Getting a Reception place in 2026
1.10 miles
Last year, children living within 1.10 miles of Heron Primary School were offered a Reception place on distance.
60places, all filled
50families put it first
159listed 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.
50 families put it first; 159 listed it as any preference.
The furthest distance offered a place on distance was 1.10 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 0.60 and 1.70 miles since 2019.
SATs: reading, writing and maths
59%
About typical (61%)
Reading, 2025
76%
▼ Lower than typical (80%)
Writing, 2025
78%
▲ Higher than typical (74%)
Maths, 2025
66%
▼ Lower than typical (77%)
Ofsted
Good
Short check, 2019
Class size
28
▲ Higher than typical (26)
Lessons missed
5.1%
About typical (4.7%)
Children per teacher
23.5
▲ 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.
This school sets its own admission rules. If more families apply than there are places, it uses the order in its policy, which can include brothers and sisters, children of staff, faith or a catchment area.
Read the school's admission rules for September 2027 (PDF)
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.
We haven't found published open day dates for this school. Most primary schools are happy to show families round between November and January: check the school's website or call 01452415105 to arrange a visit. See every open day we know about.
SATs results.
−8
8 fewer children in every 100 meet the expected level than at schools in England with similar pupils. Similar pupils means a similar share from lower-income families (12% here). About 67% 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
Short check, 2019
A short Ofsted check (23 October 2019) found it is still Good.
“Heron Primary School is an inclusive, welcoming school. All staff in the school are ambitious for pupils to be successful learners. The Heron ‘drivers’ help the school focus its efforts on this aim. Pupils appreciate that staff care about them. They are happy and feel safe. They trust adults to look after them. […]”
Read the full report (PDF) · Ofsted, Open Government Licence.
Inspection history (8 reports)
- 11 February 2025School inspection · report
- 22 October 2019School inspection · report
- 01 October 2015Short inspection · report
- 17 May 2012Full inspection: Good · report
- 07 January 2011Interim assessment · report
- 06 October 2010Curriculum and development visit · report
- 14 November 2007Full inspection: Good · report
- 31 March 2003Full 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 Heron Primary School?
Last year, children living within 1.10 miles of Heron Primary School were offered a Reception place on distance. Year by year since 2019: 2019: 0.72 miles; 2020: 0.88 miles; 2021: 0.60 miles; 2022: 0.76 miles; 2023: 1.70 miles; 2024: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2025: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2026: 1.10 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 Heron Primary School?
For September 2026 Reception entry, 50 families put Heron Primary School as their first choice and 159 listed it as one of their choices, for 60 places. (Gloucestershire County Council)
What are Heron Primary School's SATs results?
Over the three years 2023 to 2025, 59% of Year 6 children at Heron Primary School met the expected level in reading, writing and maths. (Department for Education, key stage 2 results)
What did Ofsted say about Heron Primary School?
A short Ofsted check (23 October 2019) found it is still Good.
How do I apply for a place at Heron 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.
Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester, GL4 4BN
Headteacher: Mrs Claire Brookes
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