Dovelands Primary School, Leicester

Ofsted's report card from its 8 September 2026 inspection grades Dovelands Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically learn the knowledge and skills they need across the curriculum to prepare them for the next stage of their education."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a detailed understanding of matters relating to pupils' attendance and communicate consistently high attendance expectations to parents and carers."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "The children in the Nursery and Reception classes get off to a flying start."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' barriers to learning effectively."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors are united in their determination to provide the very best for all pupils at Dovelands."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a coherent programme of personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop pupils' writing skills so that more pupils achieve at greater depth by the end of key stage 2"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching is of a consistently high standard in all subjects so that pupils secure their knowledge and skills across the curriculum"; "Leaders should continue their work to further increase attendance rates for groups of pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged".

In its own words: "When defining the social element of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) OFSTED September 2014 states. 'The social development of pupils is shown by their......"

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, gymnastics and guitar.

The school runs after-school care until 5:45pm.

In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Dovelands Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 75% in Leicester and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 73% in reading and 66% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 50 families put Dovelands Primary School as their first choice and 126 named it as one of their preferences, for 58 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Dovelands Primary School are Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 82% reading, 76% maths); Queensmead Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 95% reading, 97% maths); Inglehurst Infant School (0.6 miles); and Imperial Avenue Infant School (0.6 miles, Good).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Dovelands Primary School.

15.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 37.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (43%), Asian (18%) and Mixed (14%).

In 2026, 80 pupils (15%) received SEN support and 11 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Leicester Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dovelands School (opposite), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 689 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Leicester (382), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Dovelands Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Dovelands Primary School are Fullhurst Community College (0.7 miles), Castle Mead Academy (0.9 miles), Brook Mead Academy (0.9 miles) and The Herewoode Academy (0.9 miles).