Oliver Tomkins Church of England Junior School

About Oliver Tomkins Church of England Junior School

Oliver Tomkins Church of England Junior School is a state primary in Swindon, catering for 204 pupils aged 7 to 11. It sits within a local authority that contains 66 primary schools, only four of which hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The school itself is rated Good, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement judgement, and its most recent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed it remains Good. In the Swindon rankings based on KS2 reading, writing and maths expected standards, Oliver Tomkins places 48th out of 51 schools, putting it in the bottom half locally. The top-performing peers in the area include Bishopstone Church of England Primary School, The Croft Primary School and Lift Hazelwood, all of which score notably higher on the same metric. For families prioritising a strong academic record, these neighbouring schools may offer a more competitive profile, though Oliver Tomkins brings other strengths to the table.

Academically, the school’s 2023/24 KS2 results show a mixed picture. Just 40% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well below the Swindon local authority average of 62%. In reading, 73% reached the expected level and 23% achieved the higher standard, while in maths 65% met expectations and 27% reached the higher threshold. Writing was weaker, with 56% at expected and only 4% at the higher level. Average scaled scores were 104 in reading and 103 in maths, both close to the national benchmark of 100. The school’s national ranking places it in the bottom 50% of primaries, at the 91st percentile nationally and 88th in the South West region. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points, but the raw attainment figures suggest there is room for improvement, particularly in writing.

On the practical side, Oliver Tomkins offers a range of facilities including a Forest School, outdoor playground, music rooms, library, playing fields and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, football, tennis, netball and cricket, while clubs include gardening, chess and science club. The school has a Church of England religious character and is led by headteacher Katie Cook. Its capacity is 239, and with 204 pupils on roll it is not oversubscribed, which may appeal to families seeking a place without intense competition. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. With a 22.5% free school meals rate, the school serves a moderately disadvantaged intake. This is a school that suits families who value a supportive, inclusive environment with good facilities and a clear Christian ethos, but who are less focused on top-tier academic outcomes.

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