Hodnet Primary School
94%
Capacity
191
Pupils
1.7x
Demand
About Hodnet Primary School
Hodnet Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 50 applications for just 29 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.72. Of those 50 applications, 30 were first-preference choices, and 28 of those first-preference families were offered a place. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the community, though no parent-view survey data is available to confirm satisfaction levels directly. The school is led by headteacher Penny Lyall and serves 191 pupils, operating just under its full capacity of 203. It is a mixed, state primary for children aged 5 to 11, with no religious character and no nursery provision. The school sits within the Shropshire local authority, where only 7 out of 127 primary schools hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.
Academically, Hodnet Primary School was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, which took place in November 2018. The inspection report noted that the school had improved significantly from its previous rating of Requires Improvement in 2012, with both leadership and management and overall effectiveness now judged as Good. The school's most recent ungraded inspection, in November 2018, confirmed that it remains Good. While no specific Key Stage 2 SATs results or Progress 8 scores are available in the data, the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment sits at 59. Without Hodnet's own figures, it is not possible to say whether the school outperforms or falls below that benchmark. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary-only setting.
The school offers a range of facilities including playing fields, a library, music rooms, an outdoor playground, and a chapel. Sports on offer include dance, athletics, rounders, and football, while extracurricular clubs cover gardening, film, chess, choir, science, and art. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its oversubscribed status, families considering Hodnet should be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. It is best suited to families in the Shropshire area seeking a well-regarded, community-focused primary with a broad range of clubs and SEND support.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 5 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Shrewsbury Street, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3NS |
| Headteacher | Penny Lyall |
| Local Authority | Shropshire |
| Number of Pupils | 191 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 8.9% |
| School Capacity | 191 / 203 (94% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Nov 2018Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (28 Nov 2018): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 11 Dec 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed29
50
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
30 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Breakfast club
07:45-08:45
After-school care
15:15-17:45
Source: hodnetschool.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British96.3%
- White (other)1.0%
- Mixed1.0%
- Asian1.0%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hodnet Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Shrewsbury Street, Market Drayton
Shropshire, TF9 3NS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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