The Palmer Primary Academy
70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7PPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Palmer Primary Academy is a primary school in Reading for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 70 schools in Reading. It ranks 37th of 81 primary schools in Reading. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 22 November 2022, report published 15 January 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 22 November 2022
Pupils, parents and staff are proud of this kind and inclusive school. Staff prioritise getting to know pupils and their families. Current pupils welcome new friends, including those new to the country, with open arms. Pupils embrace the diversity in the school and the way that everyone is respectful. They know this helps make school such a special place for them. From the very start of their schooling, pupils embrace the 'Palmer Powers'. The values, which include being resilient, collaborative and independent, permeate through the school. These high expectations lead to a school of pupils who are courteous and who try to do what is right. Pupils understand the difference between unkind incidents and bullying. They know bullying can happen, but it is rare. They appreciate the pastoral support that is available to them to support them with any worries. Pupils like the interesting books and topics that teachers select for them to learn. The weekly celebration assembly is a treasured time to recognise the qualities pupils have shown across the school. Members of the Palmer Parliament, house captains, play leaders and librarians all fulfil their responsibilities with pride.
What the school should improve
- Support plans for pupils with SEND do not always accurately identify how pupils' specific needs will be met. This means these pupils do not always get the support they need to achieve well. Leaders need to ensure all staff have the knowledge to identify the individual needs of all pupils with SEND and the skills to action the right support to achieve the best possible outcomes across the curriculum.
- Subject and pedagogical knowledge are not strong for all teachers. Teachers do not use the most effective strategies to ensure that pupils transfer knowledge into their long-term memory. This means that pupils do not always learn as well as they should. Leaders need to strengthen teachers' knowledge to ensure that all pupils learn and remember the full curriculum well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
44 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
436 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near The Palmer Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Christ Church Church of England Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Katesgrove Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School | 0.7 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 53% met the expected standard |
| Coley Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Redlands Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- REACH2 ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Anne Higginbotham
- Phone
- 01189375481
- Address
- 70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7PP
- Local authority
- Reading
- URN
- 139653
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.