St Columba CE Primary School
Fareham, PO15 6LL · Hampshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
124th 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 — 7.1/10 against 1,807 of them, against 5.8/10 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 | 80.0 · 88 | 40% | 3.51 |
| 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.
St Columba CE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80% 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% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lego Club, Clay Craft, and TTRS Club, or play Girls Football and Multi-sports. Trips include visits to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Arundel, and Zoolab. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 100 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Columba CE Primary School
Overview
St Columba CE Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Following previous leadership turbulence, the school is now described as being in ‘safe hands’ and ‘going from strength to strength’. Pupils are happy, behave well, and benefit from a caring environment where expectations have risen.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘behave well’, are ‘kind to each other’, and maintain ‘warm and respectful’ relationships with staff.
- The school has ‘successfully introduced a new approach to the teaching of phonics’, ensuring pupils ‘learn to read well’.
- Children in the early years get off to a ‘flying start’ in a ‘highly engaging environment’ where staff ‘model language clearly’.
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and builds knowledge in a ‘well-ordered way’, with effective support for pupils with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Pupils benefit from ‘many personal development opportunities’ that broaden their experiences and help them ‘recognise and regulate their emotions’.
Areas to improve
- In ‘a few foundation subjects’, the curriculum needs refining to ensure clarity on what pupils must learn, as some do not acquire ‘deep knowledge’.
- The school must continue work to address inconsistencies in writing, ensuring younger pupils in key stage 1 and lower key stage 2 achieve the standards expected for their age.
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 | 31% |
| 2023/24 | 28% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| 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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