Gurnard Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

Baring Road, Cowes, PO31 8DSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Gurnard Primary School is a primary school in Cowes for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 50 schools in Isle of Wight. It ranks 6th of 35 primary schools in Isle of Wight. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 February 2025, report published 9 March 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 February 2025

Pupils are extremely happy and proud to attend Gurnard Primary School. Pupils told inspectors that 'everybody is welcome'. They are guided by the school's values, which aim for everyone to feel respected, successful and that they 'belong'. Pupils show heartfelt kindness as they learn and play together. They feel safe and know that staff will listen if they are worried about something. The school fosters an environment that is aspirational for the achievement of all groups of pupils. The curriculum is broad and ambitious. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have the same opportunities as their peers and are well supported to be successful. Pupils try hard and achieve well. Pupils' behaviour is excellent. They are polite and well mannered. They listen attentively and take turns to speak. Pupils understand the importance of learning the curriculum. Children in the early years are inquisitive. They enjoy exploring the highly purposeful learning activities the school provides. All pupils benefit from the school's well-considered outdoor activities during both lessons and playtimes. Pupils relish the leadership responsibilities on offer at the school, such as being 'young governors' and 'equality and rights advocates'. Pupils embrace difference, for example they respect other cultures.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, the school does not make sure that staff know how well pupils remember their previous learning. This means that sometimes staff do not build pupils' new knowledge, skills and vocabulary securely. The school should ensure that it checks pupils' knowledge effectively and adapts teaching to build pupils' understanding well.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths3%

3%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score107

107, 1 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

522 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals8.6%

8.6%, 17.9 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8.4%

8.4%, 13.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.2%

17.2%, 2.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.9%

1.9%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Gurnard Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Lanesend Primary School0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Good37% met the expected standard
Northwood Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good50% met the expected standard
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School2 milesReport card: Needs attention to strong standard35% met the expected standard
Queensgate Foundation Primary2 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding68% met the expected standard
Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy4 milesOfsted judgements: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Clemma Yardley
Address
Baring Road, Cowes, PO31 8DS
Local authority
Isle of Wight
URN
118160

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.