Frimley CofE Junior School Review 2026: High-attaining Church of England junior with strong reading culture

This is a junior school that puts learning habits front and centre, then backs that up with results that are difficult to ignore. In 2024, 92.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. The higher standard figure is also striking, 37% compared with 8% nationally.

Frimley’s internal language is unusually clear for a junior setting: the “Frimley Learner” frames the behaviours pupils are expected to develop (from enthusiasm and ambition to resilience and self-awareness). The virtue of this approach is that pupils are not just pushed for outcomes, they are coached in how to learn, which helps children arriving in Year 3 from different infant schools settle into a consistent set of expectations.

Leadership is stable, with Clare Wright as headteacher, and governance sits within The Prospect Trust. For parents, that usually translates into clear lines of accountability and access to shared expertise across schools, without changing the junior school’s day-to-day identity.

A strong sense of community comes through in the school’s outward-facing work. Pupils are involved in local service and reading-related initiatives that extend beyond the school site, signalling a culture where contribution is part of the routine rather than a bolt-on.

The tone is purposeful, with a clear emphasis on pupils enjoying learning and taking pride in their work. That matters in a junior school, where pupils are old enough to take ownership but still benefit from structure. The evidence points to a school that takes that balance seriously: high aspirations, with pupils responding well to them, and an expectation that effort is visible in lessons.

As a Church of England school, worship and reflection are part of the rhythm of the week rather than confined to special events. The school’s published guidance describes daily collective worship with broadly Christian themes, while also acknowledging major festivals of other faiths. For families who value a values-led setting without an exclusivist feel, that framing will read as pragmatic and welcoming.

Pastoral cues are also distinctive. One small but telling detail is the school’s use of identifiable staff signals for support, which helps pupils quickly locate the right adult when worries arise. In practice, that can reduce low-level anxiety, especially for pupils who are new to the school in Year 3.

The headline Key Stage 2 picture is very strong. In 2024, 92.67% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with 62% across England. At the higher standard, 37% reached greater depth, compared with 8% in England. Science is also above average, with 91% meeting the expected standard compared with 82% in England.

Scaled scores reinforce the same story. Reading is 110 and maths is 108, both above typical England benchmarks (often presented as 100). These are the sort of figures that suggest not only a high proportion reaching the expected standard, but also a substantial cohort working securely beyond it.

On the FindMySchool ranking (based on official outcomes data), the school is ranked 939th in England for primary performance and 2nd locally in Camberley. That places it well above England average, within the top 10% of schools in England.

For parents comparing nearby options, it is worth using FindMySchool’s Local Hub comparison tools to place these figures alongside other junior and primary schools in the area, particularly if you are weighing a move at Year 3 versus staying within an all-through primary.

The curriculum is broad and, in core areas, carefully sequenced so that knowledge builds over time. This matters most in English and maths, where pupils benefit from cumulative understanding rather than disconnected “topics”. The result is that pupils can make links between what they learned last term and what they are learning now, which supports both retention and confidence.

Reading is treated as a strategic priority rather than a generic expectation. Staff are described as promoting thoughtful discussion about texts, and targeted support is in place for pupils who need extra help to catch up with reading fundamentals. The practical implication is that weaker readers are less likely to drift quietly; they are identified and supported so they can access the full junior curriculum.

History is a useful lens on classroom practice here. Teaching is framed as step-by-step knowledge building, with pupils tackling complex ideas by breaking them down into manageable elements, then assembling them into a coherent understanding. That type of instruction is particularly helpful for pupils with different starting points arriving in Year 3.

Inspectors noted that in a few subjects, curriculum sequencing is not yet as coherent, and some areas are not covered in enough depth to ensure pupils consistently develop detailed knowledge and skills across the whole curriculum.

Because this is a junior school (Years 3 to 6), the main transition point is Year 7. Most families will apply through Surrey’s coordinated secondary admissions system, with choices shaped by travel, sibling logistics, and the local mix of comprehensive and selective options.

A practical local factor is trust geography. The Prospect Trust includes Tomlinscote School, which gives some families an appealing “joined-up” option when thinking ahead to secondary. It does not mean priority admissions, but it can signal shared expectations around behaviour, safeguarding culture, and professional development.

