Heatherley Primary School

About Heatherley Primary School

Heatherley Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 125 applications for just 42 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.98, meaning nearly three families applied for every available spot. Of those, 40 were first-preference applications, and the school made 40 first-preference offers, suggesting that most successful applicants had listed it as their top choice. While the school does not publish a parent-view recommendation percentage, this level of demand is a strong signal of community confidence. The school is led by headteacher Sarah James and serves 330 pupils, slightly above its official capacity of 315, which reflects its popularity. It is a mixed, non-religious state primary for children aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision available for younger children.

Academically, Heatherley performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Nottinghamshire average of 61%. The school ranks 7th out of 27 primary schools in Mansfield, placing it in the top 26% locally, and 486th out of 1,353 in the East Midlands. Individual subject scores are solid: a reading average of 104, maths average of 102, and strong writing results with 84% reaching the expected standard and 27% working at greater depth. However, only 4% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, which is a modest figure. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023 confirmed it remains Good, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2010, with leadership and management also rated Good.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including music rooms, an ICT suite, art studios, a sensory room, and a Forest School, which supports outdoor learning. Sports include football, cricket, swimming and netball, and clubs such as Chess, Book Club, Science Club and Eco Club run alongside. For families with children who have additional needs, Heatherley provides support for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is Crescent Primary School, 3.8 km away. Given its strong local reputation, above-average results, and high demand, Heatherley is a solid choice for Mansfield families seeking a well-regarded state primary with good facilities and inclusive SEND support.

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