Vernham Dean Gillum's Church of England Primary School

About Vernham Dean Gillum's Church of England Primary School

Vernham Dean Gillum's Church of England Primary School is a small state primary in Test Valley, and its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 awarded it a Good rating across every category — a clear step up from its previous Requires Improvement judgement in 2019. That improvement is worth noting because the school operates in a local authority where only 33 out of 425 primary schools hold an Outstanding grade, so Good is a solid and respectable position. The school's Progress 8 data isn't available in the public record, but its KS2 performance can be compared against the Hampshire LA average of 61. Without a specific KS2 score for the school itself, the headline takeaway is that Vernham Dean sits within a competitive local landscape — its top peer, Preston Candover Church of England Primary, ranks at 100 on the local scoring system, while Vernham Dean's own position is not listed among the top three. That suggests it's a solid but not standout performer academically, which families should weigh against its other strengths.

Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted report gives a detailed picture. The quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all received a Good (grade 2) rating, as did early years provision. This is a meaningful improvement from the 2019 inspection, when overall effectiveness was Requires Improvement (grade 3) and early years provision was also grade 2. The school has clearly addressed the areas that needed work, and the consistency across all categories in 2023 suggests a stable and effective leadership team under headteacher Ian Hickman. With only 34 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, the school is operating well below its physical capacity, which may mean smaller class sizes and more individual attention — a practical advantage for families prioritising a close-knit learning environment. The school's SEND provisions cover Social, Emotional & Mental Health needs and Other Difficulty/Disability, indicating some specialist support is available.

On the practical side, the school offers a decent range of facilities for its size, including a sports hall, gymnasium, art studios, music rooms, and a chapel, plus an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include rounders, gymnastics, football, and netball, while clubs extend to book club, choir, and drama. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed: 13 applications for just 4 total places, with a ratio of 3.25 applicants per place, and only 3 first-preference offers made. That means securing a place is competitive despite the small roll, so families should apply early and consider it a first preference. The school is Church of England by religious character but does not specify a faith-based admissions policy in the data. It has no nursery provision and no sixth form, so it's purely a primary option. This school will suit families who value a small, improving rural primary with strong Ofsted grades, a broad-enough extracurricular offer, and a community feel — but who are prepared for a competitive admissions process.

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