Braywick Court School Review 2026: Outstanding Outcomes in a Nature Reserve

Nestled within the Braywick Nature Reserve, Braywick Court School offers a distinctive blend of modern facilities and immediate access to the natural world. Since opening in 2014, this single-form entry Free School has established itself as one of the most sought-after primary schools in Berkshire. The setting is unique; pupils learn in a purpose-built facility surrounded by greenery, yet the atmosphere is one of intense academic focus and high achievement.

Competition for the 30 Reception places is fierce. In 2024, the school received over eight applications for every seat, a statistic that reflects its reputation for excellence. Being part of the Bellevue Place Education Trust (BPET), the school benefits from a wider support network while maintaining a distinct local identity. The small cohort size creates a tight-knit community where staff know every child, but it also means the pace is fast and expectations are high.

At drop-off, the gates reveal a school that feels both intimate and expansive. The modern main building, opened in 2019, features clean lines and ample glass designed to bring the outside in, ensuring that the parkland setting is a constant backdrop to learning. This is not a sprawling campus but a focused educational hub where space is utilised intelligently. The proximity to the nature reserve allows for a curriculum that breathes; wellies are as essential as textbooks here, and the transition from classroom to outdoor learning is seamless.

Mrs Michelle Robertson has led the school since 2019, initially as Head of School before being appointed substantive Headteacher in 2023. Her leadership promotes a culture of "high challenge, low threat," where pupils are encouraged to take intellectual risks without fear of failure. The 2023 Ofsted inspection, which rated the school Outstanding in all areas, noted that leaders have created a "community of excellence" where ambition is the norm.

The school's ethos is built on the belief that children thrive when they feel safe and valued. This is evident in the "family dining" approach at lunchtime, where staff and pupils eat together, fostering conversation and social skills. The environment is modern but warm, avoiding the clinical feel that some new builds suffer from. Displays of pupil work are high-quality and celebrate not just the final product but the process of learning, reinforcing the school's growth mindset philosophy.

Academic outcomes at Braywick Court are exceptional, consistently placing the school among the highest-performing primaries in the country. In 2024, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%.

The school ranks 1,002nd in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 6th among primary schools in Maidenhead. This performance places it in the national high band, outperforming 93% of schools in England (top 7%).

Performance at the higher standard is particularly notable. In 2024, 35% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of just 8%. This suggests that the school is not merely getting children over the pass mark but is stretching the most able to achieve genuine depth in their learning.

Specific subject performance underscores this strength:

• Reading: The average scaled score was 109 (England average: 100), with 93% meeting the expected standard.
• Mathematics: Pupils achieved an average scaled score of 108, with 87% meeting the standard.
• Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling: The average score stood at 110, with 90% meeting the expected standard.

These results tell a consistent story: teaching is effective, the curriculum is delivered with precision, and pupils leave Year 6 with academic foundations well in advance of national norms.

The curriculum is broad, balanced, and unashamedly ambitious. It follows the National Curriculum but enhances it significantly through the BPET curriculum framework, which emphasises breadth and depth. Lessons are structured to ensure rapid progress. Teachers use questioning skillfully to probe understanding, ensuring that no child is left strictly "on task" without being "on learning."

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, the focus is heavily on securing the basics of literacy and numeracy. Phonics teaching is rigorous, following a systematic synthetic approach that ensures almost all children are reading fluently by the end of Year 1. This early fluency unlocks the wider curriculum, allowing older pupils to engage with complex texts and concepts in history, geography, and science.

Mathematics is taught using a mastery approach. This means the whole class moves through content at roughly the same pace, with ample time spent on deep understanding before moving on. For the rapid graspers, the challenge is not to rush to the next topic but to apply their knowledge to rich, complex problems. Evidence of this is found in the high proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in maths (37%).

Science and foundation subjects are not sidelined. The school leverages its location for science lessons, using the nature reserve for biology and ecology units. Specialist teaching is a feature here, particularly in Spanish, which is taught from the nursery years upwards. This commitment to languages from an early age fosters both linguistic skill and cultural awareness.

The transition to secondary school is a significant focus, and Braywick Court prepares pupils well for the next stage. Given the strong academic results, a significant proportion of leavers progress to local grammar schools. The rigorous academic preparation in Year 5 and Year 6 ensures that pupils are well-placed for the 11-plus examinations for schools such as Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, The Judd School equivalents in the region, or the consortium grammars in Slough and Buckinghamshire.

