Thomas Harding Junior School, Chesham

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Thomas Harding Junior School on 6 areas: 2 strong standard and 4 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 set high expectations for all pupils, including those who may need extra support with learning or wellbeing."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders place pupils' wellbeing at the centre of their work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is in line with national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious and broad curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's strengths and areas for development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further develop staff's expertise in checking pupils' learning, so that they consistently identify and address any gaps and misconceptions that pupils have"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching supports pupils to consistently build on their letter formation skills to help them secure fluent, accurate and legible handwriting".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are all immensely proud of our school and the strength of our incredibly diverse community of children, parents, staff and governors. We work together to ensure that every child is cared for, nurtured and respected , providing an environment where all children can flourish and achieve their very best."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, tennis, running, choir and chess.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care, from £6.50 per session.

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Thomas Harding Junior School reached the expected standard in reading and 88% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 81% and 77% in Buckinghamshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 68% in reading and 74% in maths in 2024.

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

Buckinghamshire published that the last place offered for 2019 entry went to a family 0.513 miles away. The cut-off moves every year with the number of applications.

The nearest other state primary schools to Thomas Harding Junior School are Waterside Primary Academy (0.7 miles, 63% reading, 41% maths); Our Lady's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles, 88% reading, 81% maths); Elmtree Infant and Nursery School (0.8 miles); and Newtown School (0.9 miles, Good).

Thomas Harding Junior School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

Thomas Harding Junior School is one of 15 schools run by Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 74% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

26.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (48%), Asian (31%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 49 pupils (20.6%) received SEN support and 5 (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 Underground station is Chesham Underground Station, about 520 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Red Lion Street (northbound), 260 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 110 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Buckinghamshire (44), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Thomas Harding Junior School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Thomas Harding Junior School are Chiltern Hills Academy (0.6 miles), Chesham Grammar School (0.8 miles) and Dr Challoner's Grammar School (1.7 miles).