Theale C.E. Primary School, Reading
Theale C.E. Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Reading. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2012. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 10th-highest of the 85 schools in Reading with published results, and 814th of 14,452 across England. It was 97% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2012)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to West Berkshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Theale C.E. Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Theale C.E. Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 71% in West Berkshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 87% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Theale C.E. Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 33 families put Theale C.E. Primary School as their first choice and 63 named it as one of their preferences, for 35 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Theale C.E. Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Theale C.E. Primary School are Englefield C.E. Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 69% reading, 75% maths); Calcot Infant School and Nursery (1.5 miles, Good); Calcot Junior School (1.5 miles, Good, 73% reading, 69% maths); and Springfield Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 88% reading, 81% maths).
Theale C.E. Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Englefield C.E. Primary SchoolCalcot Infant School and NurseryCalcot Junior SchoolSpringfield Primary School
What parents say
52 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Theale C.E. Primary School (as of September 2025): 96% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 77% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (77%).
Who goes there
10.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (74%), Asian (8%) and Mixed (8%).
In 2026, 49 pupils (16.3%) received SEN support and 21 (7%) 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 autism.
Theale C.E. Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 12 places, 11 pupils on roll.
Staffing
Theale C.E. Primary School had 24 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Theale Rail Station, about 950 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Deadman's Lane (adjacent), 170 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 10 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, other theft and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in West Berkshire (26).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Theale C.E. Primary School issued 13 suspensions, 4.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Theale C.E. Primary School are Theale Green School (0.2 miles) and Little Heath School (1.6 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from October 2012, 14 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This school goes far beyond academics to develop the whole child. Pupils are confident, happy and supported by staff who model positive relationships and embed strong values. The school is particularly ambitious for all learners, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, ensuring no child is left behind and everyone can access the full range of enriching experiences on offer.
Key Strengths
- Expertly designed curriculum that builds logically, with teachers using excellent subject knowledge to teach with confidence and flair
- Reading is prioritised from entry - phonics taught efficiently with pupils acquiring skills quickly and enthusiasm for challenging texts
- All pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, are fully included and achieve excellent outcomes
- Behaviour is impeccable across the school with high attendance rates
- Rich personal development opportunities including performing arts, leadership roles, sporting events and cultural experiences
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with school leaders creating an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Annual musical productions, steel band, singing for the local community, sporting events, school council, prefects, librarians, daily Cultural Connoisseur sessions, breakfast club, after-school club, links with local church
Theale C.E. Primary School is an Outstanding school where pupils love learning and thrive in a supportive, inclusive environment. Staff are committed to the school's vision that 'children come first', ensuring all pupils flourish academically and personally.
At a Glance
20.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Resourced provision: Autism
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
52 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 87% to 93% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 83% to 93% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 89% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.4
Avg class size
26.4
KS2
11
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Theale C.E. Primary School
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Theale C.E. Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Theale C.E. Primary School is in West Berkshire; for families living there:
Apply to West Berkshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in West Berkshire is 3 (the median across 99 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Theale C.E. Primary School
Will you get a place at Theale C.E. Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Theale C.E. Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Theale C.E. Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Theale C.E. Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from West Berkshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Theale C.E. Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in West Berkshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
97%
Near capacity
307 pupils
315 places
8 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Reading
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Reading
Across West Berkshire council
Places available
2,024
Applications
1,547
Got 1st preference
90.8%
Got preferred school
98.3%
All primary applications across West Berkshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(5)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
49
SEN Support
21
EHC Plans
23.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Theale C.E. Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 12 places, 11 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
301
Total Pupils
169
Boys
132
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
24
Teachers
12.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,834
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,318
Per pupil
£1825k
Total funding
£89k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.3%
Overall absence
12.0%
Persistent absence
276
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Theale C.E. Primary School
Questions parents ask about Theale C.E. Primary School
What are SATs results like at Theale C.E. Primary School?
Of the pupils at Theale C.E. Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 93% reached the expected standard in reading and 93% did so in maths.
What is Theale C.E. Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Theale C.E. Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2012, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Theale C.E. Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Theale C.E. Primary School is oversubscribed, West Berkshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Theale C.E. Primary School?
Theale C.E. Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 97% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Theale C.E. Primary School?
Classes at Theale C.E. Primary School average 27.4 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Theale C.E. Primary School?
Theale C.E. Primary School has around 301 pupils on roll. 21% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Theale C.E. Primary School have specialist SEN provision?
Theale C.E. Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 12 places, 11 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Theale C.E. Primary School?
5.3% of sessions were missed at Theale C.E. Primary School in 2024/25. 12% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Theale C.E. Primary School?
Apply through West Berkshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Theale C.E. Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Theale C.E. Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in West Berkshire is 3 (the median across 99 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Theale C.E. Primary School?
Theale C.E. Primary School is at Englefield Road, Reading, RG7 5AS.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)