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.

Academically, Parsons Down sits in the middle of the pack locally. In the 2023/24 KS2 assessments, 56% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is just one percentage point below the West Berkshire local authority average of 57%, placing the school 28th out of 67 primary schools in the area and 29th out of 57 junior and primary schools in the LA rankings. In individual subjects, reading and writing saw 69% and 71% of pupils meeting expectations respectively, while maths lagged slightly at 63%. At the higher standard, the school's combined figure was 6%, with 19% reaching higher in reading and 17% in writing. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom half, sitting at the 66th percentile in the South East region and the 65th percentile nationally. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils' starting points.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a sports hall, library, art studios, ICT suite, sensory room, gymnasium, outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, netball, cross country and tennis, while clubs include choir, coding and drama. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given the low pupil numbers relative to capacity, this is a school that may particularly suit families looking for a smaller, less pressured environment where individual attention is more feasible. It is not a boarding school, has no sixth form or nursery provision, and its non-religious character means it draws from a broad local catchment.

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