Getting a Reception place in 2026
0.73 miles
Last year, children living within 0.73 miles of Dunalley Primary School were offered a Reception place on distance.
60places, all filled
54families put it first
188listed it at all
Year by year since 2019
It moves a lot from year to year, so don't rely on one year alone.
The 2019 and 2020 tables do not say which rule the last place went on, so a full school is shown by its furthest distance.
More about how places were given
60 Reception places for September 2026; 60 offered on national offer day.
54 families put it first; 188 listed it as any preference.
The furthest distance offered a place on distance was 0.73 miles.
Distances change every year. Looked-after children, siblings, catchment and faith can come before distance. Check the admissions policy before you apply.
Last distance offered, September 2026 Reception entry, Gloucestershire County Council. Earlier years: allocation-day tables, Gloucestershire County Council. What this means
Closing date for Reception and junior applications: Midnight, 15 January 2027. Key dates
In short.
Worth knowing
- The distance that got a place has moved between 0.52 and 2.29 miles since 2019.
SATs: reading, writing and maths
66%
▲ Higher than typical (61%)
Reading, 2025
83%
About typical (80%)
Writing, 2025
72%
About typical (74%)
Maths, 2025
87%
▲ Higher than typical (77%)
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2023
Class size
30
▲ Higher than typical (26)
Lessons missed
4.1%
▼ Lower than typical (4.7%)
Children per teacher
24.4
▲ Higher than typical (19.7)
Typical is the middle school when all 243 Gloucestershire primaries are lined up, half above and half below. Tap a box for the detail.
How places are given.
The council runs admissions for this school. If more families apply than there are places, places go in this order:
- Children in care, or who were in care
- Brothers and sisters of children already at the school (or its linked junior school, if it has one)
- Everyone else, nearest first, measured in a straight line from home to school
Gloucestershire County Council admission arrangements, September 2027. Children whose EHC plan names the school are given a place first.
Gloucestershire admission rules for September 2027
Free school transport. If this is your nearest suitable school and the walking route is more than 2 miles (children under 8) or 3 miles (8 and over), the council usually provides free transport. Families on lower incomes can get help over shorter distances. School transport
Visit the school.
- Wednesday 11 November 2026: Open morning, 9:30am
From the school's website, checked 7 November 2026. Dates can change and some need booking, so check with the school first (01242512391).
SATs results.
Same
About the same as schools in England with similar pupils. Similar pupils means a similar share from lower-income families (18% here). About 65% would be expected.
Met the expected level, each year
Each year is a different group of pupils.
Where it ranks in Gloucestershire
Positions are among Gloucestershire state primary and junior schools with a published figure. 1st means the highest results. Typical is the school in the middle when they are lined up from highest to lowest. Jargon buster.
Key stage 2 results 2024/25 and 3-year average 2023 to 2025 (revised).
Ofsted.
Ofsted
Good
Full inspection, 2023
“Pupils are valued and differences are celebrated at Dunalley. Pupils are happy and safe at school. They say there are always adults they can talk to if they have any worries. Parents feel that ‘Dunalley is a special place’ because each pupil is cared for. Staff understand pupils well. […]”
Read the full report (PDF) · Ofsted, Open Government Licence.
Inspection history (7 reports)
- 17 January 2023School inspection: Good · report
- 20 June 2017Short inspection · report
- 11 October 2012Full inspection: Good · report
- 08 March 2011Monitoring visit · report
- 12 October 2009Full inspection: Satisfactory · report
- 20 September 2006Full inspection: Good · report
- 12 February 2001Full inspection · report
Grades from different years were given under different rules, so they are not directly comparable. Reports from before a school became an academy are listed under its old school on the Ofsted website.
What parents told Ofsted.
Not enough parents filled in Ofsted's Parent View survey for this school to publish results. Ofsted only publishes a school's results once 10 or more parents have answered (November 2025 to September 2026).
See this school on Ofsted Parent View, or add your own views if your child goes there.
Day to day.
Pupils
Attendance and behaviour
Teachers and money
Behaviour policies differ between schools, so compare suspensions with care. Pupils and staff: school census and workforce census, Department for Education.
Questions parents ask.
How close do you need to live to get a place at Dunalley Primary School?
Last year, children living within 0.73 miles of Dunalley Primary School were offered a Reception place on distance. Year by year since 2019: 2019: 0.80 miles; 2020: 2.29 miles; 2021: 0.66 miles; 2022: 0.52 miles; 2023: 0.72 miles; 2024: 0.64 miles; 2025: 0.73 miles; 2026: 0.73 miles. It moves a lot from year to year, so don't rely on one year alone. Distances change every year, and children in priority groups (such as looked-after children and brothers or sisters of current pupils) can get places before distance is used.
How many families applied to Dunalley Primary School?
For September 2026 Reception entry, 54 families put Dunalley Primary School as their first choice and 188 listed it as one of their choices, for 60 places. (Gloucestershire County Council)
What are Dunalley Primary School's SATs results?
Over the three years 2023 to 2025, 66% of Year 6 children at Dunalley Primary School met the expected level in reading, writing and maths. (Department for Education, key stage 2 results)
What did Ofsted say about Dunalley Primary School?
Rated Good by Ofsted at its last full inspection (17 January 2023).
How do I apply for a place at Dunalley Primary School?
You apply to your home council, not to the school. If you live in Gloucestershire, that is Gloucestershire County Council. For September 2027 entry, apply by midnight, 15 January 2027. Offers are sent on 16 April 2027.
Contact and nearby.
West Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 4LB
Headteacher: Mrs Alison Godfrey
Nearby primary schools
Spotted something wrong on this page? Tell us
This is a guide, not an admissions decision. Figures come from the Department for Education, Ofsted and Gloucestershire County Council and were last updated 7 November 2026. Always check the school's admissions policy and the council's admissions pages before applying. How admissions work