Woden Primary School

About Woden Primary School

Woden Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 127 applications for just 60 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.12 applicants per place. Of those, 53 families put Woden as their first preference, and 52 of them were offered a spot. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the community, though there is no parent view data available to confirm satisfaction rates directly. The school is led by headteacher Sara Walmsley and serves 462 pupils, which is above its official capacity of 420. With 55.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage, and its popularity despite this is a notable signal of trust from local parents.

Academically, Woden presents a mixed picture. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 46% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Wolverhampton local authority average of 64%. The school ranks 55th out of 60 primary schools in the authority, placing it in the bottom tier nationally. However, the individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story. In writing, 72% of pupils met the expected standard, and 18% reached the higher standard. Reading and maths both saw average scaled scores of 102, with 59% and 61% reaching the expected level respectively. Just 5% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 was a section 8 inspection, so no overall effectiveness grade was issued, but the inspectors awarded Outstanding ratings for early years provision, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. Quality of education was rated Good.

The school offers a strong range of facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, art studios, forest school, and a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, tennis, netball and cross country, while clubs include choir, drama, eco club and book club. For families with children who have additional needs, Woden has a broad SEND offer, supporting moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, hearing and visual impairments, and physical disabilities. The school also has a nursery provision for children from age three. Given its oversubscription, families should be prepared to apply early and consider their catchment area carefully. Woden is best suited to families who value a school with strong pastoral and behavioural standards, a wide range of enrichment activities, and a leadership team that has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted, even if the raw academic outcomes are below the local average.

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