Isbourne Valley School
Cheltenham, GL54 5PF · Gloucestershire · primary school
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51st of 218 primary schools in Gloucestershire we can score, 241 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 3,837 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.4/10 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 | 71.0 · 68 | 40% | 2.73 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 14.0 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Isbourne Valley School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 71.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 14.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.4 out of 10 among them, against 7.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the School Council and Change4Life sports programme. Music lessons cover piano, guitar, flute, saxophone, singing, and ukulele. An after-school club is available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 80 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 to the higher standard? What specific activities does the School Council organise for pupils? How is the after-school club structured to support learning?
What Ofsted said about Isbourne Valley School
Overview
Isbourne Valley School is described as a welcoming community where pupils feel safe, valued, and proud to attend. Leaders and staff work as a united team, delivering an effective curriculum that fosters strong behaviour, personal development, and a love of learning.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy a supportive environment where they feel ‘like one big family’, with bullying being rare and staff quick to intervene.
- The curriculum is well-designed for mixed-age classes, with clear learning sequences that build knowledge across year groups, particularly in history.
- Reading is central to the curriculum; the revised phonics approach is successful, with Reception children confidently reading and writing sounds.
- Staff use assessment effectively to modify activities, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities participate fully in learning.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils taking on roles of responsibility and learning about equality and fundamental British values.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects where curriculum improvements are recent, pupils do not gain the intended depth of knowledge, and their recall of essential knowledge is variable.
- A minority of key stage 2 pupils do not read as fluently as they should, which slows their progress across the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well-trained to spot risks and communicate swiftly with external agencies.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 89% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 71% |
| 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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