Orchid Vale Primary School
Swindon, SN25 1UG · Swindon · primary school
Check the area around this school
40th of 54 primary schools in Swindon 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 the 3,869 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6/10 among them, against 3.1/10 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 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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.
Orchid Vale Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% 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 5.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6 out of 10 among them, against 3.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 355 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 strategies are used to raise attainment in writing? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in results?
What Ofsted said about Orchid Vale Primary School
Overview
Orchid Vale Primary School is described as a welcoming and inclusive environment where pupils enjoy attending and feel happy and safe. The report highlights a positive culture with high expectations for behaviour, noting that pupils are polite, well-mannered, and take pride in their school.
Strengths
- Pupils enthusiastically take on leadership roles, such as reading ambassadors and school councillors, giving them a voice in school improvement.
- Reading is a clear priority, with children developing a love of reading from nursery through to confident, fluent reading in later years.
- The curriculum for personal development is a strength, teaching pupils about values like honesty, perseverance, and kindness.
- Staff know pupils well and promptly identify those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), providing effective support.
- The trust and school share a clear vision, with staff feeling well supported and proud of the school.
Areas to improve
- In a few foundation subjects, the curriculum is less well developed than in core subjects and does not identify precise content pupils need to learn.
- The school needs to ensure it checks how well pupils learn and remember knowledge in these subjects to identify gaps effectively.
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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| 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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