Knowle Primary School
Plymouth, PL5 3QG · Plymouth · primary school
Check the area around this school
37th of 66 primary schools in Plymouth we can score, 69 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 — 7.9/10 against 935 of them, against 6.0/10 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.45 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Knowle Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 275 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 maths? What specific activities take place during the after-school club? How does the new Ofsted framework affect daily teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Knowle Primary School
Overview
Knowle Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, achieve well and feel safe. The report highlights exceptional early years provision and strong inclusion practices, alongside significant recent improvements in attendance and academic outcomes. While the school meets expected standards in most areas, leaders are urged to address persistent gaps in foundational skills and attendance.
Strengths
- Early years staff know children exceptionally well, creating effective partnerships with parents and ensuring strong progression from starting points.
- Inclusion is central to the school’s work, with rigorous identification of needs and effective support, including specialist provisions like the ‘Explorers’ group.
- Pupils achieve well in core subjects, with 2025 results representing the school’s highest key stage 2 outcomes and a significant improvement over time.
- The personal development curriculum is comprehensive, exposing pupils to diverse cultural experiences and real-world events in a safe environment.
- Staff wellbeing is supported effectively, with manageable workloads and high-quality professional learning opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff consistently identify and address gaps in pupils’ foundational knowledge, specifically in handwriting and number formation.
- Attendance strategies need continued development to sustain reductions in pupil absence, as some children are still absent too often.
- Leaders should help pupils deepen and retain knowledge from the personal development curriculum, as some find the wealth of content overwhelming.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 58% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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