Garland Junior School
Reading, RG7 3HG · West Berkshire · primary school
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39th of 54 primary schools in West Berkshire we can score, 67 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 — 3.5/10 against 2,624 of them, against 3.3/10 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 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.43 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Garland Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 6.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools). The most recent inspection took place in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 185 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. 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 literacy? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in maths? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Garland Junior School
Overview
Garland Junior School is described as a “happy place in which to work” where pupils feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. The report highlights a “calm and purposeful” environment driven by effective leadership, with personal development and wellbeing rated at a “strong standard.”
Strengths
- Personal development is “expertly adapted” and has a “powerful impact,” fostering pupils who are “polite, articulate and proud.”
- Pastoral support is “extremely effective,” significantly improving attendance and confidence, particularly for vulnerable pupils.
- Teaching in reading, writing, and mathematics has improved, with gaps in learning “quickly identified and addressed.”
- Staff use “evidence-informed” methods and scaffolds to build knowledge securely, ensuring pupils “remember prior learning.”
- Governors “challenge leaders effectively” and ensure decisions are made in the “best interests of the pupils.”
Areas to improve
- Leaders should continue to embed approaches to teaching handwriting and spelling so that “the quality of pupils' writing improves further.”
- Leaders should strengthen the consistency of the wider curriculum to help pupils “build knowledge securely over time.”
- Further work is needed with pupils who are persistently absent to ensure they attend as well as their peers.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture” where concerns are “actively identified, acted upon and managed,” ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 56% |
| 2023/24 | 52% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| 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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