Dormers Wells Primary School

About Dormers Wells Primary School

Dormers Wells Primary School sits squarely on the Ealing average for the key headline metric of Key Stage 2, with 71% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths — exactly matching the local authority average for primary schools. That places it 36th out of 65 primaries in the borough, a solidly mid-table position. But dig a little deeper and the picture becomes more interesting. The school significantly outperforms on maths, where 87% of pupils hit the expected standard, and 31% reached the higher standard — both well above what you might expect from a school with 38.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, a figure nearly double the national average. Reading and writing expected rates are also strong at 82% and 85% respectively. The school’s overall ranking score of 71 puts it in the top 50% nationally, and it sits just outside Ealing’s top 30 primaries.

The most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2022 judged the school Good overall, a remarkable turnaround from its previous inspection in 2016 when it was rated Inadequate. Behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, both received Outstanding grades — the highest possible. Leadership and management, and the quality of education, were both rated Good. The inspection report noted that the school had improved significantly under the leadership of headteacher Toni George. At Key Stage 2, the average scaled scores in reading and maths were both 106, and 15% of pupils reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined. While the school doesn’t publish Progress 8 scores for primary, the raw attainment data suggests a school that is doing a solid job for its cohort, particularly given the high proportion of disadvantaged pupils.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 137 applications for just 49 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.8 to 1. All 47 first-preference applicants were offered places, but anyone listing it second or lower would have had no chance. The school has a nursery provision and caters for children from age 3 to 11. Facilities include a sensory room, forest school area, art studios, library, gymnasium and playing fields. The school offers a wide range of clubs including coding, drama, gardening and film club, and sports include swimming, cricket, dance, rounders, football and tennis. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. This is a school that suits families looking for a large, well-resourced primary with strong pastoral care and a proven track record of improvement, particularly those who can secure a first-preference place.

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