Caversham Primary School

About Caversham Primary School

Caversham Primary School is a state primary in Reading that is running close to its full capacity of 420 pupils, with 406 children currently on roll. The school serves a notably less disadvantaged intake than the national average, with just 4.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals compared to a typical primary figure of around 23%. Demand for places is extremely high: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 215 applications for just 60 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.58. Of those applicants, 62 put Caversham as their first preference, and 57 were offered a place. This level of competition suggests a school that is firmly in demand among local parents, and the fact that it is oversubscribed by more than three-to-one puts it among the most sought-after primaries in the Reading area.

Academically, Caversham performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, against a Reading LA average of 61%. The school ranks 7th out of 38 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the top 20% locally. At the higher standard, 7% of pupils achieved that top tier across all three subjects. Individual subject scores are strong: the average reading score was 109, maths 107, and 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, 83% in maths, and 73% in writing. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2023, awarded a Good rating across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This represents a significant improvement from the previous inspection in November 2022, which had rated the school Inadequate overall.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including playing fields, an outdoor playground, a forest school area, art studios, and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers athletics, dance, swimming, netball, cricket and cross country, while clubs include film club, drama, choir and chess. Caversham also has a chapel on site. Its SEND provision is well-developed, supporting pupils with autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health difficulties, physical disabilities, and other needs. For families considering Caversham, the key takeaway is that this is a high-demand, high-performing school in a relatively affluent catchment. The combination of strong KS2 outcomes, a Good Ofsted rating with clear improvement, and a wide range of enrichment activities makes it a strong contender for parents who can secure a place. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is Emmer Green Primary School, 1.2 km away.

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