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Primary school · Ruardean

Woodside Primary School

Ages 5 to 11 · 122 pupils (67 boys, 55 girls)

Getting a Reception place in 2026

3 places left

Last year, Woodside Primary School did not fill its Reception places: 3 of 17 were still free after offer day, so distance did not decide who got in.

17places

14families put it first

28listed it at all

Year by year since 2019

2019Not full: everyone who applied got in
2020Not full: everyone who applied got in
20210.88 mi
20222.83 mi
20231.46 mi
2024Not full: everyone who applied got in
2025Not full: everyone who applied got in
2026Not full: everyone who applied got in

It moves a lot from year to year, so don't rely on one year alone.

Check how far you live
More about how places were given

17 Reception places for September 2026; 14 offered on national offer day.

14 families put it first; 28 listed it as any preference.

3 spare places after offers in 2026.

Distances change every year. Looked-after children, siblings, catchment and faith can come before distance. Check the admissions policy before you apply.

Places 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

  • It had spare places after offer day last year.
  • The distance that got a place has moved between 0.88 and 2.83 miles since 2019.
  • Pupils miss fewer lessons than at 9 in 10 Gloucestershire primaries.

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:

  1. Children in care, or who were in care
  2. Brothers and sisters of children already at the school (or its linked junior school, if it has one)
  3. 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.

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 01594542287 to arrange a visit. See every open day we know about.

SATs results.

−12

12 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 (29% here). About 63% would be expected.

Met the expected level, each year

202340%
202445%
202565%

Each year is a different group of pupils.

Where it ranks in Gloucestershire
SATs: met the expected levelReading, writing and maths, 2023 to 2025 · joint 163rd of 213 · Typical 61%51%
SATs compared with similar schoolsExtra children in every 100 meeting the level, against schools in England with similar pupils · 154th of 202 · Typical −3−12
SATs: met the expected level in 2025Reading, writing and maths, one year · joint 98th of 209 · Typical 64%65%
Reading, 2025joint 42nd of 209 · Typical 80%88%
Writing, 2025joint 91st of 209 · Typical 74%76%
Maths, 2025joint 161st of 209 · Typical 77%65%
Teachers still there a year laterjoint 1st of 200 · Typical 87%100%

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, 2023

A short Ofsted check (18 July 2023) found it is still Good.

In Ofsted's words, from its school inspection report, July 2023:
“Pupils and staff at Woodside Primary School have strong, respectful relationships. Staff know pupils well. Pupils talk to staff if they have a problem because they know they will get support. Pupils understand the school values that teach the importance of respect for other people. Staff have high expectations of pupils. […]”

Read the full report (PDF) · Ofsted, Open Government Licence.

Inspection history (6 reports)
  • 18 July 2023School inspection · report
  • 06 March 2018Full inspection: Good · report
  • 27 March 2014Full inspection: Good · report
  • 16 May 2012Full inspection: Satisfactory · report
  • 18 March 2009Full inspection: Good · report
  • 17 May 2005Full 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.

Read the reports 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

Average class size▲ Higher than typical (26)27
How full the school is112 pupils for 119 places, May 202594%
Can get free school mealsA sign of how many families have lower incomes▼ Lower than typical (16%)7.4%
Get extra help with special needsSEN support, without a formal plan▲ Higher than typical (18%)22%
Have an EHC planA legal plan for special needs▼ Lower than typical (4.3%)1.6%
Speak another language at home▼ Lower than typical (5.1%)0.0%

Attendance and behaviour

Lessons missedFor any reason▼ Lower than typical (4.7%)3.3%
Missing 1 day in 10 or moreCalled “persistently absent”▼ Lower than typical (11%)6%
Suspensions per 100 pupils▼ Lower than typical (1.6)0.0

Teachers and money

Pupils per teacherNot the same as class sizeAbout typical (19.7)19.0
Teachers still there a year later▲ Higher than typical (87%)100%
Spending per pupilSmall schools usually cost more per child▲ Higher than typical (£6,992)£7,582

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 Woodside Primary School?

Last year, Woodside Primary School did not fill its Reception places: 3 of 17 were still free after offer day, so distance did not decide who got in. Year by year since 2019: 2019: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2020: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2021: 0.88 miles; 2022: 2.83 miles; 2023: 1.46 miles; 2024: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2025: not full: everyone who applied got in; 2026: not full: everyone who applied got in. 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 Woodside Primary School?

For September 2026 Reception entry, 14 families put Woodside Primary School as their first choice and 28 listed it as one of their choices, for 17 places. (Gloucestershire County Council)

What are Woodside Primary School's SATs results?

Over the three years 2023 to 2025, 51% of Year 6 children at Woodside Primary School met the expected level in reading, writing and maths. (Department for Education, key stage 2 results)

What did Ofsted say about Woodside Primary School?

A short Ofsted check (18 July 2023) found it is still Good.

How do I apply for a place at Woodside 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.

Denehurst, Ruardean Woodside, Ruardean, GL17 9XP

Headteacher: Mrs Amy Mason

01594 542287 · School website

Official school record · Gloucestershire school admissions

Nearby primary schools

All primary schools in Forest of Dean ›

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