Cheam Common Junior Academy

About Cheam Common Junior Academy

Cheam Common Junior Academy is a state primary in Sutton that is significantly oversubscribed, with 510 pupils on roll against a stated capacity of 330. That gap alone signals strong local demand for places at this 7-11 mixed school. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 8.4%, which is notably below the national average for primary schools and suggests a relatively affluent intake compared with the wider Sutton area. The school’s religious character is listed as ‘does not apply’, so there is no faith-based admissions criteria to navigate. With a headteacher, Sophie Gunner, leading a large junior school that has clearly outgrown its original capacity, parents should expect competition for places and may want to check the latest admissions criteria with the local authority.

Academically, Cheam Common Junior Academy performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 86% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Sutton local authority average of 69%. The school ranks third out of 33 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the top 10% locally and the top 5% nationally. Results at the higher standard are also strong: 33% of pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, with particularly impressive figures in maths (69% at higher standard) and reading (59% at higher standard). Average scaled scores of 112 in maths and 111 in reading are well above the national benchmark of 100. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated it Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding, a notable improvement from its previous Inadequate rating in 2014.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, sports hall, gymnasium, ICT suite and playing fields, plus a chapel on site. Sports provision covers netball, football, cross country and dance, while clubs include coding, science club and gardening. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. For families considering Cheam Common, the nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School, 1.1 km away. This school will particularly suit families who prioritise strong academic outcomes and a well-resourced environment, though the oversubscription means early application is essential.

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