Parsons Down Junior School
Herons Way, Thatcham, RG19 3SROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Parsons Down Junior School is a primary school in Thatcham for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 98 schools in West Berkshire. It ranks 12th of 12 primary schools in Thatcham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 6 June 2017, report published 13 July 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 July 2022
Pupils enjoy their Parsons Down experience. They are happy and friendly to all. They are justifiably proud of being an official 'eco-school'. Pupils are excellent role models for protecting the planet. They ensure that everyone reduces energy use, litter and waste. The keen pupil eco-committee valiantly lead the way. This demonstrates how adults actively encourage pupils to 'make a difference together'. The headteacher and her staff are highly ambitious for all pupils. This starts with teaching pupils how to behave. Pupils know to do the right thing and they work hard. They love to collect as many 'learning gems' as they can. Pupils are not worried about bullying and feel safe. They trust that adults will listen and help. Pupils love the outdoors, especially their learning on 'Fresh air Fridays'. Pupils are in their element at playtimes as staff keep them active and busy. Pupils love to compete in sports, and they are proud of their ongoing sporting success. There are excellent opportunities for pupils to lead. Staff help pupils understand their role as citizens through being librarians, house captains and games makers, and through other chances. Pupils even stood with the town mayor to fly the flag for Commonwealth Day.
What the school should improve
- While pupils know how they are expected to behave, some low-level disruption is not always addressed quickly enough by teachers. Leaders need to ensure that their high expectations for behaviour are met in lessons and that staff apply rules and routines consistently well.
- Some pupils with SEND do not always learn the same knowledge as their peers. This happens when teachers sometimes adapt the curriculum in a way which asks less of these pupils. Leaders need to continue supporting teachers to effectively meet these pupils' needs in learning the school's highly ambitious curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
57 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
139 pupils on roll, with places for 150
Schools near Parsons Down Junior School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons Down Infant School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Whitelands Park Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Thatcham Park CofE Primary | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 51% met the expected standard |
| Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 53% met the expected standard |
| Spurcroft Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 49% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Alice Mills
- Phone
- 01635866700
- Address
- Herons Way, Thatcham, RG19 3SR
- Local authority
- West Berkshire
- URN
- 109923
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.