Padnell Junior School
100%
Capacity
361
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Padnell Junior School
Padnell Junior School is a state primary in Havant that parents seem to trust. The school is oversubscribed, with 361 pupils on roll against a capacity of 360, suggesting it is a popular local choice. In its most recent ungraded Ofsted inspection in 2024, the school was judged to remain Good, a significant improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2015 when it was rated Requires Improvement. Leadership and management, as well as overall effectiveness, are now both rated Good. The school serves a mixed catchment, with 18.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals, which is slightly above the national average for primary schools. While the Ofsted report does not include a parent view survey, the fact that the school is full indicates that local families are choosing it.
Academically, Padnell Junior School performs solidly but not at the top of the local league tables. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 59% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is just below the Hampshire local authority average of 61%. The school ranks 8th out of 23 primary schools in Havant, placing it in the top half of the local area. In reading, 81% of pupils met the expected standard and the average score was 107, while in maths 81% met the expected standard with an average score of 106. However, only 6% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, and the school sits in the bottom 50% nationally on this measure. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is difficult to say how much value the school adds beyond raw attainment.
The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, playing fields, an ICT suite, sports hall, music rooms, library and a chapel. Sports provision includes cross country, athletics, netball, dance, swimming and cricket, while clubs cover drama, choir, art, science and gardening. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. For families seeking a school with strong SEND support and a full range of extracurricular activities, Padnell is a practical choice. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Front Lawn Primary Academy, 3.6 km away, so Padnell is a solid Good option for those who want a local, oversubscribed school without the pressure of a higher-ranked alternative.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 7 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Padnell Road, Waterlooville, Havant, PO8 8EA |
| Headteacher | Sarah Luker |
| Local Authority | Hampshire |
| Number of Pupils | 361 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.3% |
| School Capacity | 361 / 360 (100% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (22 May 2024): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 16 Jul 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (59%)
8001st of 13,686
Nationally
1172nd of 2,034
In South East
8th of 23
In Havant
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
59%
Expected Standard
6%
Higher Standard
'22/23
47%
'23/24
59%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British90.9%
- Mixed4.8%
- White (other)1.9%
- Asian1.2%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
7
Total schools
5
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Padnell Junior School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Padnell Road, Waterlooville
Havant, PO8 8EA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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