Craneswater Junior School

About Craneswater Junior School

Craneswater Junior School is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11 in Portsmouth, and it is currently oversubscribed. The school has 506 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, which suggests strong local demand for places. Its intake reflects a higher-than-average level of disadvantage: 26.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with the national primary average of around 24%. This context matters when interpreting the school’s performance, as schools with higher FSM proportions often face additional challenges. The school is non-denominational and mixed, and its headteacher is David Jones. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, carried out in 2013, the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed that the school remains Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2010, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

Academically, Craneswater performs solidly within the Portsmouth local authority. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 57% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the Portsmouth LA average of 53%. The school ranks 12th out of 32 primary schools in the area, placing it in the top half locally. Looking at individual subjects, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, 70% in maths and 70% in writing. Higher attainment is more limited: just 2% achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, though 30% reached that level in reading and 22% in maths. Average scaled scores were 106 in reading and 104 in maths, both slightly above the national benchmark of 100. The school does not have published progress scores for reading, writing or maths, so it is not possible to measure how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for a junior school, including an ICT suite, library, sports hall, playing fields, art studios and a sensory room. There is also a chapel on site. Clubs include choir, gardening, drama, film club and eco club, while sports provision covers football, cricket, cross country and rounders. For families with children who have additional needs, Craneswater lists SEND support for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social and emotional mental health needs, visual impairment and other difficulties. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form. Given its oversubscription, parents should ensure they apply early through Portsmouth’s admissions process. This school will suit families looking for a well-regarded local junior school with a broad curriculum and good SEND support, set in a community with above-average levels of disadvantage.

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