Parsons Down Junior School
About Parsons Down Junior School
Parsons Down Junior School is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11 in West Berkshire, and its intake numbers tell a clear story. With 163 pupils on roll against a capacity of 360, the school is significantly under-subscribed, operating at less than half its potential size. This is a strong signal for parents seeking a place, as competition for entry is likely to be low. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 23. 3%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools, suggesting the school serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and led by headteacher Catherine Bull. Its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2017, rated the school Good overall, with Good for both leadership and management and the quality of education. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2015.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Jul 2022Latest monitoring visit (6 Jul 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 Jul 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:50 – 15:15
Source: pdp.w-berks.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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