Stithians Community Primary School

About Stithians Community Primary School

Stithians Community Primary School sits in the bottom half of Cornwall’s primary schools when ranked by the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2. Its score of 48 on this metric places it 160th out of 208 schools in the local authority, well below the Cornwall average of 58. In its most recent graded inspection in 2013, the school was rated Good overall, and an ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed it remains Good. That consistency is worth noting, but the headline academic picture is one of a school that, on average, is not keeping pace with its county peers. The gap is most visible in maths, where only 56% of pupils met the expected standard compared with the local norm, and just 8% reached the higher standard. Reading fares better, with 76% at expected and 28% at the higher level, but writing and maths both lag behind.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the school’s average reading score of 107 is solid, but the maths average of 101 is more modest. Only 48% of pupils achieved the combined expected standard in reading, writing and maths, a figure that places the school in the bottom 50 nationally. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is difficult to say whether pupils typically arrive below age-related expectations or whether the school is adding less value than others. The Ofsted breakdown shows that leadership and management were judged Good in 2013, and the school has held that rating across both its inspections. For parents weighing academic outcomes, the data suggests that while reading is a relative strength, the school’s overall performance is below the Cornwall average, and families should consider how this aligns with their aspirations for secondary school readiness.

Stithians is a small village primary with 178 pupils, slightly over its official capacity of 175. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 33 applications for 21 places and 20 first-preference offers, giving a ratio of 1.57 applicants per place. The school offers a range of clubs including chess, drama, choir, book club, gardening and science club, and sports such as netball, gymnastics, rounders, football and dance. Facilities include a library, dining hall, sensory room, gymnasium and chapel. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. With 14.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a community with above-average deprivation for the area. This is a school that suits families who value a broad club offer and strong SEND support, but who are comfortable with academic results that sit below the local average.

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