Classpot

The Palmer Primary Academy

Reading, RG2 7PPPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2022
KS2 Results
57%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
53 1st-choice / 54 places
Ranking
#8,783
of 13,686 nationally

About The Palmer Primary Academy

The Palmer Primary Academy in Reading is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 3 to 11, and it is currently running above its official capacity. With 442 pupils enrolled against a school capacity of 420, the school is clearly in demand. That demand is confirmed by the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 107 applications for just 54 places, making it oversubscribed with an oversubscription ratio of 1.98. All 53 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that while competition exists, families who put it first stand a strong chance. The school serves a diverse intake, with 26.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals. That figure is notably higher than the national average for primary schools (around 23-24%), placing it above the typical level of disadvantage. In the local authority of Reading, which has 40 primary schools, The Palmer sits 21st in the rankings based on KS2 expected standards, placing it in the bottom half of the LA but still within a competitive local market.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
Address70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Reading, RG2 7PP
HeadteacherAnne Higginbotham
Local AuthorityReading
Number of Pupils442
Free School Meals (FSM)26.9%
School Capacity442 / 420 (105% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

22 Nov 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 15 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Outdoor PlaygroundSports HallGymnasiumArt StudiosLibraryICT SuiteMusic RoomsForest SchoolChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

9

Sports

FootballCricketSwimmingGymnastics

Clubs & Activities

GardeningChoirCodingArt ClubEco Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:20

Source: thepalmeracademy.com. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Palmer Primary Academy

The Palmer Primary Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.