High Down Junior School
Bristol, BS20 6DY · North Somerset · primary school
Check the area around this school
15th of 56 primary schools in North Somerset we can score, 64 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 3,999 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.6/10 among them, against 7.3/10 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 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
High Down Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.6 out of 10 among them, against 7.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join gymnastics, karate, street dance, orchestra, football, and the FutureStars club. They also participate in arts projects like Portishead in Bloom and Wallace and Gromit trails. An after-school club is available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 328 pupils against a stated capacity of 330. 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 move from the expected to the higher standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the FutureStars club? How does the school manage the transition for pupils entering Year 1?
What Ofsted said about High Down Junior School
Overview
High Down Junior School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are happy, enjoy their learning, and achieve well in reading, writing, and mathematics, leaving them well prepared for secondary school. The school fosters a positive environment with strong pastoral support and high staff expectations.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, listen closely to instructions, and share ideas respectfully, with bullying being rare and swiftly addressed.
- The curriculum is ambitious and carefully arranged, with staff trained to help pupils learn new content in a logical order.
- Teachers explain concepts clearly and question pupils effectively to deepen thinking, ensuring pupils apply writing skills frequently.
- The school prioritises reading from the start, promoting a love of reading and providing targeted help for those who have fallen behind.
- Pupils adopt leadership roles seriously, such as school councillors, helping to make a tangible difference to school life.
Areas to improve
- In some wider subjects, the school does not check well enough what pupils have learned in the long term, meaning gaps in knowledge go unaddressed.
- The school needs to develop systems for checking how well pupils have built their knowledge over time so staff can address gaps and pupils can build on prior learning securely.
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 | 72% |
| 2023/24 | 75% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| 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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