Highwood Copse Primary School

  • Primary
  • Free school
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Highwood Copse Way, Newbury, RG20 9BSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Highwood Copse Primary School is a primary school in Newbury for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 98 schools in West Berkshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 October 2023, report published 20 November 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
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 3 October 2023

Pupils thrive at this ambitious school. They build strong relationships and feel happy and safe. Children in the early years quickly make friends and learn the school's routines. They develop confidence and make secure progress through the curriculum. Staff want all pupils to reach the highest standards. Lessons are engaging. The school prioritises implementing the curriculum effectively, which helps all pupils to achieve well. Staff create a calm and purposeful atmosphere. Behaviour in classrooms and around the school reflects the school's high expectations. Pupils are rightly proud of their positive attitudes to learning. Pupils enjoy helping each other by, for example, sharing playground resources or setting out equipment for each other before lessons. Pupils learn about and demonstrate the school's values of hope, love, peace, joy, trust, respect and integrity. They enjoy celebrating these together in assemblies. Pupils are respectful towards each other and staff. They can describe healthy relationships and know about leading physically and mentally healthy lives. One pupil echoed the views of many, saying, 'Everybody is welcome at our school.' This is reflected in the friendly way that pupils work and play together. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe, including when online.

What the school should improve

  • In the wider curriculum, pupils have some gaps in their knowledge. As a result, pupils are not always able to make links in their learning and achieve as highly as they could. The school should develop assessment processes further in efficient and effective ways.

Pupil numbers and mix

149 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals11.4%

11.4%, 15.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4%

4%, 17.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.1%

10.1%, 4.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.7%

2.7%, 3.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Highwood Copse Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Willows Primary School0.7 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard66% met the expected standard
St John the Evangelist CofE Infant and Nursery School0.8 milesOfsted judgements: GoodNot published
Falkland Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good65% met the expected standard
John Rankin Infant and Nursery School1 mileOfsted: GoodNot published
John Rankin Junior School1 mileOfsted judgements: Inadequate to goodNot published

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
THE THAMES LEARNING TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Miss Serraphina Robinson
Address
Highwood Copse Way, Newbury, RG20 9BS
Local authority
West Berkshire
URN
141882

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.