Winklebury Junior School

About Winklebury Junior School

Winklebury Junior School in Basingstoke is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11, and its intake tells an interesting story about demand and the local community. The school has 212 pupils on roll against a capacity of 240, meaning it is running at roughly 88% full, which suggests there is some headroom for new families. A significant 31.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23%, indicating a higher-than-average level of economic disadvantage in the immediate catchment. Despite this, the school appears to be a stable choice for local families; the admission information does not flag any oversubscription, so it is likely that most applicants secure a place. The school is mixed, non-religious, and led by headteacher Katy Bartlett, who took over at some point before the most recent inspection.

Academically, Winklebury delivers solid but not outstanding results. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 58% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is just below the Hampshire local authority average of 61%. The school ranks 26th out of 40 primary schools in the Basingstoke and Deane area on this metric, placing it in the bottom half locally and around the 62nd percentile nationally. Breaking it down, reading and maths average scores were 105 and 104 respectively, both slightly above the national benchmark of 100, and 75% hit the expected standard in reading, with 84% in writing. However, only 7% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, and the school’s progress scores are not available, so it is hard to gauge how much value it adds relative to starting points. The most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good, a clear improvement from its Requires Improvement rating in 2010.

For families considering Winklebury, the practical offering is decent. The school has a gymnasium, library, art studios, playing fields and even a chapel, plus a good range of sports including netball, football, athletics and dance. Clubs cover drama, gardening, book club, choir, chess and science club, so there is variety beyond the core curriculum. SEND provision is well-documented, with support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, and speech and language communication issues. If you are looking for an outstanding-rated alternative, the nearest is St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 2.3 km away. Winklebury suits families who want a stable, Good-rated local school with a broad extracurricular offer and strong SEND support, particularly those who value a non-religious setting and are comfortable with a school that serves a relatively disadvantaged community.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Winklebury Junior School

Helpful Guides for Parents