Nine Acres Primary School

About Nine Acres Primary School

Nine Acres Primary School is clearly a popular choice among Isle of Wight families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 141 applications for just 60 places, making it oversubscribed by a factor of 2.35. Of those applicants, 90 put Nine Acres as their first preference, and all 60 first-preference families were offered a place. That level of demand suggests strong word-of-mouth among local parents, and the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in July 2024, backs that up with an Outstanding rating across every category — quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is a significant upgrade from its previous Good rating in 2017, and it places Nine Acres as the only Outstanding primary school in the Isle of Wight local authority, which has 36 primary schools in total.

Academically, Nine Acres performs well above the local average. At Key Stage 2, 59% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Isle of Wight average of 52%. The school’s average scores in reading (104) and maths (105) are both solid, and a notable 7% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. In maths specifically, 18% reached the higher standard, and 82% met the expected standard. Writing and reading also saw strong proportions at the expected level — 77% and 75% respectively. Within the local authority, Nine Acres ranks 12th out of 35 primary schools on the combined expected standard metric, placing it in the top third on the Isle of Wight. Nationally, it sits in the 59th percentile, meaning it performs better than most schools across England.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, an ICT suite, art studios, a library and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, netball, cricket, swimming and rounders, while after-school clubs include art, science and coding. For families with children who have additional needs, Nine Acres lists support for a wide spectrum of conditions, from specific learning difficulties like dyslexia to autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health challenges. With 27.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. Headteacher Rosie McDonald leads a school that is at capacity with 415 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. This is a school that suits families who value strong academic outcomes within a supportive, well-resourced environment, but early application is essential given the high demand.

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