Poulner Junior School
Ringwood, BH24 3LA · Hampshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
115th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.5/10 against 3,014 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 68.0 · 60 | 40% | 2.40 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Poulner Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 68.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including chess, knitting, choir, computing, and Forest School. Sports options cover netball, cross country, football, multi-skills, and basketball. Arts activities include art club, musical theatre, and gardening. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 265 pupils against a stated capacity of 288. 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 not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the Forest School sessions? How are class sizes managed given the current roll?
What Ofsted said about Poulner Junior School
Overview
Poulner Junior School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending this “happy school,” where the “HEART values” are threaded through all aspects of life, fostering a positive and respectful environment. Overall, pupils achieve well and are well-prepared for their next stage of education.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate high levels of engagement and pride, enthusiastically sharing their learning, such as constructing Viking longhouses.
- The school prioritises reading, implementing a “well-sequenced phonics curriculum” with well-trained staff to support confident reading.
- The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” with teachers possessing strong subject knowledge and using effective retrieval practices.
- Effective procedures ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are quickly identified and supported.
- Governance is a strength, with the governing body providing “effective support and challenge,” contributing to high staff morale.
Areas to improve
- Teachers need to make more adaptations to ensure disadvantaged pupils with barriers to learning progress well through the intended curriculum.
- Learning across the curriculum is not adapted effectively enough for disadvantaged pupils, meaning they “do not learn as well as they could.”
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 | 61% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 68% |
| 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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