Bowdon CofE Primary School

About Bowdon CofE Primary School

Bowdon CofE Primary School is a Church of England state primary in Trafford that is heavily oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local reputation. With 616 pupils on roll against a capacity of 630, the school is running very close to full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 3.6%, well below the national average, reflecting the affluent catchment area. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 181 applications for 89 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.03, and made 88 offers to first-preference families. This level of demand places it among the most sought-after primaries in Trafford, a borough where only 10 out of 63 primary schools hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

Academically, Bowdon is a high performer. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Trafford local authority average of 71%. The school ranks 5th out of 55 primaries in the borough and 420th nationally out of 13,686 schools, placing it in the top 4% of all primary schools in England. Average scaled scores in reading and maths both hit 110, and 28% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects. In maths specifically, 59% reached the higher standard, and 56% did so in reading. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2025 confirmed that standards remain outstanding across every category, including behaviour, personal development, early years provision and leadership.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, playing fields, a sensory room, an ICT suite and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, netball, football, cross country, gymnastics, cricket and rounders, while clubs include coding, art, science and chess. SEND support is extensive, covering specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 95% of respondents would recommend the school, and 98% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy. For families seeking a high-achieving, oversubscribed primary with a strong Church of England ethos and excellent SEND provision, Bowdon is a compelling choice, though securing a place will require a first-preference application.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowdon CofE Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents