Best Schools in Peterborough 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 77 schools and nurseries in Peterborough — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Peterborough has 77 schools educating over 40,000 pupils in this growing cathedral city. Peterborough has seen rapid population growth, driving investment in new school buildings and expansion of existing schools.
The King's School (The Cathedral School) and Arthur Mellows Village College are among the well-regarded secondaries. Jack Hunt School is one of the largest schools in the region. Peterborough's primary schools serve a diverse, multilingual community.
Peterborough at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Peterborough
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnack CofE (Controlled) Primary School | Peterborough | Good | 96% | — | — |
| Winyates Primary School, Spirit Federation | Peterborough | Outstanding | 94% | — | — |
| St John's Church School, Spirit Federation | Peterborough | Good | 93% | — | — |
| John Clare Primary School | Peterborough | Good | 90% | — | — |
| Norwood Primary School | Peterborough | Good | 77% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Peterborough
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The King's (The Cathedral) School | Peterborough | Outstanding | +0.73 | 85% | 24% |
| Ormiston Bushfield Academy | Peterborough | Good | +0.31 | 68% | 17% |
| Stanground Academy | Peterborough | Good | +0.31 | 64% | 19% |
| City of Peterborough Academy | Peterborough | Good | +0.25 | 62% | 12% |
| Nene Park Academy | Peterborough | Good | +0.14 | 67% | 36% |
Admissions in Peterborough — Key Dates
Peterborough City Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Apply through peterborough.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Peterborough?
The King's School (Cathedral School), Arthur Mellows Village College and Hampton Gardens School are well-regarded. Jack Hunt School is one of the largest and most diverse schools in the area.
Are there grammar schools in Peterborough?
The King's School Peterborough is a comprehensive cathedral school, not selective. Peterborough has no grammar schools. The nearest selective schools are in Lincolnshire.
How are Peterborough schools performing?
Peterborough schools face challenges from rapid population growth and high EAL (English as Additional Language) rates, but progress measures show strong value added. Several schools have been rated Outstanding.
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