The Ilsleys Primary School

About The Ilsleys Primary School

The Ilsleys Primary School is a small state primary in West Berkshire, currently teaching just 49 pupils against a capacity of 88, which means it is operating at around 56% of its potential size. This is a notably low number for a primary school, and it sits in a local authority where the average primary school is much larger. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 10.2%, which is below the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent intake. Despite the small roll, demand is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 15 total applications for its 10 places, with all 10 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. The oversubscription ratio of 1.5 indicates that while the school is popular, it is not heavily oversubscribed, and the fact that every first-preference family got a place suggests a good fit for local families who prioritise it.

Academically, The Ilsleys punches well above its weight. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of just 57%. This places the school first out of 57 primary schools in West Berkshire, and in the top 2% nationally. The results are particularly strong in maths, where every pupil reached the expected standard and 70% achieved a higher standard. Reading and writing also performed well, with 90% and 100% reaching the expected standard respectively, and average scaled scores of 112 in reading and 111 in maths. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in July 2022, confirmed that it remains Good, with all graded areas — including early years provision, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness — rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2011 also awarded Good, showing consistent quality over time.

The school offers a broad range of facilities for its size, including a sensory room, ICT suite, library, art studios, gymnasium, playing fields and even a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, gymnastics, dance, athletics, tennis, cross country and football, while clubs extend to drama, gardening, science, choir, book club and coding. For children with additional needs, the school supports moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and other difficulties or disabilities. With only 10 places per year group and a clear first-preference fill rate, this is a school that suits families who value a small, close-knit environment with strong academic outcomes and a wide range of enrichment opportunities, but who are comfortable with a very small cohort size. It is not a nursery or boarding school, and has no sixth form, so it is purely for primary-aged children.

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