The Galfrid School

About The Galfrid School

The Galfrid School is a state primary in Cambridge, part of the Cambridgeshire local authority, and sits 16th out of 26 primary schools in the Cambridge district according to its ranking based on Key Stage 2 expected standards. That places it in the middle of the local pack, behind the top-performing peers in the area such as Histon and Impington Brook Primary School, Caldecote Primary School, and Abbots Ripton CofE Primary School, all of which score higher on the same metric. Across the wider Cambridgeshire authority, where only five primaries hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, Galfrid ranks 80th out of 210 schools of its type. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is the University of Cambridge Primary School, about 4.8 kilometres away. Galfrid itself was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2023, a significant improvement from its previous inspection in December 2017, when it was judged Inadequate overall. Under headteacher Claire Macfie, the school now receives Good marks across all five inspected categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision.

Academically, the school’s Key Stage 2 results for the 2023/24 year show that 64% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined. That is above the Cambridgeshire local authority average of 58%, placing Galfrid ahead of the typical primary in the area. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects is just 11%, which is modest. Looking at individual subjects, 78% of pupils reached the expected level in reading, 70% in writing, and 76% in maths. Average scaled scores were 104 in reading and 105 in maths, both close to the national benchmark of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. The school’s national ranking for the combined expected standard places it in the 47th percentile, meaning it sits just below the midpoint of all primary schools in England. For families focused on solid, above-average attainment within Cambridgeshire, these results offer reassurance.

The school has capacity for 451 pupils but currently enrols 248, so there is room to grow. It was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 36 applications for 29 places, with 26 first-preference offers made. The oversubscription ratio of 1.24 indicates moderate competition. Facilities include a library, sensory room, dining hall, playing fields, sports hall, and a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, netball, swimming, cricket, dance, football, and athletics, while clubs cover drama, choir, art, and book club. The school provides for a range of special educational needs, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 47.2%, Galfrid serves a diverse and economically varied community. This is a school that has turned around its Ofsted rating and now offers a stable, Good-rated environment with above-average outcomes, suitable for families who value a broad range of activities and strong SEND support within a Cambridge setting.

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