Dovelands Primary School
Leicester, LE3 0TJ · Leicester · primary school
Check the area around this school
39th of 71 primary schools in Leicester we can score, 82 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,089 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3/10 among them, against 3.3/10 nationally. 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 | 63.0 · 46 | 41% | 1.91 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 33% | 1.72 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 26% | 0.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dovelands Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3 out of 10 among them, against 3.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join gymnastics, KS1 and KS2 football, and music lessons including flute, piano, guitar, and drums.
Getting in
The published school roll is 534 pupils against a stated capacity of 525. 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
Since the last inspection was in 2022, what specific improvements have been made to raise attainment to the national median? How does the school support pupils who are not yet reaching the expected standard in core subjects?
What Ofsted said about Dovelands Primary School
Overview
Dovelands Primary School continues to be a good school, described by pupils as a ‘friendly’ and ‘happy’ environment where they feel safe and valued. The report highlights a strong culture of respect, with pupils taking pride in their school’s ‘rights respecting’ ethos and enjoying a broad curriculum that encourages them to care about the wider world.
Strengths
- Leaders prioritise reading as ‘the key to academic success’, ensuring phonics is taught well and pupils read with ‘fluency and confidence’.
- The mathematics curriculum is ‘well planned’, with teachers having ‘sound subject knowledge’ and pupils explaining their problem-solving approaches clearly.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have access to the same curriculum, with teachers quickly spotting when additional help is needed.
- Staff are ‘committed to working as a team’ and feel ‘valued and supported’, sharing a vision for high standards.
- Pupils behave well, are ‘focused on their learning’, and trust adults to help them solve issues fairly.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers assess and provide pupils with regular opportunities to recall and remember their learning in all subjects, as this is not currently consistent.
- Leaders should identify the key knowledge children should learn in the early years to best prepare them for their future learning in Year 1.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and leaders working tenaciously with other agencies to seek the right support for pupils.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 64% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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
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