Hatherop Church of England Primary School

About Hatherop Church of England Primary School

Hatherop Church of England Primary School is a small state primary in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, currently educating 86 pupils against a capacity of 84, meaning it is effectively full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 9.3%, which is below the national average and suggests a relatively affluent intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 28 applications for just 10 places, with 9 of those being first-preference applications. This gives an oversubscription ratio of 2.8, a clear signal that local families are keen to secure a spot. The school’s Church of England character and its setting in a rural village likely contribute to its appeal, though the data shows it is not the only popular choice in the area — nearby Fairford Church of England Primary School, 3.4 km away, holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Academically, Hatherop performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Gloucestershire average of 59%. The school ranks 6th out of 38 primary schools in the Cotswold local authority area, placing it in the top 10% regionally and the top 9% nationally. Pupils achieved notably high scores in reading and maths, with average scaled scores of 111 in both subjects, and 64% of children reached the higher standard in each. Writing and reading at higher levels were less common, at 18% each, but 100% of pupils met the expected standard in both reading and maths individually. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in March 2023, confirmed it remains Good, a rating it has held since its previous graded inspection in 2013.

The school offers a range of facilities including a library, playing fields, a Forest School area, an ICT suite and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England foundation. Sports provision covers cricket, football, dance and netball, while clubs include gardening, drama, science, eco, film and choir. SEND support is available for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and social, emotional and mental health needs. With no nursery or sixth form, it is a straightforward primary for children aged 4 to 11. Given its strong academic outcomes, oversubscribed status and rural Cotswold setting, this school is likely to suit families who prioritise high attainment in a small, church-affiliated village school and who are prepared to apply early to secure a place.

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