Sunny Bank Primary School

About Sunny Bank Primary School

Sunny Bank Primary School in Bury is a state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 5 to 11, and it is currently running at full capacity with 216 pupils against a school capacity of 210. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 7.9%, which is notably lower than the national average, suggesting a relatively affluent intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 84 applications for just 30 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.8 to one. Of those, 29 were first-preference applications, and 26 first-preference offers were made, indicating that while the school is popular, not every family who wants a place gets one. The headteacher is James Gabrielides, and the school has no religious character.

Academically, Sunny Bank is a high-performing primary school. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, it was rated Good across all five categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is consistent with its previous Good rating from 2015. At Key Stage 2, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the local authority average of 64%. The school ranks second out of 46 primary schools in Bury, placing it in the top 5% locally, and 446th nationally out of 13,686 schools. In reading, 56% of pupils achieved the higher standard, with a mean score of 110, while in maths the higher standard was reached by 31% and the average score was 108. Progress scores are not available, but the attainment figures are strong.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including music rooms, an ICT suite, a sensory room, art studios, a sports hall, and a forest school area. Sports provision includes cross country, gymnastics, dance, netball, athletics and tennis, and there are clubs for chess, art, choir and drama. SEND support is available for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and other difficulties or disabilities. Sunny Bank is not a boarding school and does not have a nursery or sixth form. Given its strong academic results, oversubscribed status, and relatively low FSM intake, this school is likely to suit families who place a high priority on attainment and who live within its catchment area, though securing a place may be competitive.

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