Janet Duke Primary School

About Janet Duke Primary School

Janet Duke Primary School in Basildon is a large state primary where the headline academic metrics sit noticeably below the local authority average for similar schools. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, just 39% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an Essex LA average of 62%. That gap of 23 percentage points is significant and places the school in the bottom half of primary schools nationally, ranking 343rd out of 444 in the county. Only 3% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, and individual subject scores tell a similar story: 58% met the expected level in reading, 59% in maths, and 56% in writing. The school’s average scaled scores of 100 in maths and 101 in reading are in line with the national average of 100, but the proportion reaching the higher standard in any subject is low — 14% in reading, 7% in maths and 13% in writing.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good overall, a clear improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2015. Leadership and management, quality of education, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes all received Good grades. However, early years provision was judged as Requires Improvement, which is worth noting for parents of younger children. The school has a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 54.2%, well above the national average, and this context is relevant when interpreting the attainment data. The headteacher, Harriet Phelps-Knights, leads a school that is near capacity with 629 pupils against a capacity of 630, and it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 122 applications for 66 places, with 48 first-preference offers made.

Janet Duke offers a broad range of facilities including a gymnasium, library, forest school and playing fields, plus clubs like drama, gardening, film club, choir and book club. Sports on offer include athletics, football, dance, netball and cross country. The school has extensive SEND provision, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language needs, hearing and multi-sensory impairments, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes it a potentially strong fit for families whose children require additional support, particularly given the range of specialist categories listed. For families prioritising academic outcomes, the nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is St Anne Line Catholic Junior School, just 0.7 km away, though Janet Duke’s oversubscription suggests it remains a popular choice locally.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Janet Duke Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents