Redlands Primary School, Reading: State School With Strong Classroom Teaching and Growing Momentum

One mile south-east of Reading town centre, near the University of Reading campus, Redlands Primary School has occupied its Victorian buildings designed by architect S. Slingsby Stallwood since 1891. From a separate Infant Department and Boys and Girls Departments in the early 1890s, the school evolved into a single primary provision in 1945, serving mixed-gender pupils from nursery through Year 6. Today, around 210 pupils learn here, including three-year-olds in the nursery class. The school underwent significant recent improvement, with the July 2025 Ofsted inspection rating Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision all as Good. This marks substantial progress from the December 2022 rating. Academic performance stands notably strong: 91% of pupils met expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics in recent key stage assessments, well above the England average of 62%. The school ranks 1002nd in England for primary outcomes, placing it in the top 10% nationally (FindMySchool ranking).

Redlands exists as part of the East Reading Federation, reflecting a commitment to inclusion and community that shapes daily life. The school's vision, emphasised repeatedly by current headteacher Christian Lim since his appointment, centres on every child "continuing learning, growing, improving and achieving their very best." This orientation beyond mere grades infuses the atmosphere.

The catchment area reveals the school's diversity: Twenty-seven languages are spoken among the pupil body, and the level of pupil turnover is notably high because families arrive to work or study at the nearby hospital and university, often staying only temporarily. This transience does not diminish community: staff have intentionally cultivated belonging through careful transition practices. Home visits before children start nursery allow teachers and nursery staff to build a personal picture of each child's life experience, interests, medical and emotional needs, and family circumstances. Nursery children arrive happy and settled as a result.

Teaching quality emerges as a genuine strength. The July 2025 inspection confirmed that Quality of Education is Good, with particular emphasis on staff growing in confidence teaching early reading through structured, evidence-based training. Pupils behave responsibly and trust staff to help them tackle unkindness or bullying promptly and fairly, reflecting a strong pastoral culture. Teachers and classroom assistants work together effectively, planning work that matches pupils' individual needs and capabilities. The school provides support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, with staff that challenges outside agencies persistently to secure necessary provision.

Primary Achievement and Standards

In recent Key Stage 2 assessments, 91% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%. This 29%age-point gap highlights consistent strength across the core curriculum.

Analysing by subject, reading achieved a scaled score of 110 (England average: 100), indicating pupils read with confidence and comprehension beyond age expectations. Mathematics scored 107 (England average: 101), reflecting sound mastery of number sense, calculation, and reasoning. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling reached 110 (England average: 100), confirming pupils develop accurate transcription skills. Science saw 93% of pupils reach expected standards, above the England average of 82%.

At higher standard (greater depth), 26% of pupils in reading, writing and mathematics achieved this level, compared to the England average of 8%. This measure of genuine mastery distinguishes schools where extended thinking is fostered rather than surface-level compliance.

The school ranks 1002nd in England for primary KS2 performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally. Locally, the school ranks 12th among Reading primary schools, indicating strong competitive position within its immediate context.

Nursery and Reception

Early Years Provision was rated Good by the July 2025 inspection. The Reception class benefits from intentional curriculum planning, with children making good progress across all areas of learning. Specialist provision supports multilingual children, with staff speaking home languages and creating an environment where all children develop English competence rapidly. By the start of Year 1, most children reach the expected learning goals.

The curriculum is broad and sequenced carefully. Phonics instruction follows a structured synthetic phonics approach, with specialist staff teaching early reading skills. Teachers use this foundation across all subjects, reinforcing decoding and fluency.

Subject areas include Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Art, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Religious Education, PSHE, Physical Education, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, and Computing and Online Safety. The school has created topic-based learning that connects subjects meaningfully. For instance, history and geography lessons frequently use the school and local area to help pupils develop mapping skills and understand changes over time.

Classroom assistants provide intensive support, particularly for pupils with identified needs or those catching up in foundational skills. The school tracks pupil progress rigorously through assessment, identifying gaps and intervening swiftly. This results in above-average progress overall, especially for pupils who start below expected levels.

One area identified for continued improvement concerns subject knowledge gaps. The December 2022 inspection noted that the curriculum was "not fully established, with gaps in pupils' subject knowledge affecting new learning." The July 2025 follow-up suggests this work is ongoing, with leaders now focused on identifying component knowledge in each subject area starting in early years and building systematically through Year 6.

Most pupils transition to Highdown School, the nearest non-selective secondary school, or pursue grammar school routes through Reading School and Kendrick School (for girls). In recent years, approximately 15 pupils per cohort secure grammar school places. The school provides familiarisation with 11-plus style questions and formats but does not offer intensive test preparation; families seeking deeper grammar school coaching typically engage external tutors.

The school offers a dedicated Nursery Class for children from age 3. This early years provision is integral to school life, with nursery and Reception often working together on shared learning experiences and outdoor play. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, emphasising practical, play-based learning combined with targeted skill development in language and communication.

Specialist staff provide multilingual support, recognising that roughly half the nursery cohort may arrive with limited or no English. Children are described as "very well supported" and "very well cared for," with progress notably strong in language acquisition. Relationships between staff and families are warm and approachable; home visits before entry ensure smooth transition.

Nursery hours and fees are published on the school website. Government-funded early education entitlements (15 or 30 hours for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds) are available alongside additional paid sessions.

