Bawdeswell Community Primary School

About Bawdeswell Community Primary School

Bawdeswell Community Primary School is a popular choice among local families, with its most recent admissions data for the 2025/26 intake showing it was oversubscribed by a ratio of 3.3 to one. The school received 33 applications for just 10 available places, and all 10 first-preference applicants were offered a spot, indicating strong local demand. Parent satisfaction appears high, though specific survey data isn't available in the school's records. The school has clearly turned a corner under headteacher Jennie Sage: its most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 awarded a Good rating across all five categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This marks a significant improvement from its previous inspection in January 2020, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. With 90 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, there is some room for growth, but the oversubscription figures suggest that families are keen to secure a place here.

Academically, the picture is mixed. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 22% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is well below the Norfolk local authority average of 52%. The school's ranking within Breckland places it 37th out of 43 primary schools, and nationally it sits in the bottom 50% of schools for this combined measure. However, individual subject results tell a more nuanced story: 78% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, with 11% reaching the higher standard, and the average reading score was 105. Maths was weaker, with 44% at expected and an average score of 97, while writing saw just 22% at expected. The school's Ofsted report notes that the quality of education is now Good, suggesting that teaching and curriculum have improved since the Requires Improvement rating, but the exam data indicates that translating this into strong outcomes is still a work in progress.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for a small rural primary, including a library, playing fields, sports hall, music rooms, an outdoor playground, a sensory room, and even a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, gymnastics, cricket, netball, and football, while extracurricular clubs include gardening, book club, and coding. For children with additional needs, the school provides support for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication difficulties. With 32.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. Bawdeswell is a non-denominational state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 5 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision. It will suit families who value a small, improving village school with strong community ties and a recent Ofsted upgrade, but who are realistic about current academic performance relative to local averages.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Bawdeswell Community Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents