Soudley School, Cinderford

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Soudley School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders work collaboratively with parents and carers to identify pupils' special educational needs and/or disabilities swiftly and accurately."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Most pupils achieve outcomes that are in line with national expectations by the end of Year 6."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Most pupils arrive punctually at school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that develops pupils' knowledge and skills as they progress through the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a positive start to school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Since the previous inspection, leaders have driven school improvement with meticulous attention."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The personal development programme is coherent and broad."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should continue their work to secure consistently high attendance for all pupils and ensure that this is sustained over time. • Leaders should ensure pupils remember important content in the personal, social, health and economic curriculum so that they develop secure knowledge and understanding. • Leaders should ensure the impact of the new approach to teaching writing is reviewed regularly so that pupils' handwriting and the quality of writing continues to improve".

In its own words: "We are part of The Forest Federation of Soudley, Steam Mills and Woodside Primary Schools and all schools benefit from our partnership; the sharing of resources and expertise. We nurture a love of life, love of learning and mutual respect. We aim to provide a stimulating and challenging environment where everyone is happy, valued and every voice if heard."

In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at Soudley School reached the expected standard in reading and 50% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 75% in Gloucestershire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (58% in reading, 67% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 3 families put Soudley School as their first choice and 7 named it as one of their preferences, for 4 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 Soudley School are St White's Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 76% reading, 83% maths); Littledean Church of England Primary School (1.9 miles, Requires improvement, 70% reading, 50% maths); Newnham St Peter's Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, 75% reading, 88% maths); and Forest View Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 85% maths).

Soudley School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Soudley School (as of April 2026): 78% would recommend the school, 82% say their child is happy there and 14% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (85%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (14%).

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 12 pupils (27.3%) received SEN support and 7 (15.9%) 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.

Soudley School had 3 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 Dean Forest Railway, about 3.1 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Soudley Primary (outside), 70 metres away.

In 2024/25, Soudley School issued 3 suspensions, 7.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.