Coates Primary School

About Coates Primary School

Coates Primary School sits in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire, and its headline Key Stage 2 results offer a mixed picture when set against the local authority average. The school’s proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 62%, which is four percentage points above the LA average of 58% for primary schools. That’s a solid, above-average outcome for a state primary. However, the picture is less rosy at the higher end: only 8% of Coates pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, and the school ranks 93rd out of 210 primaries in the county. In Fenland specifically, it places 6th out of 28 schools, putting it in the top quarter locally. So while Coates is comfortably above the typical Cambridgeshire primary for basic attainment, it’s not a standout for high achievement.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 SATs data, the school’s strongest subject is maths, where 85% of pupils met the expected standard and the average scaled score was 105. Reading is close behind at 81% expected and an average score of 104. Writing is the weaker link, with only 62% reaching the expected level, which drags down the combined figure. The school’s Ofsted inspection in May 2022 rated it Good across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision all scored 2. That’s a consistent, solid report card. The previous inspection in 2011 also rated overall effectiveness as Good, so the school has maintained that standard over time. There’s no Progress 8 data available for primary schools, but the raw scores suggest pupils are broadly meeting expectations, particularly in maths.

Coates is a small school with 203 pupils against a capacity of 210, and it’s oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 28 applications for 17 places, with all 17 first-preference offers accepted. That’s a ratio of 1.65 applicants per place, so it’s a popular choice locally. The school offers a sensory room, music rooms, art studios, a library and a chapel, plus sports including rounders, gymnastics, dance and athletics. Clubs include book club, film club and chess. SEND provision is broad, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, hearing and multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and other difficulties. With 20.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, it serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment. This school suits families who want a well-regarded local primary with strong maths outcomes and a Good Ofsted, but who are realistic about its middling national ranking for higher attainment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Coates Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents