SchoolScoresThe Palmer Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of REACH2 ACADEMY TRUST
70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7PP
0118 937 5481 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 November 2022.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
44 pupils in this year group.
66% — 4 points above the Reading average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 66% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 86% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 70% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 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 Reading. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 58 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 58 |
| Of those, offered a place | 58 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 116 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.3% | 23.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 23rd highest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.7% | 3.4%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 31st highest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.5% | 17.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 91% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 51.4% | 41.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 37th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Lower than 11% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.9% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 33rd lowest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Lower than 13% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 20.6% | 15.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 38th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Lower than 9% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 7.7 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 33rd lowest of 40 state primary schools in Reading. Lower than 16% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 39 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 99% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 30.5 | 20.4 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 39 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 81% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.8 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 39 state primary schools in Reading. Higher than 89% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 29.8% | 18.1%* | 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
- New Christ Church CofE Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Katesgrove Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Coley Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Redlands Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary and All Saints CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Ridgeway Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints CofE Aided Infant School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong
- All Saints Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 100% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Palmer Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Palmer Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 November 2022.
How did The Palmer Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points above the England average of 62%.
Is The Palmer Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 58 families put The Palmer Primary Academy as their first choice for 58 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 58 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139653.
- 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.