St Denys Primary School
Southampton, SO17 2ND · Southampton · primary school
Check the area around this school
21st of 45 primary schools in Southampton we can score, 55 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 — 4.5/10 against 1,939 of them, against 3.9/10 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 | 41.0 · 9 | 40% | 0.35 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 17.0 · 87 | 25% | 2.18 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Denys Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 17.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 207 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
With 3 places currently available, how does the school manage waiting lists for the next academic year? Since the inspection was recent, what specific actions are being taken to raise attainment in maths? How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in reading?
What Ofsted said about St Denys Primary School
Overview
St Denys Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a welcoming environment where pupils are “immensely proud” and behave well, supported by staff who know them well. Most pupils achieve well, benefiting from an ambitious curriculum and strong support for those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils arrive “brimming with enthusiasm” and benefit from a “caring ethos” praised by parents.
- The school sets “high expectations for pupils’ behaviour,” resulting in polite, respectful interactions and effective leadership roles for older pupils.
- Reading is “at the heart of the curriculum,” helping pupils become “confident and skilled readers” through phonics and shared reading habits.
- Teachers are well-supported with subject knowledge, ensuring pupils use “subject-specific vocabulary” accurately and deepen learning through discussion.
- The governing body has an “accurate view of the school” and appropriately supports and challenges leaders.
Areas to improve
- “On occasions, learning tasks and activities are not designed well enough to allow pupils to achieve the intended learning,” meaning some pupils “do not learn as well as they could.” The school should support teachers to design effective tasks.
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 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 62% |
| 2024/25 | 41% |
| 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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