SchoolScoresThe Bellbird Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Link Road, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3GB
01223 833216 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 July 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
140 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Cambridge comparisons use the 41 of its 78 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 37 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 | Cambridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 21st highest of 41 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 12th highest of 41 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 26th highest of 41 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 34% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 88% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 44 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 10th highest of 37 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 65% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 54% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 113 parents who had raised a concern 21st highest of 39 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 48% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 11th highest of 41 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 91% | 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. Cambridge figures pool parents at the Cambridge 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
60 pupils in this year group.
70% — 11 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 70% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 85% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 68% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 78% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 Cambridgeshire. 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 46 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 46 |
| Of those, offered a place | 46 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 71 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 45th highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 22.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 47th highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.7% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 59th highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.0% | 14.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 51st highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.1% | 18.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 92% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 22nd lowest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 75% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.7% | 11.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 21st lowest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 67% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2 | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 22nd lowest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 27th highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 52% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.8 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 48th highest of 78 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 37% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.0 | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 21st highest of 75 state primary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 79% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 22.3% | 15.9%* | 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
- The Icknield Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- William Westley CofE VC Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stapleford Community Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Babraham CofE (VC) Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Duxford CofE Community Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Great and Little Shelford CofE (Aided) Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Great Abington Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Bellbird Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Bellbird Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 July 2024.
How did The Bellbird Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 70% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 8 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Bellbird Primary School?
95% of the 140 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend The Bellbird Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Bellbird Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 46 families put The Bellbird Primary School as their first choice for 46 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 46 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 135132.
- 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.