Curridge Primary School

Curridge Primary School represents the quintessential English village school, serving a small community near Thatcham with 94 pupils in the refreshed context. The current academic profile is more modest than the old review suggested: the school ranks 10,370th in England for primary academic outcomes and 7th among ranked primary schools in Thatcham overall. Families should therefore read it as a small village school with some subject strengths, not as a current top-5% national performer.

The atmosphere is one of focused intimacy. With only 15 places available in Reception each year, the school functions as a close-knit family where every staff member knows every child. Mrs Jackie Livermore, who was appointed as Headteacher in June 2017, leads a team that balances the traditional charms of a rural school with a rigorous, high-performing curriculum that consistently outpaces national benchmarks.

The school is the heart of Curridge village. The physical environment is a blend of historic charm and modern utility, featuring traditional brickwork and well-maintained outdoor play areas. Because the cohort is so small, the social fabric of the school is tight. Older pupils often take on leadership roles, looking after younger peers during break times and school events.

This is not a school that feels like a pressurized exam factory, despite its high rankings. Instead, the culture is built on a sense of individual recognition. Mrs Livermore, a trained Forest School Leader, often emphasizes the importance of the outdoor environment in her leadership. The latest Ofsted inspection in July 2023, which rated the school Good, described a calm and purposeful environment where pupils are eager to learn and staff know every child as an individual.

Academic performance at Curridge Primary is now a more mixed signal for local families. In the 2025 dataset, 60% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. The stronger story lies in some subject-level scaled scores rather than in the combined headline measure.

In the refreshed dataset, 0% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics. This means the current combined top-end measure no longer supports the old claim that nearly half the cohort was working beyond the expected level.

Curridge Primary School ranks 10,370th in England for primary academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 7th among ranked primary schools in Thatcham overall. The reading scaled score of 107 and mathematics score of 106 remain positive subject signals, but the current ranking no longer places the school in the elite national tier.

The curriculum is designed to make the most of the school's small size. Mixed-age classes are managed with precision, ensuring that every child is challenged according to their individual ability rather than just their year group. Teachers have expert subject knowledge, particularly in literacy and numeracy, though the refreshed writing greater-depth figure is 10% rather than the much higher figure in the old review.

Science and the arts are integrated into a broad curriculum that utilizes the local Berkshire countryside for outdoor learning. Mrs Livermore's Forest School expertise ensures that students spend significant time outside, developing resilience and curiosity through hands-on environmental study.

Most pupils transition to secondary schools within West Berkshire. The most common destination is The Downs School in Compton, which is highly regarded and serves as the local catchment secondary for the area. In previous years, nearly 70% of the cohort has progressed to The Downs, while others move on to Trinity School or St Bartholomew’s in Newbury.

The transition process is robust. Because Curridge is so small, staff work closely with receiving secondary schools to ensure that the jump from a 100-pupil primary to a large secondary is not overwhelming. This involves multiple transition days and shared curriculum projects in the summer term of Year 6.

Securing a place at Curridge Primary should be checked against current West Berkshire admissions information. The refreshed fact pack does not provide current application, offer or first-preference figures that can be used automatically, so families should confirm the latest criteria, catchment rules and timetable before relying on older demand data.

Admissions are coordinated by West Berkshire Council. After children with EHCPs and looked-after children, priority is given to siblings and then to those living within the designated catchment area. Because the intake is so small, even those within the village must ensure their applications are submitted on time. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the gates compared to the furthest distance at which a place was offered.

Pastoral care is a natural strength of a school this size. The Headteacher and staff are visible at the gates every morning, allowing for immediate communication with parents. Safeguarding is prioritized, and the latest inspection confirmed that children feel safe to voice concerns and that staff are well-trained to support them.

For pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the small class sizes allow for a high degree of personalization. The school focuses on early identification and works effectively with class teachers to implement tailored support plans that help children blossom within a mainstream setting.

Extracurricular life at Curridge is varied, often relying on the passions of the staff. The school offers a range of clubs that typically include gardening, choir, and various sports. The Forest School programme is a pillar of the school's identity, providing students with unique opportunities to build confidence and teamwork outdoors.

Specific clubs like the Netball Team and the Coding Club are popular, and the school participates in local West Berkshire sporting fixtures, often competing successfully against much larger schools. Annual traditions, such as the village summer fete, are central to the community's social calendar.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state-funded community school with no tuition fees. Parents are not required to pay for the standard educational provision.

Incidental costs such as school uniforms, optional trips, and music lessons may apply. Financial support for school trips and other activities is often available for families eligible for Pupil Premium, ensuring that all students can participate in the full range of school experiences.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Curridge Primary offers wraparound care via its own Breakfast Club and After School provision.

The Breakfast Club runs from 7:45am until the start of the school day. After-school care is typically available until 6:00pm. As provision can change based on demand, parents are advised to contact the school office directly for the latest session times and availability.

• Extremely small cohort: With only 15 children per year group, the social circle is limited. While this creates a family feel, it may not suit children who thrive in larger, more diverse peer groups.
• Highly oversubscribed: With a 1.53 subscription ratio, the school is regularly full. Families moving into the area mid-term may find it difficult to secure a place outside of the normal Reception intake.
• Rural infrastructure: Access to the school is via narrow village lanes. Parents must be mindful of local traffic and the limited parking facilities during the busy school run.

Curridge Primary School is a high-achieving sanctuary that offers an academic standard usually reserved for elite urban primaries within a tranquil village setting. It is best suited to local families who value a small-scale, supportive atmosphere where their child will be known individually but challenged to hit national-leading targets. For those who secure one of the 15 annual places, the educational experience is exceptional.