Hillside Primary School
110%
Capacity
230
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About Hillside Primary School
Hillside Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 55 applications for just 30 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.83. Of those, 31 families put Hillside as their first preference, and all 30 places went to first-preference applicants. This level of demand is a strong signal that parents who know the school rate it highly. The school is led by headteacher Karen Schonau and is a state primary for mixed genders aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision available. It sits in the Stoke-on-Trent local authority, and its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it Good across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. That consistency is reassuring for parents looking for a stable, well-run school.
Academically, Hillside performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Stoke-on-Trent average of just 60%. The school ranks 10th out of 63 primary schools in the local authority, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Subject-level scores are strong: 97% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, with an average score of 109, and 88% did so in both reading and writing. At the higher standard, 47% achieved in maths and writing, and 34% in reading. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest effective teaching. The school’s Ofsted breakdown shows it has held a Good rating across both its 2023 inspection and its previous inspection in 2011, indicating sustained quality.
The school offers a solid range of facilities, including an art studio, forest school, ICT suite, sports hall, outdoor playground, playing fields and a chapel. Sports on offer include cross country, tennis, athletics, gymnastics and rounders, while clubs range from film and drama to eco club, choir, gardening and book club. Hillside also has dedicated SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 12.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. It is oversubscribed, so families should apply early and list it as a first preference. For those seeking a well-regarded local primary with strong academic outcomes and a broad extracurricular offer, Hillside is a strong contender.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Field Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 7AS |
| Headteacher | Karen Schonau |
| Local Authority | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Number of Pupils | 230 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.2% |
| School Capacity | 230 / 210 (110% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 18 Jun 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (78%)
1995th of 13,686
Nationally
195th of 1,378
In West Midlands
10th of 63
In Stoke-on-Trent
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
78%
Expected Standard
22%
Higher Standard
'22/23
75%
'23/24
78%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
55
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
31 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Breakfast club
07:45-08:30
Source: hillsideprimary.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British92.2%
- Mixed3.8%
- White (other)0.9%
- Asian0.8%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
6
Total schools
6
Oversubscribed
5
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hillside Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Field Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 7AS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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