Marish Primary School

About Marish Primary School

Marish Primary School sits comfortably above the Slough local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 78% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the LA average of 70%. That eight-percentage-point gap places the school 8th out of 26 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the top third locally and within the top 25% nationally. It is a solid, above-average performer rather than an outlier at the very top — the three schools ahead of it in Slough’s rankings all score higher on the same metric — but for families looking for a large, well-run state primary that consistently beats the local benchmark, Marish makes a strong case. The school is also notably oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 137 applications for 64 places, with 61 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.14. That level of demand suggests parents in the area recognise the value on offer.

Academically, the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results show particular strength in reading, where 86% of pupils met the expected standard and 45% reached the higher standard — both well above the national picture. Maths followed closely, with 79% at expected and 52% at the higher threshold, and the average scaled scores in reading and maths both sat at 110, which is comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. Writing was slightly lower, with 80% at expected and 25% at the higher standard, but still respectable. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2022, rated overall effectiveness as Good across the board, with behaviour and attitudes judged Outstanding — a notable strength. The early years provision was also rated Good. Compared with its previous inspection in 2015, which also awarded Good overall, the school has maintained its standard while sharpening its focus on pupil behaviour, which inspectors clearly recognised.

Marish is a large primary with 802 pupils on roll, operating very close to its capacity of 806, and it includes a nursery for children from age three. The site offers a library, playing fields, a dining hall, music rooms, a gymnasium and a chapel, and the sports programme covers athletics, swimming, netball, cricket, cross country, tennis and football. There is a strong SEND infrastructure, with a dedicated SEN unit and provisions for a wide range of needs including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, hearing and visual impairments, and social, emotional and mental health support. Clubs include science, art, coding and eco club. For families in Slough who want a non-faith, mixed state primary with proven academic results, a good Ofsted record and a broad extracurricular offer, Marish is a reliable choice — though the oversubscription means applying early is essential.

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