Harwell Primary School

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

The Styles, Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0HXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Harwell Primary School is a primary school in Didcot for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 359 schools in Oxfordshire. It ranks 10th of 12 primary schools in Didcot. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 23 May 2017, report published 3 July 2017

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 September 2022

Every pupil receives a warm welcome and a smile at the start of each day. Pupils are proud of their school, of how they get along together and of how kind they are. This is a caring school with a real sense of family and belonging. Pupils love to learn new things alongside their friends, irrespective of different backgrounds or abilities. Leaders encourage pupils to make the most of the opportunities available, including community involvement and Fitness Fridays. Leaders have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and how they should behave. Pupils rise well to meet these challenges. They try hard to make the right choices in class, and play sensibly during breaktimes. Bullying is not something that pupils worry about. They feel safe and well cared for. Pupils say that if they have any worries, staff listen and deal with their concerns swiftly. The school rules of 'be kind, be safe and be your best' are understood and lived out by all pupils. The school is inclusive, which parents acknowledge and appreciate. All pupils benefit from the wide range of trips, residential visits and clubs. They particularly enjoy the extensive grounds and special features. These include the swimming pool and all-weather pitch, to develop their interests and talents.

What the school should improve

  • In some foundation subjects, leaders have not precisely laid out what knowledge and skills pupils need to learn. This leads to teachers being unclear about what to teach across a series of lessons. Subject leaders require further training or support to sequence this curriculum content step by step.
  • Assessment in some foundation subjects is not yet consistently in place. Teachers are therefore not always confident in knowing how secure pupils are in their understanding of key knowledge. Leaders should carefully monitor the effectiveness of assessment to ensure that pupils know and remember more across the school's curriculum.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

26 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

210 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals15.2%

15.2%, 11.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.6%

7.6%, 14 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.8%

13.8%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan8.1%

8.1%, 2.1 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Harwell Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Blaise CofE Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard
Didcot Primary Academy1 mileOfsted: Outstanding80% met the expected standard
Aureus Primary School1 mileOfsted: Outstanding78% met the expected standard
Stephen Freeman Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
St Amand's Catholic Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good67% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Bryn Gibson
Address
The Styles, Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0HX
Local authority
Oxfordshire
URN
123062

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.