Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Henley-on-Thames

About Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Henley-on-Thames

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Henley-on-Thames is a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 33 applications for just 13 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.54. Every one of those 13 first-preference applicants was offered a spot, which suggests that for families who put it top of their list, the school delivers. ParentView data isn't available in the school's most recent records, but the oversubscription alone signals strong local confidence. The school is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, with 118 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, meaning there is room to grow. Headteacher Rachel Sanders leads a school that has clearly built a reputation in South Oxfordshire, and the demand for places reflects that.

Academically, Sacred Heart performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Oxfordshire local authority average of 61%. That places the school in the top 25% nationally and 11th out of 48 primary schools in South Oxfordshire. Reading scores were particularly strong, with an average scaled score of 109 and 50% of pupils reaching the higher standard. Maths followed closely with an average score of 107 and 41% achieving the higher threshold. The school's most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2016 rated it Good overall, with Good marks for leadership, management and early years provision. An ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed it remains Good, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2014.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, library, art studios, music rooms and a chapel. Sports on offer include athletics, football, netball, tennis and cricket, while clubs extend to eco club, film club, choir, drama, gardening and coding. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provision for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, visual impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. Sacred Heart is not a boarding school and has no nursery or sixth form. It suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes in a faith-based setting and who are comfortable with a school that is oversubscribed but still accessible to first-preference applicants. The relatively small pupil roll means a close-knit feel, and the range of clubs and sports suggests an active, engaged community.

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