Harwell Primary School
Didcot, OX11 0HX · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
168th of 230 primary schools in Oxfordshire we can score, 244 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 4,158 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0/10 among them, against 3.1/10 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 | 62.0 · 44 | 40% | 1.74 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harwell Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard was 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0 out of 10 among them, against 3.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 210 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 to progress from the expected standard to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific steps are being taken to address the gap between the school’s performance and the national median? How does the school manage class sizes given that the current roll matches the total capacity?
What Ofsted said about Harwell Primary School
Overview
Harwell Primary School continues to be a good school, offering a caring environment with a "real sense of family and belonging." Pupils are proud of their community, feel safe, and achieve well from the early years through to Year 6, supported by leaders with high expectations.
Strengths
- Pupils receive a "warm welcome" and feel "safe and well cared for," with bullying not being a concern.
- The curriculum in Reception is "particularly well designed," explicitly teaching new words to build vocabulary.
- Leaders prioritise reading, ensuring staff teach phonics with "precision" and match books to sounds pupils are learning.
- In mathematics, pupils appreciate "clear methods to find answers" and explaining their reasoning, building secure understanding.
- Staff provide tailored support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, working effectively with external professionals.
Areas to improve
- In some foundation subjects, leaders have not "precisely laid out what knowledge and skills pupils need to learn," causing uncertainty in teaching sequences.
- Assessment in some foundation subjects is not consistently in place, meaning teachers are not always confident in pupils’ secure understanding of key knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" where records are meticulously kept and staff are proactive in identifying concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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