Co-op Academy Penny Oaks

About Co-op Academy Penny Oaks

Co-op Academy Penny Oaks is a state primary in Bradford that currently teaches 192 pupils against a capacity of 210, meaning it has some room to grow but is already a popular choice locally. The school serves a community with a notably high proportion of disadvantaged pupils — 42.6 per cent of children are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23 per cent. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 36 applications for just 20 places, with 19 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.8 to one suggests families in the area are actively seeking a place here, and the fact that all first-preference applicants were offered a spot indicates the school is a realistic option for those who prioritise it. Headteacher Michelle Khambhaita leads a mixed, non-religious school with nursery provision for children from age three.

Academically, the school’s most recent Key Stage 2 results place it in the middle of the pack nationally and regionally. In the 2023/24 assessments, 60 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — almost exactly in line with the Bradford local authority average of 59 per cent. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was just 4 per cent, which is low. Breaking it down, reading and maths average scores were 102 and 101 respectively, both a touch above the national benchmark of 100. In writing, 76 per cent met expectations, and maths was the same, while reading lagged slightly at 60 per cent. The school ranks 82nd out of 153 primaries in Bradford on the combined expected standard metric, placing it in the bottom half of the local authority. There are no progress scores available, so it’s hard to say how much value the school adds from starting points.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for a primary of this size, including an art studio, ICT suite, sensory room, sports hall and playing fields. Clubs include science, coding and art, while sports provision covers rounders, football, cross country, dance and tennis. The SEND register is broad, with support for moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing impairment and multi-sensory impairment — a useful resource for families whose children need additional help. The school is oversubscribed, so parents should apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. It suits families who want a solid, Good-rated local primary with strong SEND provision and a genuinely diverse intake, rather than a high-flying academic option. The nearest Outstanding-rated school, Lift Feversham, is just 0.2 kilometres away, so it’s worth comparing both if academic results are a priority.

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