SchoolScoresParsons Down Junior School
Community school · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Herons Way, Thatcham, RG19 3SR
01635 866700 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 June 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 6 July 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
57 pupils in this year group.
39% — 18 points below the West Berkshire average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 39% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 54% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 54% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 49% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Berkshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 23.3% | 16.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 3.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 89% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 22.7% | 15.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.7% | 13.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Lower than 35% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Lower than 33% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 14.9% | 11.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 13th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 23.3 | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Lower than 1% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.7% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 35% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.3 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 32% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.7 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 12 state primary schools in Thatcham. Higher than 54% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 13.6% | 17.5%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Parsons Down Infant School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024
- Whitelands Park Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Thatcham Park CofE Primary 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Spurcroft Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Francis Baily Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Finian's Catholic Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Willows Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong, 1 expected · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Parsons Down Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Parsons Down Junior School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 6 July 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Parsons Down Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 23 points below the England average of 62%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 109923.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.