Padnell Junior School
Waterlooville, PO8 8EA · Hampshire · primary school
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126th of 300 primary schools in Hampshire we can score, 420 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.9/10 against 3,623 of them, against 5.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Padnell Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and attend residential trips, including a Year 3 sleepover, Year 4 and Year 6 residencies, and Year 5 camping. Year 5 also visits the Winchester Science Centre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 360 pupils against a stated capacity of 372. 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific support is available for children who find the residential trips challenging? How does the School Council influence decisions about the curriculum or school events?
What Ofsted said about Padnell Junior School
Overview
Padnell Junior School continues to be a good school, where the vision of pupils ‘reaching for the stars’ is evident in everything they do. The inspection confirms that pupils usually achieve well across the curriculum and benefit from a positive, supportive environment that encourages high attendance and excellent behaviour.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘impeccable’ behaviour and ‘superb manners’, feeling safe and confident to discuss worries with staff.
- The curriculum is well-defined, with reading at its heart; phonics is taught ‘consistently well’, and the library is described as the ‘jewel in the crown’.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is swift and effective, enabling them to achieve as well as their peers.
- Staff are ‘passionate’ and skilled, designing tasks focused on important content while maintaining a culture of ‘compassionate challenge’.
- Citizenship education is comprehensive, preparing pupils for future stages through topics like money management and personal safety.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, key knowledge has not been defined with sufficient detail, meaning pupils do not consistently recall key learning with enough clarity over time.
- The school must identify the most important content, give pupils opportunities to revisit it, and check that they build on this learning over time.
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 | 47% |
| 2023/24 | 59% |
| 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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