South Lake Primary School, Reading

In its own words: "To talk to the children about our values, we use the language: At South Lake Primary School we are committed to equity and justice. We aim for every pupil to fulfil their potential, no matter what their needs."

In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at South Lake Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 92% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 86% and 83% in Wokingham and 77% and 75% across England.

For September 2026 entry, 46 families put South Lake Primary School as their first choice and 129 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 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 South Lake Primary School are Beechwood Primary School (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 75% reading, 68% maths); Rivermead Primary School (0.5 miles, 86% reading, 84% maths); Highwood Primary School (0.5 miles); and St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 97% reading, 97% maths).

South Lake Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

South Lake Primary School is one of 10 schools run by Orchard Learning Alliance, an academy trust.

98 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about South Lake Primary School (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

11.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 36.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (47%), Asian (27%) and Mixed (9%).

In 2026, 64 pupils (14.4%) received SEN support and 11 (2.5%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Earley Rail Station, about 950 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Livingstone Gardens (adj 31), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood South Lake Primary School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 127 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 Wokingham (70), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, South Lake Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to South Lake Primary School are The Bulmershe School (0.7 miles), Maiden Erlegh School (1 mile), UTC Reading (1.4 miles) and Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (1.4 miles).