Elmlea Junior School

About Elmlea Junior School

Elmlea Junior School is a state primary for pupils aged 7 to 11 in the Bristol, City of local authority, where it ranks 14th out of 85 schools of its type. That places it comfortably inside the top 20% locally, and the school sits among strong company: the top three performers in the LA are Summerhill Academy, Westbury Park School, and Ss Peter and Paul RC Primary School. Elmlea is also one of only nine schools in the authority to hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, a status it has maintained across its two most recent graded inspections. The school is led by headteacher Becca Hine and operates at near full capacity, with 356 pupils on roll against a published capacity of 360. Its intake is notably less diverse in terms of disadvantage than many local schools, with just 3.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals.

Academically, Elmlea delivers results that sit well above the Bristol average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of 58%. Reading was a particular strength: 91% met the expected standard and 59% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 110. In maths, 84% reached the expected level and 41% hit the higher standard, giving an average score of 107. Writing was the weakest of the three, with 74% at expected and 14% at greater depth. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 awarded Outstanding grades across the board for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 96% of respondents would recommend the school, and 96% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there.

The school offers a broad set of facilities including a library, art studios, a forest school area, playing fields, a sensory room, and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, gymnastics, rounders, football and netball, while clubs include drama, choir, film club, science club, eco club and art club. SEND support is available for a range of needs including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. However, the parent view data on SEND support is more divided than other areas: 47% agreed or strongly agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, while 36% disagreed or strongly disagreed. The school is heavily oversubscribed and shares a site with Elmlea Infant School, the nearest Outstanding-rated school, just 0.1 km away. This is a school that suits families prioritising strong academic outcomes and a well-regarded local reputation, particularly those whose children are already confident readers.

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