Manor Fields Primary School Review 2026: Top 10% in England for KS2 outcomes, with strong outdoor learning and wraparound care

Manor Fields’ Key Stage 2 outcomes place it well above the England picture. In 2024, 85.7% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 40.7% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England, a gap that is hard to achieve without strong curriculum sequencing and reliable teaching routines.

Scaled scores add detail to the headline: reading averaged 110, mathematics 109, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 111, each indicating performance meaningfully above typical national benchmarks. Science was also strong, with 90% meeting the expected standard.

FindMySchool’s rankings, based on official performance data, place Manor Fields 523rd in England for primary outcomes and 2nd in the Bishop’s Stortford area, which equates to outperforming 90% of schools in England (top 10%).

These results suggest a school where most pupils leave Year 6 highly secure in core skills, and where a substantial minority are working at a notably advanced level by the end of primary. For parents, that often means smoother transition into Year 7, particularly in subjects where gaps can widen quickly, such as reading comprehension and mathematics.

Reading is treated as a priority, with clear attention to matching books to pupils’ developing phonic knowledge so that early reading practice builds fluency rather than frustration. The inspection evidence also describes curriculum plans that provide specific direction for what pupils should learn, which typically supports consistency across classes and reduces variability between year groups.

Where Manor Fields is candid, and where parents should pay attention, is in the way it has been developing assessment in foundation subjects. The published evidence from the most recent full inspection highlights that curriculum content had been revised, and that assessment approaches were in development across some foundation areas, with further staff training needed to ensure teachers can check what knowledge is retained and use that to shape next steps. In practice, that does not mean foundation subjects are weak, but it does mean the school has been working to make assessment as systematic outside the core as it is within it.

Early years provision is described as a strong start, with careful assessment and activities designed to prepare children for Year 1. For parents of Nursery and Reception children, that usually looks like a blend of structured adult-led learning, play-based exploration, and language-rich routines that support listening, vocabulary, and early number sense.

As a state primary, Manor Fields is a launch point into a range of secondary options in Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding Hertfordshire area. Transition tends to be strongest where the primary school has a clear Year 6 structure, close communication with families, and established habits around reading, writing stamina, and mathematical fluency. The KS2 picture here suggests pupils are typically well prepared academically for Year 7 expectations.

Pastoral transition also matters. The school’s published evidence base points to pupils being helped to manage worries and resolve friendship issues promptly. In Year 6, those habits can be as important as grades because the move to secondary brings bigger peer groups, more teachers, and faster organisational demands.

For families choosing between secondary routes, it is worth mapping likely travel patterns early. If you are shortlisting multiple schools, tools such as FindMySchool’s comparison features can help you place outcomes and admissions context side by side, before you begin open events and application planning.

Manor Fields is oversubscribed for Reception, with recent admissions figures indicating 118 applications for 60 offers, close to two applications per place. For families living locally, this is a signal to plan early and use the official admissions timetable carefully.

Reception entry (September 2026)

applications are handled via Hertfordshire’s coordinated primary admissions process. The online system opens on 03 November 2025 and the on-time deadline is 15 January 2026. Hertfordshire also publishes a late explanation cut-off of 02 February 2026 for applications to be considered as on time in specific circumstances.

Manor Fields also signals that open mornings for Reception 2026 are typically communicated in November, which fits the countywide pattern of school open events running through November and December.

Nursery entry (September 2026)

Nursery admissions are managed directly, rather than through the county’s Reception process. Manor Fields publishes a Nursery timeline including a supporting evidence deadline of Monday 09 March 2026, and indicates places are offered directly to parents by email on Friday 24 April 2026, with acceptances required in writing by the same date. Parents should use the school’s published Nursery admissions materials and apply directly via the school’s process.

If your decision depends on proximity, measuring it accurately matters, even when a school does not publish a simple “catchment radius”. Families often find it helpful to use a map-based distance tool to understand how their home location compares with likely local demand, and then validate the detail against the local authority’s admissions criteria for the relevant year of entry.

