SchoolScoresBowdon CofE Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Grange Road, Bowdon, Altrincham, WA14 3EX
0161 928 8907 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 4 March 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 2 April 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
167 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Altrincham comparisons use the 13 of its 17 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 4 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Altrincham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 7th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 4th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 50 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 67% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 123 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 52% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 84% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 30 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 79% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 74% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 5th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Altrincham. Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Altrincham figures pool parents at the Altrincham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
91 pupils in this year group.
80% — 8 points above the Trafford average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 80% | 72% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 34% | 15% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 84% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 79% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 90% | 82% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 108 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 111 | 108 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Trafford. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 90 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 103 |
| Of those, offered a place | 88 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 197 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Trafford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 2% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 18.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 53% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 12.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 16th highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 27.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 97% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 4.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 9.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 52% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Lower than 50% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 6th highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 76% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.3 | 11.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 17 state primary schools in Altrincham. Higher than 79% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.7% | 10.2%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Altrincham Preparatory School 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Bollin Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bowdon Preparatory School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Hale Preparatory School 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Stamford Park Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Altrincham CofE (Aided) Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Vincent's Catholic Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 89% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oldfield Brow Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Ambrose Prep School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Well Green Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 91% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bowdon CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Bowdon CofE Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 March 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 2 April 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Bowdon CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 18 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Bowdon CofE Primary School?
95% of the 167 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Bowdon CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bowdon CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 103 families put Bowdon CofE Primary School as their first choice for 90 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 88 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 106338.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.