named parishes — Baptised Catholic children resident in the Parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Braintree, Our Lady and St Anne Line, Dunmow and St Francis of Assisi, Halstead, where one or both parents are known to be regularly attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, as evidenced by the ‘Certificate of Practice’ which can be provided by the Priest.
3Non-practising Catholic children in named parishes — Baptised Catholic children of non-practising parents resident in the Parishes of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Braintree, St Anne Line, Dunmow and St Francis of Assisi, Halstead.
4Children of Catholic teaching staff — Baptised Catholic children of teaching staff who do not fall under the above criteria but have; a. been employed at the school for two years or more at the time of application for the school place or b. the member of staff has been recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5Other Looked After Children — Other Looked After Children or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order.
6Other Christian denominations — Other Christian denominations desirous of obtaining a Christian education for their child provided that such application is supported, in writing, by the appropriate Minister of Religion.
7Any other applications — Any other applications.

If two applications tie: a. Applicants with a sibling already in the school at the time of admission shall have priority within the category in which they fall. b. Applicants who live nearer to the school as measured by straight line distance shall have priority within the category in which they fall. All straight line distances are calculated electronically by the LA using data provided jointly by the Post Office and Ordnance Survey.

This school requires a Supplementary Information Form to be completed. This school holds a waiting list for all year groups which is reviewed annually.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.