Ofsted four-point inspection gradesInspected 7 Oct 2014
Source: Get Information about Schools, URN 110182.
Year 6 results in national curriculum tests and teacher assessments. The expected standard is the level pupils should reach by the end of primary school.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 57% | 63% |
| Higher standard in reading, writing and mathsScore of 110 or more in reading and maths, greater depth in writing. | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Expected standard in reading | 0% | 74% | 76% |
| Expected standard in writing | 0% | 67% | 73% |
| Expected standard in maths | 0% | 70% | 75% |
| Pupils taking tests | 11 | - | - |
Source: DfE, Compare school performance, Compare school performance 2024-2025.
Pupils at the January school census.
| Measure | This school |
|---|---|
| Total pupils | 228 |
| Girls | 65 |
| Boys | 163 |
| Eligible for free school mealsPupils from low-income families who can get free school meals. | 38.2% |
| First language not English | 8.8% |
| SEN supportPupils with special educational needs who get extra help at school. | 0 |
| EHC planEducation, health and care plan: a legal plan for pupils with more complex needs. | 228 |
Source: DfE, Schools, pupils and their characteristics and School capacity, Academic year 2025/26, published 04 Jun 2026.
Share of pupils in each ethnic group, as recorded at the January school census.
Source: DfE, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, Academic year 2025/26, published 04 Jun 2026.
Staff numbers are full-time equivalent (FTE). Teacher turnover shows where the school's teachers were by the following year's census.
| Measure | This school |
|---|---|
| Pupils per teacher | 5.8 |
| Pupils per adultAdults include teaching assistants. | 1.8 |
| Teachers (FTE) | 39.6 |
| Teaching assistants (FTE) | 87.95 |
| Support staff (FTE) | 103.66 |
| Teachers in census year (FTE)2024/25 | 36.5 |
| Teachers who stayed (FTE)2024/25 | 30.5 |
| Teachers who moved to another state school (FTE)2024/25 | 2 |
| Teachers who left state schools (FTE)2024/25 | 4 |
Source: DfE, School workforce in England, Reporting year 2025, published 04 Jun 2026.
Share of possible sessions missed.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall absence | 13% | 11.5% | 12.9% |
| Persistent absencePupils missing 10% or more of sessions. | 38.6% | 34.2% | 34.7% |
| Severe absencePupils missing 50% or more of sessions. | 5.7% | 5% | 6.9% |
Source: DfE, Pupil absence in schools in England, Autumn and spring term 2025/26, published 15 Oct 2026.
Suspension rate is the number of suspensions per 100 pupils, so one pupil can be counted more than once. A permanently excluded pupil is removed from the school roll.
| Measure | This school |
|---|---|
| Suspension rate | 6.5% |
| Pupils with one or more suspensions | 4% |
| Permanent exclusion rate | 0% |
| Permanent exclusions | 0 |
Source: DfE, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, Academic year 2024/25, published 09 Jul 2026.
Where pupils went after year 11, sustained for at least two terms.
| Measure | This school |
|---|---|
| Sustained destinationIn education, an apprenticeship or work for at least two terms. | 100% |
| Staying in educationSixth form, college or further education. | 100% |
| School sixth form | 0% |
| Sixth form college | 0% |
| Further education | 0% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% |
| Employment | 0% |
| Not sustainedDid not stay in education, an apprenticeship or work for two terms. | 0% |
Source: DfE, Key stage 4 destination measures, Academic year 2024/25, published 15 Oct 2026.
Ratings include official Ofsted judgements and Area360 summaries of inspection grades. Open a school’s profile for its inspection grades and results.
| Distance | Phase | Name | Type | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 mi | Primary | Shaw-cum-Donnington C.E. Primary School | Voluntary controlled school | Good Area360 rating. Inspected 1 Jul 2025. | |
| 0.5 mi | Secondary | Trinity School | Academy converter | Good Ofsted rating. Inspected 30 Jan 2014. | |
| 0.5 mi | Primary | The Winchcombe School | Community school | Requires improvement Area360 rating. Inspected 10 Feb 2026. | |
| 0.6 mi | Primary | Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery | Community school | Good Ofsted rating. Inspected 18 May 2016. | |
| 0.6 mi | Primary | Speenhamland School | Academy converter | Good Ofsted rating. Inspected 19 Apr 2023. | |
| 0.8 mi | Nursery | Victoria Park Nursery School | Local authority nursery school | Good Area360 rating. Inspected 28 Apr 2026. | |
| 0.9 mi | Primary | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School | Voluntary aided school | Good Ofsted rating. Inspected 19 Sept 2012. | |
| 1.3 mi | Primary | St Nicolas C.E. Junior School | Voluntary aided school | Good Area360 rating. Inspected 8 Oct 2024. | |
| 1.6 mi | Primary | Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery | Academy sponsor led | Good Ofsted rating. Inspected 11 May 2022. | |
| 1.7 mi | Secondary | St Bartholomew's School | Academy converter | Good Area360 rating. Inspected 20 Jan 2026. |
The Castle School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, last inspected on 7 Oct 2014.
The Castle School has 228 pupils aged 3 to 19.
At The Castle School, there were 5.8 pupils per teacher in 2025/26.
In 2025/26, pupils at The Castle School missed 13% of sessions (England 12.9%), and 38.6% were persistently absent, missing 10% or more of sessions (England 34.7%).
Figures are the latest published by the Department for Education for each measure. Small numbers are suppressed by the publisher to protect pupils' privacy. Read how Area360 school ratings and rankings work.