Oakhill Primary School

About Oakhill Primary School

Oakhill Primary School’s headline key stage 2 measure sits almost exactly on the Stoke-on-Trent average, with 61% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths against a local authority average of 60%. That places it 33rd out of 71 primary schools in the area, squarely in the middle of the pack. But the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 tells a more interesting story. While the overall effectiveness is Good, inspectors rated personal development and behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding — a significant achievement for a school where 40.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. This suggests a school that is particularly strong on character and conduct, even if its raw academic scores are unremarkable. The previous inspection in 2019 had rated the school Requires Improvement overall, so the jump to Good represents a clear upward trajectory under headteacher Stephen Smith.

Academically, the picture is mixed. The 61% achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths is bang in line with the LA average, but the school’s ranking in the bottom 50 nationally on this metric shows there is room for improvement. Looking at individual subjects, maths is a relative strength: 79% of pupils reached the expected standard and 32% achieved a higher score, with an average scaled score of 106. Reading and writing lag a little behind, with 71% and 68% at expected standard respectively, and higher scores at 21% and 20%. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds. The proportion reaching the higher standard across all three subjects is just 13%, which is low. For parents focused on academic outcomes, Oakhill is a solidly average performer within Stoke-on-Trent, not a standout.

The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 71 applications for 47 places and all 47 first-preference families offered a spot — a ratio of 1.51 applicants per place. Facilities are generous for a primary: a library, ICT suite, gymnasium, sensory room, music rooms, playing fields, sports hall and even a chapel. Sports include cross country, cricket, athletics, dance, rounders and swimming, and clubs range from art and science to film and book club. The nursery provision means children can start at age three. SEND support covers moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication, visual impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. This is a school that suits families who value personal development and a broad range of activities over headline exam results, and who want a local, community-focused primary that has improved significantly since its previous inspection.

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