Gillingstool Primary School

About Gillingstool Primary School

Gillingstool Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 59 applications for just 30 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.97. Of those, 33 families put it as their first preference, and all 30 places went to first-preference applicants. This level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the community, though no parent-view survey data is available to confirm satisfaction rates directly. The school is a state-funded, mixed primary for children aged 4 to 11, with a capacity of 210 pupils and a current roll of 204, meaning it is running very close to full. Headteacher Lauren Edwards leads a school where 30.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and indicates a diverse intake.

Academically, Gillingstool has made clear progress since its last inspection. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, the school achieved a Good rating across all five graded categories: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The early years provision also received a Good grade. This is a notable improvement from the previous inspection in 2018, when the school was rated Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management and early years provision both graded as Requires Improvement. The school does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results in the data, so it is not possible to compare its academic performance against the South Gloucestershire local authority average of 61% achieving the expected standard. However, the Ofsted trajectory is positive.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, playing fields, music rooms, art studios, a gymnasium, and a chapel. Sports provision covers netball, dance, gymnastics, football, and tennis, while extracurricular clubs include book club, drama, choir, art club, film club, and science club. For families with children who have additional needs, Gillingstool lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. The school does not have a nursery or a sixth form. Given its oversubscription, families should definitely list it as a first preference to maximise their chance of a place. For those seeking an Outstanding-rated alternative, St Helen's Church of England Primary School is 2.5 km away.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Gillingstool Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents