Crackley Bank Primary School

About Crackley Bank Primary School

Crackley Bank Primary School is a state primary in Newcastle-under-Lyme that parents clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 33 applications for just 17 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.94. All 17 first-preference applicants were offered a place, meaning that while the school is popular, families who put it first have a strong chance of success. The school has a nursery provision for children aged three and above, which may help families secure a place early. With 187 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, there is some room to grow, but the oversubscription figures suggest it is already a well-regarded choice locally. The headteacher is Sara Stevenson, and the school has no religious character.

Academically, Crackley Bank performs around the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 50% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Staffordshire local authority average of 65%. This places the school 29th out of 35 primary schools in Newcastle-under-Lyme, in the bottom 50% nationally. However, individual subject scores are more encouraging: 73% reached the expected standard in reading, 69% in writing and 65% in maths. The average scaled scores were 103 for reading and 102 for maths, both slightly above the national benchmark of 100. A small proportion of pupils achieved the higher standard — 19% in reading, 8% in maths and 4% in writing. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023, the school was rated Good across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for a primary of its size, including a library, music rooms, a sensory room, a gymnasium, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, athletics, dance, netball, gymnastics, cricket and swimming, while clubs include coding, drama, gardening, film club, choir and chess. For children with additional needs, the school has specialist provision for moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 54.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. This is a school that suits families who value a Good-rated, inclusive local primary with a nursery and a strong set of extracurriculars, and who are comfortable with academic results that sit around the local average rather than at the top of the league table.

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