Arbury Primary School

About Arbury Primary School

Arbury Primary School is clearly a popular choice among Cambridge families, with 91 applications for just 48 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.9. That means nearly two families applied for every spot, and all 35 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which is a strong signal of local satisfaction. The school’s parent-view data isn’t available in this snapshot, but the high demand alone suggests a good reputation. The school is led by headteacher Ben Tull and serves 381 pupils, operating within a capacity of 420. It’s a state primary for mixed genders aged 5 to 11, with no religious character and no nursery or sixth-form provision. The pupil body is notably diverse in terms of disadvantage: 42.3 per cent of children are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, which adds important context when interpreting the school’s academic results.

Academically, Arbury performs solidly for a school in its context. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is nine percentage points above the Cambridgeshire local authority average of 58 per cent. That places the school 13th out of 26 primary schools in Cambridge city and in the top 40 per cent nationally. Reading and maths scores were strong, with average scaled scores of 108 and 107 respectively, and 83 per cent of pupils hit the expected standard in each subject individually. Higher-standard attainment is more modest: just 5 per cent reached the higher benchmark across all three subjects, though 48 per cent did so in reading alone. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. Its previous inspection in 2011 had awarded Outstanding, so the current rating reflects a shift in the inspection framework rather than a decline in standards.

Facilities are a real strength here, including an ICT suite, library, music rooms, art studios, a sensory room and a Forest School area, plus a chapel on site. Sports provision covers rounders, athletics, gymnastics, football, cricket, swimming and tennis, and there are clubs for book club, choir, drama and art. The school’s SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. This makes it a genuinely inclusive setting. Oversubscription means you’ll need to apply early and likely live close to the school to secure a place. Arbury suits families who value a diverse, community-focused primary with strong core results, good facilities and a clear commitment to supporting children with additional needs. It’s not the highest-performing school in Cambridge, but it’s a reliable, well-regarded option that delivers above the local average.

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