Hempsted Church of England Primary School

About Hempsted Church of England Primary School

Hempsted Church of England Primary School is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 4 to 11, and it is currently full to the brim. With 211 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 210, the school is operating at maximum occupancy. This level of demand is reflected in its admission data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 76 total applications for 30 places, with 43 of those coming as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.53. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.9%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools, suggesting the school serves a relatively diverse socioeconomic intake within Gloucester. As a Church of England school, it has a religious character, though the data does not specify any faith-based admission criteria. Headteacher Jonathan Davis leads a school that clearly commands strong local confidence, given the significant gap between applications and available places.

Academically, Hempsted performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Gloucestershire LA average of just 59%. This places the school first out of 25 primary schools in Gloucester, and in the top 10% nationally. Subject-level results are strong too: 93% reached the expected standard in maths, 90% in reading and 90% in writing. Higher-standard attainment is also solid, with 40% of pupils achieving the higher level in maths and 43% in reading. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2023, rated it Good across all five categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This marks a change from its previous inspection in 2008, when it was rated Outstanding.

The school offers a range of facilities including a music room, sensory room, gymnasium, dining hall and chapel, alongside sports such as cross country, athletics, tennis, rounders, gymnastics, netball and football. Clubs include drama, choir, chess, eco club, film club and book club. For pupils with additional needs, the school has identified provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. There is no nursery or sixth form provision. Given its strong academic outcomes, oversubscribed status and Church of England foundation, Hempsted is likely to suit families who prioritise a well-regarded local primary with a clear track record of above-average results, but they should be prepared for a competitive admissions process.

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