Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School, Reading

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in early years settle quickly, arriving happily each morning and responding well to the warm welcome from trusted staff."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Pupils who require extra support are included fully in the life of the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders take effective and prompt action to improve the standard of education that pupils receive."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed an appropriate personal development programme that is well matched to pupils' ages."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over the past 3 years, the school's results in national tests in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 have often been below the national average."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Attendance is below national averages and not consistently improving over time."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that they embed and sustain their actions to bring pupils' attendance at least in line with national averages"; "Leaders should consistently embed improvement to the curriculum and teaching to ensure that pupils strengthen their foundational knowledge, making sure that any gaps are addressed and pupils achieve at least in line with national expectations over time"; "In the early years, leaders should ensure that staff maximise opportunities for children's learning through consistently high-quality interactions across all areas of provision"; "Leaders should continue to develop strong partnerships with parents and carers in support of the school's work".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our school motto is 'Aspire, Believe, Achieve' and we are committed to ensuring that all children succeed and do well. Our recent Ofsted inspection pleasingly recognised how our children feel about life at Whitley Park: "Pupils speak fondly of life at Whitley Park Primary, the adults who work there and the many friendships they have. " (Ofsted December 2021)"

The school runs after-school care until 4:30pm.

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Reading and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (65% in reading, 61% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 44 families put Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School as their first choice and 111 named it as one of their preferences, for 45 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 Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School are Christ The King Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 77% reading, 70% maths); Geoffrey Field Infant School (0.7 miles, Outstanding); Geoffrey Field Junior School (0.7 miles, Good, 70% reading, 80% maths); and The Ridgeway Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 72% reading, 69% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School.

36.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 29.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (37%), Asian (28%) and Mixed (15%).

In 2026, 172 pupils (33.7%) received SEN support and 33 (6.5%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Reading Green Park, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Whitley Park School (adjacent), 150 metres away.

In 2024/25, Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School issued 33 suspensions, 6.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School are Hartland High School (0.4 miles), Reading Girls' School (0.4 miles) and Reading School (1.3 miles).