SchoolScoresSmallwood CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE SMALLWOOD ACADEMY TRUST
School Lane, Sandbach, CW11 2UR
01477 500362 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 March 2019.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 July 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
68 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Sandbach comparisons use the 8 of its 9 state primary schools with comparable results. The other one has 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 | Sandbach | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 91% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 86% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 26% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 48 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 55% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 73% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sandbach. Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 82% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Sandbach figures pool parents at the Sandbach 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
23 pupils in this year group.
43% — 22 points below the Cheshire East average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 65% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 74% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 61% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 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 Cheshire East. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 22 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 19 |
| Of those, offered a place | 19 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 49 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 12% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 16.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 4.4%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.8% | 12.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 11.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Lower than 74% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 4.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Lower than 65% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 9.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Lower than 34% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Lower than 36% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.1% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 21% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 17.8 | 21.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 76% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.3 | 11.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 9 state primary schools in Sandbach. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 12.1%* | 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
- Rode Heath Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion)
- Scholar Green Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Pikemere School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 15% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Quinta Primary School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Alsager Highfields Community Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Black Firs Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Smallwood CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Smallwood CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 March 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Smallwood CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Smallwood CofE Primary School?
93% of the 68 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Smallwood CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Smallwood CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 19 families put Smallwood CofE Primary School as their first choice for 22 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 19 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 140894.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 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.