Cradley CofE Primary School

About Cradley CofE Primary School

Cradley CofE Primary School’s headline metrics stand well above the Dudley local authority average for primary schools. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 59%, Cradley achieves 70% — a clear eleven-point lead. This places the school 15th out of 69 primary schools in Dudley, comfortably in the top quarter. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 awarded it an overall Outstanding rating, a significant step up from its previous Good rating in 2012. It is one of only three Outstanding primaries in the entire local authority, and the nearest other Outstanding school, Lapal Primary, is 4.5 km away. For parents in the area, this makes Cradley a standout option for strong academic foundations within a Church of England setting.

Digging into the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the school’s performance is consistently above average. In maths, 90% of pupils reached the expected standard and 37% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 107. Reading saw 73% at expected and 27% at the higher level, with an average score of 106. Writing was similarly strong, with 83% at expected and 23% at the higher level. The combined expected standard figure of 70% is well above the national average, and the school ranks in the top 50 nationally for this metric. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest effective teaching across the core subjects. The school’s ranking in the West Midlands region places it in the 30th percentile, and nationally it sits in the 31st percentile — solidly above average for a state primary.

The school is oversubscribed, with 100 applications for 30 places in the 2025/26 intake, and 42 of those were first-preference applications. This gives an oversubscription ratio of 3.33, so early application is advisable. Facilities include an ICT suite, library, sports hall, forest school, sensory room, playing fields and a chapel, reflecting the school’s Church of England character. Sports on offer include football, rounders, cricket, gymnastics, netball and cross country, while clubs range from eco club and drama to coding, gardening and film club. The school has specific SEND provisions for dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language difficulties, visual impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. With 18% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. This is a strong, well-regarded primary that suits families who value academic rigour within a faith-based, community-focused environment.

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