Picklenash Junior School
About Picklenash Junior School
Picklenash Junior School is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 7 to 11 in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It currently has 161 pupils against a capacity of 240, meaning the school is operating at around two-thirds full. This spare capacity is notable in a local authority where demand can be high, and it suggests that securing a place here is less competitive than at some neighbouring schools. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 28 per cent, which is significantly above the national average and indicates a catchment with above-average levels of disadvantage. The school has no religious character and is led by headteacher Michelle Kelly. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, judged the school as Requires Improvement across all graded areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This was a downgrade from its previous Good rating, and the report noted that the school was not judged on overall effectiveness at the most recent visit.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 29 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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
25 Feb 2025From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 1 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Picklenash 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