However, the school is not an exam factory, and staff work closely with families to identify the right fit for each child. Many pupils also move on to high-performing local comprehensive schools such as Furze Platt Senior School, Newlands Girls' School, or Desborough College. A smaller number may choose the independent sector, with local options like Claires Court being popular. The school provides clear guidance and support throughout the application process, ensuring parents are well-informed about their choices in the complex Maidenhead admissions landscape.

Admission to Braywick Court School is coordinated by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). With a Published Admission Number (PAN) of just 30, the school is small and heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 260 applications for the 30 available places, resulting in a subscription proportion of nearly 9 applicants per place.

The school is a community school and does not select by ability. When oversubscribed, priority is given to looked-after children, siblings of current pupils, and children of staff. The remaining places are allocated based on proximity to the school.

The last distance offered in recent years has been extremely tight, often shrinking to a catchment of just a few hundred metres from the school gates. Families should note that living in the wider Braywick area does not guarantee a place. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is intrinsic to the school’s small-school identity. Because there is only one class per year group, the "family" feel is genuine. Teachers and support staff know every child’s name, personality, and triggers. This allows for early intervention if a child is struggling, whether academically or socially.

The school employs a range of strategies to support wellbeing. "Jigsaw" PSHE lessons provide a structured curriculum for emotional literacy, mindfulness, and social skills. The school has also invested in training staff in mental health first aid. There is a strong emphasis on pupil voice; the School Council is active and taken seriously, giving children a stake in their environment.

Behaviour is managed through positive reinforcement. The expectations are high, but the support to meet them is consistent. Bullying is rare, and when it occurs, parents report it is dealt with swiftly and effectively. The school's inclusion team works hard to support pupils with SEND, ensuring that the high academic pace does not become exclusionary. Tailored support plans and close liaison with external agencies mean that children with additional needs are fully integrated into the life of the school.

The extracurricular offer at Braywick Court is designed to complement the academic curriculum and broaden horizons. The school runs an extended day, with a variety of clubs operating after school hours.

Sport

Despite its small size, the school punches above its weight in local fixtures. Utilising the extensive grounds and the nearby Braywick Leisure Centre for Key Stage 2 PE, pupils engage in football, netball, tag rugby, and athletics. The "Daily Mile" initiative keeps fitness high on the agenda. The school has achieved the School Games Gold Mark, reflecting its commitment to competition and participation.

The Arts

Creativity is equally valued. There is a school choir that performs at local events and school festivals, fostering a love of performance. Peripatetic music teachers offer tuition in instruments including piano and guitar. Art clubs and drama workshops provide outlets for self-expression.

Forest School

A standout feature is the "Forest School" provision. Taking full advantage of the surrounding nature reserve, younger pupils participate in regular Forest School sessions. These are not just playtime in the woods; they are structured learning experiences that build resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Children learn to manage risk, explore the natural world, and work collaboratively in an unstructured environment.

Educational visits are frequent and purposeful. From trips to local museums in Maidenhead and Windsor to residential trips in Year 6, these experiences are designed to bring the curriculum to life. The Year 6 residential is a rite of passage, focusing on team building and independence before the move to secondary school.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The "soft start" in the morning allows children to settle quickly and begin learning immediately.

Wraparound care is available and highly valued by working parents. The Breakfast Club opens at 7:45am, providing a nutritious start to the day. After-school care runs until 6:00pm, offering a safe and engaging environment with a range of activities and a light tea. Costs are reasonable, with sessions priced around £5-£13 depending on duration.

The school is located on Hibbert Road, adjacent to the Braywick Nature Reserve. Parking can be busy at drop-off and pick-up times, and the school encourages active travel where possible, with many families walking or cycling through the park.

Hyper-competitive entry. With nearly nine applicants for every place, securing admission is the primary hurdle. The catchment area is extremely small. Families moving to the area specifically for this school should proceed with caution and verify current distance data.

Small cohort intensity. One class per year group creates a close family atmosphere, but it also means a fixed social circle for seven years. While most children thrive in this security, those who clash with peers have fewer options for social shifting than in a multi-form entry school.

High academic pace. The school’s results are outstanding because the expectations are high. The curriculum moves at a brisk pace. While support is strong, families should be aware that the environment is focused and ambitious, which suits children who enjoy intellectual challenge.

Braywick Court School is a jewel in the state sector, offering an education that rivals many independent preps. The combination of rigorous academics, a stunning natural setting, and a supportive small-school culture makes it an exceptional choice. It is best suited to families who value high academic standards and want their children to grow up in a close-knit, nurturing community. The main challenge is simply getting a place.