Merrydale Junior School
Leicester, LE5 0PL · Leicester · primary school
Check the area around this school
26th of 71 primary schools in Leicester we can score, 82 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 — 5.4/10 against 2,314 of them, against 4.4/10 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 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Merrydale Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 354 pupils against a stated capacity of 360. 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
With 6 places currently available, how does the school manage waiting lists for specific entry years? How does the curriculum support pupils aiming for the higher standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6?
What Ofsted said about Merrydale Junior School
Overview
Merrydale Junior School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a “happy, warm and welcoming school” where pupils behave well and engage in their learning. Most pupils achieve well across the curriculum, supported by high aspirations and a culture of respect.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “clearly sequenced” and intends to build pupils’ knowledge over time, with specific vocabulary identified for use.
- Staff deliver the phonics programme “consistently well,” enabling pupils, including those new to English, to “catch up quickly.”
- The school “identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively” and puts necessary adaptations in place.
- Behaviour is “well managed throughout the school,” and attendance rates are “generally high.”
- Systems support pupils’ “social and emotional well-being,” including trained staff to help manage feelings and organised quiet spaces at lunchtimes.
Areas to improve
- In “a few subjects,” the school has not identified the most important content, leading to gaps in pupils’ knowledge; leaders must ensure this content is identified and taught so pupils “know and remember this over time.”
- Some pupils who arrived below expected standards in reading and writing did not make enough progress to reach the expected standard by the end of key stage 2.
Safeguarding
The report states that “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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 51% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| 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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