Kidsgrove Primary School

About Kidsgrove Primary School

Kidsgrove Primary School’s headline KS2 results sit slightly below the Staffordshire local authority average, with 58% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined against an LA average of 65%. That seven-point gap places the school in the bottom half of primary schools nationally, at the 62nd percentile, and 26th out of 35 schools in Newcastle-under-Lyme. But the raw scores tell a more nuanced story: reading and maths average scaled scores of 104 and 101 respectively are broadly in line with national norms, and 74% of pupils met the expected standard in reading alone. The school’s real standout is its Ofsted journey. In its most recent graded inspection in 2022, it jumped from an overall rating of Inadequate to Good, with Outstanding marks for early years provision, personal development, and leadership and management. That’s a dramatic turnaround that suggests recent changes are taking hold.

Academically, the picture is mixed but improving. While the combined expected standard figure lags the LA average, individual subject results are more encouraging: 68% of pupils reached the expected standard in writing and 63% in maths. Higher-attaining pupils are less well represented, with 16% achieving a higher standard in reading and none in writing or maths. The school’s Progress 8 data is not available, so it’s hard to say how much value it adds relative to starting points. However, the Ofsted report from May 2022 noted that behaviour and attitudes are Good, and the quality of education is also Good, which suggests a solid foundation. The school is small, with 155 pupils against a capacity of 236, and a third of pupils (33.8%) are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average. That context matters when interpreting the results.

For families considering Kidsgrove, the practical picture is reassuring. The school offers a nursery provision for children from age three, and its facilities include a sensory room, sports hall, music rooms, art studios, and playing fields. There’s a broad range of clubs from gardening to coding, and seven sports on offer. The SEND provision is comprehensive, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, autism, and physical disabilities. Admissions are oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 45 applications for 23 places, with 22 first-preference offers made. That ratio of nearly two applicants per place means it’s a popular choice locally. This school will suit families who value strong pastoral care and a school that has demonstrably turned itself around, rather than one chasing top-tier academic rankings. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is Knypersley First School, 3.8 km away.

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