Pondhu Primary School
St. Austell, PL25 5DS · Cornwall · primary school
Check the area around this school
180th of 218 primary schools in Cornwall we can score, 236 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 — 1.3/10 against 1,383 of them, against 1.3/10 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 | 47.0 · 15 | 40% | 0.60 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Pondhu Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard was 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.3 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 187 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. 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 47.0% meeting the expected standard, what specific strategies are used to support pupils who are falling behind in maths? How does the school track progress for those who did not reach the higher standard? What does a typical day look like for a child joining in the current academic year?
What Ofsted said about Pondhu Primary School
Overview
Pondhu Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a “welcoming and happy place” where pupils feel a “strong sense of pride.” Leaders have driven improvement through an “aspirational culture” and a well-sequenced curriculum that ensures knowledge builds effectively. The school is highly inclusive, with appropriate adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Staff possess “strong subject knowledge” and identify misconceptions swiftly, helping pupils recall knowledge well.
- Leaders have “prioritised reading,” ensuring children learn to read in a “coherent and consistent way” from Reception.
- The curriculum is “well sequenced,” allowing pupils to build on prior learning, such as progressing from treasure maps to creating maps with symbols.
- Leaders use pupil premium funding effectively to ensure disadvantaged pupils access a “wealth of trips” and extracurricular clubs.
- Staff feel supported, and workload has eased as the new curriculum has become more embedded.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, leaders have not yet established systems for checking how well pupils have learned the curriculum, meaning they are not clear whether pupils recall and use knowledge as well as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders establishing a “culture of vigilance” and staff diligently noting concerns to build up the “whole picture” of the pupil.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 47% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of PL25 5DS, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT