The Grove Primary School
About The Grove Primary School
The Grove Primary School in Cambridge is a state primary for children aged 4 to 11, and its intake tells a distinct story. With 249 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, the school is operating well below its physical size, which may reflect local demographic shifts or parental preference patterns. However, demand is strong: for 30 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 69 total applications, making it officially oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.3 applicants per place. Of those, 28 were first-preference applications, and 25 first-preference offers were made. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 47.9 per cent, which is notably high compared with the national average for primary schools, and suggests a community with significant socio-economic diversity. The school is led by headteacher Elspeth Rowe and has no religious character. It also offers nursery provision, which can be a practical draw for local families looking for continuity from early years through to Year 6.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Nov 2023Source: Ofsted, 21 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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