Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School

About Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School

Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School in Harlow is a state primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, and it is effectively full: with 209 pupils against a capacity of 210, there is barely a spare seat. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 12.9%, which is below the national average for primary schools (typically around 23-24%), suggesting a relatively less deprived intake than many schools nationally. Demand is extremely high. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school offered 30 places and received 116 applications, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.87. Of those, 33 were first-preference applications, and only 25 first-preference offers were made, meaning a significant number of families who wanted this school as their top choice were turned away. This level of competition signals a strong local reputation and a school that parents in Harlow are actively seeking out.

Academically, the school performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an Essex average of 62%. This places Fawbert and Barnard's 3rd out of 28 primary schools in Harlow, putting it in the top 25% nationally. The school's ranking score of 77 reflects strong outcomes across the core subjects. Looking at individual subjects, 87% met expectations in both reading and maths, and 80% in writing. Higher-standard attainment is more modest: 23% reached the higher standard in reading, 27% in writing, and 10% in maths, with only 3% achieving the higher standard across all three. Average scaled scores were 107 in reading and 105 in maths, both comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2022, rated it Good overall, with Good for leadership and management, a step down from its previous Outstanding rating in 2010.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, art studios, music rooms, a sensory room, an ICT suite and a gymnasium, plus an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers football, netball, gymnastics, cricket, swimming, cross country and athletics, and there are clubs for science, art and eco activities. SEND support is available for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, physical disabilities and other difficulties. The school has no nursery or sixth form. With its high oversubscription rate, this is a school for families who are confident their child will thrive in a structured, academically focused environment and who are prepared to compete for a place. It suits those prioritising strong KS2 outcomes and a broad range of enrichment activities within a relatively small, full-to-capacity school.

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