Bowerhill Primary School
Melksham, SN12 6YH · Wiltshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
60th of 181 primary schools in Wiltshire we can score, 201 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.0/10 against 4,023 of them, against 6.0/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 12.0 · 74 | 25% | 1.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bowerhill Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with a national median of 64%. 12.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.0 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 378 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific trips are planned for the current academic year?
What Ofsted said about Bowerhill Primary School
Overview
Bowerhill Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ personal development. The report highlights a school where pupils are ‘proud to attend’ and feel safe, supported by strong relationships with staff. Since the previous inspection, the school has raised expectations and developed an ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate high levels of ‘responsibility’ and ‘respect’, contributing to an ‘inclusive and kind school community’.
- Reading is given high priority, with staff using assessment ‘sharply’ to support phonics and ensure most pupils read fluently by the time they leave.
- The ‘7 in 7’ programme successfully enriches pupils’ wider development, raising aspirations and ensuring ‘everyone is included, and no one is left out’.
- Staff are well trained in early years phonics, helping pupils ‘confidently read unfamiliar words’ and blend sounds effectively.
- Leaders have cultivated a ‘strong spirit of teamwork’, ensuring staff feel valued and supported regarding workload.
Areas to improve
- In some recently developed subjects, pupils’ recall of knowledge is ‘less secure’, meaning they do not yet have a ‘deep body of knowledge’.
- The implementation of agreed teaching strategies is ‘not consistently applied in some subjects’, which slows pupils’ learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 64% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of SN12 6YH, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT