Heatherlands Primary School
Poole, BH12 2BG · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · primary school
Check the area around this school
36th of 50 primary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we can score, 66 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.4/10 against 2,441 of them, against 3.8/10 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 | 58.0 · 35 | 41% | 1.41 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.76 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 26% | 1.14 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Heatherlands Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 6.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils visit the Osmington Bay PGL centre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 616 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. 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 national median in core subjects? What specific activities take place at the Osmington Bay PGL centre? How does the school manage class sizes with 14 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about Heatherlands Primary School
Overview
Heatherlands Primary School continues to be a good school, providing an inclusive environment where staff know pupils well and encourage them to become "responsible and caring young people." Pupils display positive attitudes towards learning, engaging with a broad curriculum that addresses current world issues while benefiting from a strong focus on physical and mental fitness.
Strengths
- Staff ensure children understand the importance of routines, kindness, and politeness from the early years.
- Extensive work to prioritise reading is paying off, with many pupils becoming "avid readers" who enjoy discussing key themes.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn well due to accurate identification of needs and recent staff training.
- The curriculum prioritises equalities and personal, social and health education, preparing pupils well for their next stage.
- Parents and carers are "highly positive" about their child’s experience, and staff feel supported in their workload.
Areas to improve
- Teaching is not always adapted astutely to prioritise the most important knowledge, meaning a minority of pupils do not receive work that builds firmly on what they already know.
- Leaders’ checks do not consistently assure themselves of curriculum quality, and they do not always act swiftly when pupils do not gain the depth of knowledge they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where staff act when they suspect pupils are at risk and leaders work closely with external agencies to ensure families receive support quickly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 57% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 58% |
| 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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