Extracurricular life centres on deliberate enrichment without overwhelming pupils. After-school clubs include named activities arranged around seasons and pupil interests. The school emphasises that clubs are well-attended and responsive to what children want to pursue.

Sports

Competitive sport features prominently. Swimming is taught in Years 4, 5, and 6, with pupils participating in local galas and achieving success. All children take part in regular games activities, enriched by coaches who run sports clubs. Fitness and healthy living are reinforced through a structured "Healthy Schools" programme.

Physical development has been explicitly strengthened since previous inspections, with climbing apparatus, wheeled toy vehicles, and large construction equipment providing diverse motor opportunities. The school makes determined effort to celebrate sports success and use it to raise children's self-esteem.

Music and Performing Arts

Instrumental music tuition is offered, with uptake indicating cultural development. The school maintains links with outside agencies, meaning visitors and specialist teachers bring first-hand knowledge to classroom and assembly contexts.

Visits and Experiences

Residential visits occur in Years 2, 4, and 6, providing pupils with socially enriching experiences alongside development of new skills. Frequent curriculum visits support learning across subjects, and many visitors including experts in their fields mean pupils encounter knowledge beyond textbooks. The school benefits from partnerships with local secondary schools that enrich preparation for transition.

Inclusion and Diversity

The school deliberately celebrates cultural diversity through curriculum, clubs, special activities, visits, visitors, and assemblies. A Urdu club enables Urdu-speaking pupils to display language skills while other children experience beginner-level language learning. Year 6 pupils have led anti-racist projects with younger cohorts, extending learning beyond the classroom into whole-school community work.

Pupil Voice

Children contribute positively to school development through structured channels. Recent examples include improvements to playground equipment and developments to curriculum and classroom organisation based on what pupils asked for. A "Redlands Matters" suggestion box enables individual children to raise issues confidentially if whole-class discussion feels unsafe.

Admissions to Reception follow Reading Borough Council's coordinated scheme. In recent years the school has received approximately 89 applications for 20 Reception places, indicating oversubscription at approximately 4.45 times. Allocation follows looked-after children, then siblings, then home to school distance.

The school runs open events for families interested in Reception entry. Tours for September 2026 intake were scheduled for November and December 2025; families should check the school website or contact the school directly for current dates and booking information.

Nursery entry is handled directly by the school. Familiarity visits and parent meetings support smooth transition into the Nursery Class.

School hours are typically 8:50am to 3:20pm. Breakfast Club operates from 8:00am to 8:45am, with Active Care Breakfast providing children with cereal, toast, and juice. After-school provision through Active Care runs from 3:15pm to 5:30pm (or later), offering multi-sports, creative activities, team games, and themed arts and crafts. Both breakfast and after-school clubs accept childcare vouchers, credit/debit card, and tax-free childcare payments. Sessions must be booked in advance through the Reading Services online booking portal.

School dinners are offered daily, with a published menu reflecting healthy choices and dietary requirements. Free school meals are available for eligible families.

The school has established a strong ethos of care and respect. Parents value the high level of care given to their children; one commented previously that they could "happily get on with my day in the knowledge that my children are being well cared for, valued and enjoying themselves."

Behaviour is managed consistently and fairly. When unkindness or bullying occurs, staff respond promptly and effectively. Pupils understand expectations and comply, with behaviour explicitly rated as Good in the July 2025 inspection.

Pupils receive good academic guidance to improve work and reach challenging targets. Tracking procedures monitor progress and identify those needing additional help. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities receive tailored support; the school challenges outside agencies persistently to secure necessary provision.

Mental health and wellbeing receive explicit attention, with staff trained to recognise signs of distress and respond supportively. The school's wellbeing work is signposted clearly on the website.

Curriculum knowledge gaps: The December 2022 Ofsted noted that gaps in pupils' subject knowledge made new learning difficult. Though July 2025 showed improvement, this remains an area of active focus. Families should enquire about how the school is systematically building component knowledge across all subjects, particularly for pupils who arrive with limited prior experience.

Transient community: The school serves families many of whom stay temporarily while working or studying at the nearby university and hospital. This diversity is a strength but can mean friendship groups change; pupils new to the school should be aware that some classmates may depart mid-year.

Writing development at Key Stage 1: Historically, pupils' writing standards in Year 2 have lagged behind reading and mathematics. The school acknowledges this and is working to provide more extended writing opportunities across different genres. If writing development is a particular concern for your child, ask how Year 1 and 2 teachers scaffold independent writing and variety in writing forms.

School change since late 2022: The December 2022 "Requires Improvement" rating reflected genuine concerns about curriculum breadth and leadership. The July 2025 inspection shows marked recovery, with Good ratings across measured areas. Families who were deterred by the earlier rating may find the recent trajectory encouraging, though parents considering the school should satisfy themselves that change has embedded.

Redlands Primary School is in a resurgent phase. Strong recent inspection outcomes, well-above-average primary results, and observable whole-school focus on improvement create a school that merits serious consideration from families in the East Reading area. Teaching quality is confirmed as good, pupils behave responsibly, and the diverse community is actively celebrated. The school is particularly suited to families who value inclusive, diverse environments where children are known as individuals and care is genuine. Best suited to families within reasonable access of the Redlands location who want a community school with transparent improvement momentum, intentional pastoral support, and above-average academic outcomes without academic selection. The main challenge is popular demand, with Reception oversubscribed; families should apply early and understand their precise distance from the school gates.