Pastoral support is most credible when it shows up in everyday routines. The published evidence emphasises that pupils value behaving kindly and sensibly, and that staff use specific praise so children understand exactly what they have done well. It also describes staff facilitating discussions between pupils to resolve issues quickly, which is a practical marker of relationship-led behaviour management rather than relying on sanctions alone.

Wellbeing is also addressed through explicit teaching and habits. Daily mindfulness activity is described as part of the personal development approach, giving pupils practical strategies for calming and self-regulation. That tends to suit children who benefit from predictable routines and explicit emotional vocabulary.

Safeguarding is described as effective, with established recruitment checks and regular staff training that reinforces vigilance. For parents, the meaningful takeaway is that safeguarding is treated as a shared responsibility across staff, supported by systems rather than left to individual judgement.

Manor Fields provides unusually specific detail on its clubs programme, which gives families a clear sense of what “extra-curricular” means in practice. Activities run across mornings, lunchtimes and after school, with a mix of sport, creative clubs, and structured enrichment.

Examples include Debating Club, Orchestra, Creative Writing, Spanish Club (Kidslingo), and practical build-and-make options such as Kids with Bricks. On the sport side, provision listed includes tennis (Years 3 to 6), gymnastics, athletics (Years 1 to 6), football, cricket, rounders (Years 5 and 6), and dodgeball. There is also karate delivered by an external provider, and cheerleading through Stortford Cheerleaders.

Outdoor learning is a second pillar. All classes teach outside at least once a fortnight, supported by a Forest School area designed for whole-class use. The published description includes tree stump seating around a bonfire circle for 30 children, bird boxes and insect hotels for investigation, and a path around a wildlife area with mature trees and wildflowers. Den and shelter building with natural materials is explicitly built into the provision.

For families, the implication is clear: pupils who learn best through movement, hands-on exploration, and structured outdoor tasks should find regular opportunities here, rather than outdoor learning being limited to occasional themed days.

The school day is clearly set out by phase. Nursery doors open at 8:30am, with the day running to 3:15pm. Reception and Key Stages 1 and 2 operate on an 8:40am door opening, with registration expectations at 8:55am and the day ending at 3:20pm.

Wraparound care is provided through FunZone, which runs on the school site. Breakfast Club runs from 7:45am, and After School Club runs from 3:15pm until 6:15pm, with a light meal included. Holiday provision is also available, typically 8:00am to 6:00pm during school holidays.

For travel, this is a residential part of Bishop’s Stortford, so many families will be walking or using short car journeys. Where possible, it is sensible to check the practicalities of drop-off, pick-up, and after-school collection as part of an open event, especially if you intend to use wraparound care regularly.

• Admission pressure. Recent Reception demand sits at close to two applications per place. Families should treat this as a competitive local option and follow Hertfordshire’s timeline carefully.

• Foundation subject assessment is an improvement focus. The most recent full inspection identified that assessment approaches in some foundation subjects were still being embedded consistently, with further staff training needed so teachers can check knowledge retention and use that to shape next steps.

• Outdoor learning is frequent. Classes teach outside at least once a fortnight and there is a developed Forest School area. This suits many pupils, but children who strongly prefer quieter, indoor learning environments may need time to adjust to a more active learning rhythm.

• Wraparound adds convenience, but plan logistics. Breakfast club starts at 7:45am and after-school runs to 6:15pm. That is highly practical for working families, but it can lengthen a child’s day substantially if used daily, especially for younger pupils.

Manor Fields Primary School combines high attainment at the end of primary with practical family support, particularly early years entry and on-site wraparound care. Outdoor learning is a defining feature, supported by a Forest School area that is described in concrete, usable terms rather than as a marketing label. Best suited to families who want a strong academic baseline, a structured wellbeing approach, and regular learning beyond the classroom, and who are prepared to plan early due to competitive Reception demand.