For academically strong pupils, the junior years are where habits are formed that later support selective tests or demanding secondary curricula: sustained reading, secure number fluency, and the ability to explain thinking. The school’s results suggest a substantial proportion of pupils leave Year 6 with those foundations in place.

The key intake is Year 3. For 2026 entry, the school’s published information stated that applications opened on 03 November 2025 and closed on 15 January 2026, via Surrey’s coordinated admissions process.

Tours are used as a practical first step for families considering Year 3 entry, and for the September 2026 cohort the school listed tour dates in October and November 2025. If you are looking a year ahead, the safest assumption is that tours typically run in the autumn term, with the exact dates confirmed on the school’s website each year.

The Published Admission Number for Year 3 entry in 2026 was stated as 90. In-year applications for Years 3 to 6 are also covered within the school’s published admissions policy.

For Surrey applicants, offer outcomes for the 2026 cycle were scheduled to be issued on 16 April 2026 (the national offer day for primary, infant and junior admissions in Surrey).

The pastoral picture is built on consistency and clear adult support. Pupils are described as feeling safe, with straightforward routes to help when worries arise. That kind of clarity is especially valuable in a junior setting, where children are increasingly independent but still need visible reassurance.

Safeguarding is presented as a whole-school priority, with explicit roles named in published materials and clear expectations about reporting concerns. The school’s own documents emphasise vetting and training as routine safeguards, rather than reactive measures.

The latest Ofsted inspection (26 and 27 March 2024) confirmed the school continues to be Good, and stated that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Extracurricular life appears designed to give pupils both breadth and a few signature opportunities. The school day structure explicitly builds in time for after-school clubs from 15:25, with typical finish times around 16:15 to 16:30. That predictable routine is helpful for working families and for children who benefit from a structured end-of-day transition.

There are also specific pupil leadership roles that connect directly to modern life, notably digital leaders supporting safe and effective technology use. This is more than a badge; it signals that online safety is embedded into how pupils learn and help one another, not confined to one-off assemblies.

In terms of named activities, the school’s published clubs information includes opportunities such as Rocksteady band lessons (vocals, keyboard, drums, guitar, bass) and a Young Engineers after-school club, alongside sport options such as an after-school football club. The benefit for pupils is that enrichment can be practical and skill-based, not only competitive.

Play and physical development are not treated as secondary, either. Table tennis is highlighted as popular, and the site includes an outdoor gym, both of which support active breaktimes that suit a wide range of interests, not only traditional team sport.

The school day begins with pupils arriving from 08:30, with registration at 08:40 and the end of the school day at 15:25.

Wraparound provision is available, but it is worth understanding the detail. The school’s published handbook describes an early morning club running 07:50 to 08:30, and notes that breakfast is not provided. It also describes an after-school club operating 15:25 to 18:00.

Lunch is a routine cost to budget for unless your child is eligible for support. From September 2025, the published price for a school meal was £2.85.

For travel planning, families typically approach this as a local-school option, so walking and short car journeys are common. If you are relocating, map your likely route at drop-off and pick-up times, and be realistic about congestion around school gates.

• A junior-only intake at Year 3. Joining at age 7 can be a great reset after infant school, but it does mean a bigger transition than starting in Reception. Make sure your child is ready for the step up in independence and expectations.

• Faith life is part of the routine. Daily collective worship and a Christian framing are embedded. Families who prefer a fully secular school day should weigh whether this is the right fit.

• A small number of curriculum areas still need refinement. Core strengths are clear, but a few subjects are not yet sequenced as consistently as the strongest areas, which may matter to families who prioritise depth across every subject.

• Wraparound is available, but check the fine print. The morning club does not include breakfast, and clubs and wraparound arrangements can change year to year, so confirm what you would rely on before committing.

Frimley CofE Junior School suits families who want a values-led junior setting with very strong Key Stage 2 outcomes and a clear culture of effort and reading. It is especially well matched to pupils who enjoy structured learning and respond well to high expectations, including children who benefit from explicit “how to learn” routines as they arrive in Year 3. The main decision point is fit, namely comfort with a Church of England rhythm to school life and the practicalities of joining at junior stage rather than starting in Reception.