Kestrel Mead Primary Academy

About Kestrel Mead Primary Academy

Kestrel Mead Primary Academy sits well above the local authority average for its key stage 2 results, a clear standout in a city where the typical primary school sees 62% of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. At Kestrel Mead, that figure is 70%, placing it comfortably in the top half of Leicester’s 82 primary schools. The school’s ranking of 21st in the local authority and 31st percentile nationally confirms it as a solidly above-average performer, though not among the very top tier. Its 4% of pupils achieving the higher standard across all three subjects is modest, but the individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: reading and maths average scaled scores of 107 and 105 respectively are both above the national benchmark of 100, and 44% of pupils hit the higher standard in reading. This suggests a school that reliably delivers strong core skills, particularly in literacy, without the very highest levels of exceptional attainment seen at the very top of the LA table.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in April 2024, confirmed it remains Good, a rating it has held since its last graded inspection in 2017 when it was upgraded from Requires Improvement. The inspection team rated leadership and management, early years provision and overall effectiveness all as Good, with early years specifically noted as improving from its previous Requires Improvement grade. This trajectory matters for parents: the school has demonstrably turned around its quality. With 792 pupils on a capacity of 866, it is large but not yet full, and admissions data for 2025/26 shows it is oversubscribed: 146 applications for 88 places, with 86 first-preference offers made. The oversubscription ratio of 1.66 indicates healthy demand, though not the fiercest competition in the city. The school serves a diverse intake, with 22.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, slightly above the national average, and offers a nursery provision for children from age three.

For families considering Kestrel Mead, the practical offer is broad and well-resourced. The school boasts a Forest School, sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, music rooms, library and a sensory room, plus a chapel on site. Sports include tennis, athletics, gymnastics, cross country and netball, while clubs range from science and coding to chess, choir and film club. SEND provision is comprehensive, with a dedicated SEN unit and support for specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, hearing impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. This is a school that suits families who want strong academic outcomes above the local average, a wide range of enrichment activities, and a setting that has shown clear improvement under headteacher Zoe Simpson. Its size means it can offer specialist facilities and a varied curriculum, while its oversubscribed status suggests it is a popular choice among Leicester parents who value consistent, solid results over headline-grabbing top scores.

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