Sopley Primary School
Christchurch, BH23 8ET · Hampshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
273rd 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 — 0.4/10 against 3,328 of them, against 0.8/10 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 | 38.0 · 7 | 40% | 0.27 |
| 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.
Sopley Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, 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 (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 71 pupils against a stated capacity of 118. 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 literacy and numeracy? What specific interventions are in place to help children reach the higher standard? How does the school monitor progress for pupils with similar backgrounds to the national average?
What Ofsted said about Sopley Primary School
Overview
Sopley Primary School continues to be a good school, characterised by a strong sense of community and high staff ambition for all pupils. The report highlights that pupils show kindness and respect, benefiting from a caring environment where older students support younger ones. While the curriculum is generally ambitious and well-sequenced, there are specific inconsistencies in how learning is assessed and retained across all subjects.
Strengths
- Staff have created a "real sense of community" where pupils show "kindness and respect" and feel safe.
- The curriculum is "ambitious," with carefully planned visitors and trips that enhance learning across a broad range of subjects.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "effective support" and can access the full curriculum through well-chosen adaptations.
- Reading is prioritised with "effective phonics teaching," ensuring pupils make a "strong start" and receive quick support if they fall behind.
- Behaviour is excellent, with "low-level disruption" being rare, and attendance is "improving strongly" due to effective school action.
Areas to improve
- The school must establish "robust systems of assessment" across all subjects to ensure staff understand what pupils know and adjust teaching accordingly.
- In a very small number of subjects, pupils have not learned essential knowledge "sufficiently securely," meaning they struggle to draw on prior learning and do not achieve as well as they could.
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 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 27% |
| 2024/25 | 38% |
| 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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