Cusgarne Primary School

About Cusgarne Primary School

Cusgarne Primary School holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across its two most recent graded inspections. The most telling academic metric for this small Cornish primary is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stands at 60%. That figure sits just above the Cornwall local authority average of 58%, placing the school in the middle of the pack locally — ranked 102nd out of 208 primary schools in the county. Where the school really shines is reading: 93% of pupils hit the expected standard, and 47% achieved the higher standard, a notably strong result. In maths, 67% reached the expected level, with an average scaled score of 103, while writing saw 73% meet expectations. The higher-standard figures are more modest — 13% in maths and 20% in writing — but the reading outcomes suggest a particular strength in literacy.

Ofsted’s 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed that the school remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2014 had already awarded Good for overall effectiveness, leadership and early years provision, so there is a consistent track record. With only 69 pupils on roll against a capacity of 98, the school is comfortably undersubscribed in terms of space, yet it is actually oversubscribed for admissions: 28 applications were received for just 7 places in 2025/26, with 6 of those being first-preference offers. That suggests strong local demand despite the small size. The school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake, with 21.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, above the national average for primary schools.

Facilities include an ICT suite, library, gymnasium, chapel and a Forest School programme, which ties into the outdoor clubs on offer — gardening, art club and book club. Sports provision is broad for a small school, covering netball, football, cricket, dance, rounders, tennis and swimming. The school’s SEND register covers moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and multi-sensory impairment, indicating a commitment to inclusive support. Cusgarne is a state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form. It suits families who value a small, community-focused setting with strong reading outcomes and a forest school ethos, but who are prepared for a competitive admissions process despite the school’s modest size.

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