John Wycliffe Primary School

About John Wycliffe Primary School

John Wycliffe Primary School sits in a tricky spot compared with the Leicestershire average for Key Stage 2 outcomes. The local authority average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 62 per cent, but at this school the figure is just 37 per cent. That is a significant gap, and it places the school in the bottom half of primary schools nationally, ranking 194th out of 231 similar schools in the county. The school’s ranking within Harborough is also low — 30th out of 32 — putting it in the 94th percentile locally, meaning only a couple of schools in the borough perform worse on this metric. So the headline story here is one of academic challenge rather than strength, and parents looking at the raw numbers will want to dig deeper into what support is in place for pupils who are not yet hitting those expected benchmarks.

Looking beyond the combined figure, the picture is more mixed. In reading, 65 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard, which is above the school’s own combined rate, and 22 per cent achieved a higher standard — a respectable showing. Maths tells a similar story: 61 per cent hit the expected mark, with 14 per cent reaching the higher threshold. Writing is where things dip, with only 53 per cent at expected and none at the higher level. Average scaled scores sit at 103 for reading and 102 for maths, both just above the national baseline of 100. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it Good across all five categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — and it has held a Good rating since at least 2012. So while the exam results are below the LA average, inspectors found no fundamental weaknesses in teaching or leadership.

John Wycliffe is a state primary for 303 pupils aged 4 to 11, with capacity for 420, so it is not yet full. It is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 104 applications for 44 places and all 44 first-preference offers taken up, giving a ratio of 2.36 applicants per place. The school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake — 20.8 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals — and it offers a broad range of SEND support, including provision for dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language challenges, hearing impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. Facilities include art studios, a library, sports hall, outdoor playground and a chapel, and there are clubs such as film, science, art and eco. Sports on offer include swimming, rounders, cricket, cross country and football. This is a school that may suit families who value a Good Ofsted rating and inclusive SEND support, but who are prepared to work closely with the school to boost academic outcomes, particularly in writing.

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