Coalway Junior School

About Coalway Junior School

Coalway Junior School is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11, located in the Forest of Dean area of Gloucestershire. Within its local authority, it sits 11th out of 39 primary schools, placing it comfortably in the top third of its peers. The top-performing schools in the same area include Meysey Hampton Church of England Primary School and Temple Guiting Church of England School, both of which achieved the highest possible ranking score of 100, followed by Thrupp School with a score of 95. Coalway’s own ranking score of 62 reflects solid, if not exceptional, performance. The school is rated Good by Ofsted across all categories in its most recent inspection in 2023, a rating it has held consistently since its previous inspection in 2013. With 211 pupils against a capacity of 240, the school is not oversubscribed, and it serves a community where 30.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, above the national average.

Academically, Coalway’s Key Stage 2 results for the 2023/24 year show a mixed picture. 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is slightly above the local authority average of 59%. However, only 3% reached the higher standard in all three subjects. In individual subjects, reading was the strongest area, with 79% reaching the expected standard and 28% achieving a higher score. Maths followed with 72% at the expected level and 16% at the higher level, while writing saw 78% at the expected standard and 17% at the higher level. Average scaled scores were 105 in reading and 103 in maths, both in line with national averages. The school does not publish progress scores for any subject, so it is not possible to assess how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points. Nationally, Coalway ranks in the 52nd percentile among all primaries, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack.

The school offers a decent range of facilities including a library, sports hall, ICT suite, music rooms, art studios, and a dining hall, plus playing fields. Sports on offer include athletics, swimming, dance and cross country, while clubs include Eco Club, Film Club and Gardening. For pupils with additional needs, the school provides support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and physical disabilities. There is no nursery or sixth form provision, and the school is not a boarding school. Coalway is a good fit for families in the Forest of Dean who want a solid, well-rated local primary with a broad curriculum and a range of extracurricular activities, particularly those who value a school that is not oversubscribed and serves a diverse intake.

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