St Francis CofE Primary School
Swindon, SN25 1UH · Swindon · primary school
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17th of 54 primary schools in Swindon we can score, 66 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 the 1,942 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6/10 among them, against 6.6/10 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 | 70.0 · 65 | 40% | 2.61 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Francis CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 70.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 10.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6 out of 10 among them, against 6.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Soccer Excellence, Football Club, and Ballet. Sports include hockey, netball, gymnastics, Friday football, fencing, swimming, archery, and skateboarding. Dance is offered for arts and music, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 432 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 to move from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific support is available for children who need extra help in reading or maths? How does the school manage the transition for new starters given the current pupil numbers?
What Ofsted said about St Francis CofE Primary School
Overview
St Francis CofE Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ rating. The report describes a “friendly place” where pupils feel safe, valued, and eager to learn, supported by staff who build positive relationships. While the curriculum is ambitious and well-designed, particularly in reading and mathematics, inconsistencies in assessment across wider subjects hinder some pupils’ long-term progress.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “designed well,” with a clear focus on reading where pupils develop “fluency and accuracy” and a “love of reading.”
- Teachers “explain new concepts clearly” in mathematics, helping pupils build confidence from the early years through to complex problem-solving.
- Pupils demonstrate “positive attitudes to learning,” taking pride in their work and showing a “mature understanding of different faiths and cultures.”
- Effective systems identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling most to “progress well through the curriculum.”
- Staff build “positive relationships” that help pupils feel safe, while governors “support and hold the school to account” effectively.
Areas to improve
- Assessment in some wider curriculum subjects, such as computing, is “in its infancy” and not yet used well enough to identify gaps in knowledge or deepen understanding.
- The school must ensure assessment is used effectively across all subjects to inform future learning and prevent pupils from having “gaps in their knowledge.”
- Some parents feel their concerns are “not considered carefully enough,” suggesting a need for improved engagement with parental feedback.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting an open and positive culture that puts pupils’ interests first.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 70% |
| 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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