Upton Junior School
Poole, BH16 5NQ · Dorset · primary school
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54th of 79 primary schools in Dorset we can score, 119 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 — 1.6/10 against 2,594 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 47.0 · 15 | 40% | 0.60 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Upton Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (1.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Strictly Stage, Kickboxing, and Mini Handball clubs, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 351 pupils against a stated capacity of 384. 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 maths? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in writing? How does the after-school club integrate with the main curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Upton Junior School
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this welcoming school, benefiting from a strong pastoral support system and a culture of ‘aspiration, resilience and curiosity’. Leaders have high expectations, designing an engaging curriculum that fosters positive attitudes towards learning, with most parents supporting this view. The school is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, reflecting effective leadership and a focus on pupil well-being.
Strengths
- Leaders place a ‘sharp focus on reading’, ensuring a consistent phonics programme and access to high-quality texts, helping pupils who struggle to catch up quickly.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with ‘strong links with external agencies’ ensuring effective planning and provision.
- Pupils are polite, confident, and behave well, with ‘low-level disruption’ being rare and staff acting quickly to maintain learning.
- The mathematics curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge over time, with staff adapting learning effectively for SEND pupils.
- Pupils appreciate enrichment activities and opportunities to take responsibility, such as serving on the school council, while developing an understanding of different cultures and healthy relationships.
Areas to improve
- In mathematics, leaders must ensure the curriculum provides frequent opportunities for all pupils to apply their knowledge through problem-solving and reasoning to deepen understanding.
- In some wider curriculum subjects, leaders need to explicitly identify and sequence the specific content pupils need to learn to prevent gaps in subject-specific knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring a strong culture is in place, staff receiving frequent training, and systems for reporting concerns being robust.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 55% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 2024/25 | 47% |
| 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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