Co-op Academy Friarswood

About Co-op Academy Friarswood

Co-op Academy Friarswood was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a rating it has held consistently since at least its previous graded inspection in 2013. The school’s strongest academic story, however, is in its Key Stage 2 outcomes. In the 2023/24 academic year, 85% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — well above the local authority average of 65% for primary schools in Staffordshire. That performance places the school third out of 35 primary schools in Newcastle-under-Lyme, putting it in the top 10% locally. Nationally, it ranks in the top 6% of all primary schools, a strong showing for a relatively small school of 203 pupils. Individual subject scores are also solid: 93% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, 89% in writing and 89% in maths, with average scaled scores of 106 in reading and 107 in maths.

Digging deeper into the results, the proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined was 11%, which is respectable but not exceptional. Individually, 37% reached the higher standard in reading, 30% in maths and 19% in writing. The school does not publish progress scores for reading, writing or maths, so it is not possible to say how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points. Ofsted’s 2023 ungraded inspection confirmed the school remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2013 gave the same overall rating, and the early years provision was rated as satisfactory at that time. The school has no sixth form and is a primary-only setting.

The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 67 applications for 27 places, with 25 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.48. That suggests strong local demand. Facilities include music rooms, art studios, a sensory room, playing fields and a forest school, plus a chapel. Sports on offer include rounders, gymnastics, netball, tennis and dance, while clubs cover coding, gardening and science. The school provides nursery provision for children from age three. SEND support covers a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health difficulties, and visual or multi-sensory impairment. This is a school that suits families looking for a well-regarded local primary with strong academic outcomes, a broad enrichment offer and a clear commitment to inclusion.

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