Pillowell Community Primary School, Lydney

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades Pillowell Community 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. "Most pupils achieve well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations for pupils' attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a coherent and ambitious curriculum for all pupils that clearly sets out what pupils should learn."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years to give children a successful start to their education, with a clear vision for providing high-quality education and care."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a positive culture of inclusion across the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors, know the school community well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a well-considered personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop the consistent use of assessment to ensure that teaching builds on pupils' learning as swiftly as they are able, including supporting language development in the early years"; "Leaders should continue to strengthen the school's work to develop pupils' writing across the curriculum, particularly in handwriting and spelling".

In 2025, 78% of Year 6 pupils at Pillowell Community Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 75% in Gloucestershire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 57% in reading and 57% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Pillowell Community Primary School as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Pillowell Community Primary School are Yorkley Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 86% reading, 82% maths); Parkend Primary School (1 mile, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); Bream Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 53% reading, 65% maths); and Primrose Hill Church of England Primary Academy (1.5 miles, Good, 90% reading, 100% maths).

Pillowell Community Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

16.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 18 pupils (24.7%) received SEN support and 7 (9.6%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

Pillowell Community Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Parkend (Dean Forest Railway), about 1 mile away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pillowell School (near), 130 metres away.

In 2024/25, Pillowell Community Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 8.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.