Cunningham Hill Junior School

About Cunningham Hill Junior School

Cunningham Hill Junior School sits in the Hertfordshire local authority, a primary for children aged 7 to 11 in St Albans. It ranks 5th out of 40 schools of its type in the local area, placing it comfortably in the top tier. Among its closest peers at the top of the LA rankings are Little Gaddesden Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Harvey Road Primary School, and The Russell School. The school is also the nearest Outstanding-rated school to its own infant school counterpart, Cunningham Hill Infant School, which shares its site. With a capacity of exactly 240 pupils and that number currently enrolled, the school is full. Just under 14% of its pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure that gives some indication of the mix of backgrounds within its intake.

Academically, Cunningham Hill Junior School delivers results that sit well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Hertfordshire LA average of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was 33%. In reading, 98% met the expected level and 70% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 112. Maths saw 97% at the expected level and 68% at the higher standard, with an average score of 111. Writing was slightly lower but still strong, with 90% at expected and 37% at greater depth. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024 awarded it Outstanding across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This continues a pattern of Outstanding ratings that goes back to its previous inspection in 2011.

The school offers a broad set of facilities including an ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, playing fields, and a forest school area. Sports on offer include athletics, swimming, tennis, netball, cricket, rounders and cross country. Clubs are more limited but include art, chess and a book club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, social and emotional mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its full capacity and strong local reputation, this is a school that suits families who place a high priority on academic outcomes and want a junior school with a proven track record. It is a non-religious, mixed state school with no nursery provision, so it is strictly for children from Year 3 upwards.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Cunningham Hill Junior School

Helpful Guides for Parents