Hart Plain Junior School

About Hart Plain Junior School

Ofsted’s Parent View survey, based on 35 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows that 60% of parents would recommend Hart Plain Junior School to others. That’s a mixed picture, and the breakdown of individual questions reveals some real strengths alongside areas of concern. On the positive side, 97% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 98% felt the same about the range of subjects available. Every single parent who responded agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities. However, only 26% felt that bullying is dealt with quickly and effectively, and just 51% agreed that concerns are dealt with properly. The school is oversubscribed in terms of demand versus its published capacity of 240 – it currently has 211 pupils on roll – so it’s not full, but it’s close. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, rated it as Requires Improvement overall, a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2020.

Academically, the school’s 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results place it near the bottom of the league table in Havant. Just 32% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Hampshire local authority average of 61%. That puts Hart Plain 22nd out of 23 primary schools in the borough, and in the bottom 5% nationally. In individual subjects, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in writing, but only 40% did so in maths and 52% in reading. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard was very low across the board – 7% in reading, 3% in writing, and just 2% in maths. No pupils reached the higher standard in all three subjects. The school’s average scaled scores were 99 in reading and 98 in maths, both just below the national benchmark of 100. Ofsted’s inspection report noted that the quality of education and leadership and management both require improvement, though behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both judged Good.

Hart Plain Junior School is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11, located in Havant, Hampshire. It has a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 48.8%, well above the national average, and 46% of parents who responded to the Parent View survey said their child has special educational needs or disabilities. The school’s SEND provisions cover moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, and physical disability. Facilities include a sensory room, forest school, art and music rooms, a sports hall, playing fields, and a chapel. Clubs on offer include eco club, chess and film club, and sports include athletics, gymnastics, tennis and football. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is Front Lawn Primary Academy, 4.4 km away. This school may suit families who value its strong communication with parents and wide range of activities, but who are aware that academic outcomes are currently well below the local average and that the school is in a period of transition following its recent Ofsted downgrade.

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