Ash Grove Academy

About Ash Grove Academy

Ash Grove Academy is a primary school that clearly commands strong local confidence. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 71 applications for just 30 places, making it significantly oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.37 applicants per place. Of those 71 applications, 37 were first-preference choices, and all 30 places went to first-preference families. This level of demand suggests a school that parents actively want, and the official parent view data reinforces that picture. While the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 awarded it Outstanding across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — it’s the practical experience of families that often matters most. With 27.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake, and its nursery provision means children can join from age two, giving families a long-term option from early years right through to Year 6.

Academically, Ash Grove delivers solid but not exceptional results at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 assessments, 60% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is slightly below the local authority average of 64%. The school’s ranking of 67th out of 113 primary schools in Cheshire East places it in the bottom half of the LA, though it’s worth noting that the LA is a strong area overall. Looking at individual subjects, reading scores are the strongest: 77% of pupils met the expected standard and 33% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Maths is a little weaker, with 70% at expected and 23% at higher standard, and an average score of 106. Writing shows 73% at expected and 13% at higher. The school’s Ofsted report, however, paints a more uniformly positive picture, with Outstanding grades across the board, so the KS2 results may reflect a cohort effect rather than a systemic issue.

The school is well equipped for a primary of its size, with facilities including a library, forest school area, playing fields, sports hall, and an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers rounders, gymnastics, netball, football and cricket, and there are clubs for science, eco activities, drama and a book club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 228 pupils against a capacity of 204, the school is operating slightly over its official number, which may be a practical consideration for families looking at class sizes. Ash Grove suits families who value a strong Ofsted rating and a school that feels well-regarded in the community, even if its headline exam results don’t place it among the very top performers in the LA.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Ash Grove Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents