Kings Hedges Primary School Review 2026: Strong KS2 outcomes, structured routines, and a big emphasis on belonging

A primary that runs on clear routines and shared responsibility, with pupils expected to take learning seriously and support one another. The most recent inspection describes a community where pupils work hard, show determination, and contribute through roles such as peer mediators, school councillors, and house leaders.

Academically, the headline is Key Stage 2 attainment. In 2024, 83.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 29.33% achieved greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, well above the England average of 8%. The school’s performance sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (25th percentile or better) on FindMySchool’s primary outcomes ranking based on official data.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should, however, plan for the usual extras such as uniform, trips, and paid wraparound care if needed.

Belonging is a recurring theme. Pupils are described as valuing being part of the school community, with high aspirations for themselves and their peers, and a willingness to keep going when work is challenging.

A notable feature is how leadership is distributed across pupils. Roles including peer mediators, school councillors and house leaders are framed as normal parts of school life, not optional add-ons. That matters in practice because it builds social confidence and gives pupils real opportunities to influence routines and playtime culture. The same report also notes that pupils suggest improvements and work with staff to implement them, including creating and running clubs at lunchtime.

The school’s public-facing vision statement centres on “Excellence achieved through care, creativity and challenge”. Parents should read this less as marketing and more as a clue to the school’s expectations, pupils are expected to work hard and take pride in meeting standards, with recognition systems (for example, house tokens) reinforcing those habits.

Leadership continuity is also clear. The current headteacher is Sarah Merritt (listed as Miss S Merritt on the school website), and she is named as headteacher in the most recent inspection report.

This review focuses on the latest published Key Stage 2 outcomes in this profile (2024).

Combined expected standard (reading, writing, mathematics)

83.67% met the expected standard, compared with an England average of 62%.

Higher standard across reading, writing and mathematics

29.33% reached the higher standard, compared with an England average of 8%.

Scaled scores

Reading 107, mathematics 107, grammar, punctuation and spelling 108.

Subject-specific expected standards

Reading 85%, mathematics 83%, grammar, punctuation and spelling 82%, science 91%.

Those are consistently strong indicators. The implication for families is that pupils are not only meeting the basics but a sizeable minority are moving into greater depth, which usually correlates with more secure writing stamina, stronger mathematical reasoning, and better preparedness for secondary-school pace.

Rankings context (FindMySchool)

Ranked 2,754th in England and 31st in Cambridge for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places the school above England average, within the top 25% of schools in England.

Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to view these figures alongside nearby primaries.

Teaching is described as structured and consistent, with staff following an agreed approach and routinely checking what pupils know and understand. The practical benefit is fewer gaps between classes, and fewer surprises for pupils as they move up year groups.

Reading is positioned as a core strand. Staff training and delivery of the reading programme are highlighted as consistent and effective, with pupils supported promptly if they find reading difficult. For families, this is reassuring if your child needs explicit teaching and regular practice rather than relying on independent reading alone.

Beyond classroom lessons, the school describes an outdoor learning curriculum designed to use the outdoor environment across curriculum areas. It explicitly frames outdoor learning as a route to building independence, safety awareness, and application of knowledge in practical contexts.

SEND support is also a clear part of the teaching picture. The inspection notes that needs are identified swiftly, staff are supported to understand how best to help pupils, and external specialists are used where appropriate.

As a primary school (ages 4 to 11), the main transition is into Year 7. Secondary allocation depends on the local authority’s admissions process and, for most families, where you live at the point of application.

Cambridgeshire publishes guidance on researching catchment schools and allocations, and families can use the council’s tools to confirm their likely secondary options based on their home address.

The school’s strong KS2 outcomes suggest pupils typically move on with secure foundations in reading and mathematics, and with experience of routines that expect sustained effort and good learning habits.

Admissions are coordinated by the local authority rather than handled solely by the school. The school signposts families to the local authority admissions route and notes it is a two-form entry primary.

Demand is meaningful. The most recent Reception admissions data in this profile shows 77 applications for 56 offers, which is 1.38 applications per place. That is consistent with an oversubscribed school. In practice, it means families should treat admission as competitive and should not rely on last-minute decisions.

For September 2026 Reception entry (Cambridgeshire primary admissions):

• Applications opened from 11 September 2025

• National closing date was 15 January 2026

• National offer day is 16 April 2026

Cambridgeshire also explains how late applications are processed and when families are notified.

The school promoted a Reception 2026 prospective parent tour on Friday 9 January at 10am. As this date has now passed (today is 27 January 2026), families should check the school’s latest communications for the next tour cycle, as open events often repeat around the same time each year.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check practical travel distance and likely routes, especially where multiple schools are in realistic range.

Pastoral systems appear to be closely tied to behaviour, routines, and pupil responsibility. The inspection describes pupils building strong relationships, showing kindness, listening attentively, and behaving well in shared spaces such as the lunch hall. For parents, that suggests the school invests in social norms that make day-to-day life calmer, particularly important in a larger primary.

There is also explicit reference to support for pupils who find it hard to manage feelings and behaviour, with pupils taught to discuss emotions and behave well. That combination, clear expectations plus targeted support, tends to suit children who want boundaries and benefit from adult coaching rather than purely punitive responses.

Safeguarding is a key baseline. The latest inspection explicitly confirms that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

The school gives extracurricular life a distinctive “pupil-led” flavour. The inspection notes pupils create and run clubs for their peers at lunchtime, which is a strong indicator that enrichment is not only adult-designed but also responsive to pupil interests.

Music is a visible pillar. The inspection states that all pupils learn to play a range of musical instruments, and the school website highlights choir activity in Key Stage 2 and lower Key Stage 2.

A concrete example is the Key Stage 2 choir singing at a community Christmas light switch-on event, which signals performance opportunities beyond assemblies.

Outdoor learning is another defining strand, described as cross-curricular and planned to ensure subject intentions remain central. The school frames this as building communication, teamwork and resilience, alongside risk management and safety awareness.

Trips also feature in the school’s public calendar of experiences, for example a farm trip documented for September 2025.

School day timings

gates open at 8:20am; classroom doors open at 8:30am and close at 8:40am. The day ends at 3:20pm Monday to Thursday, and 1:30pm on Fridays for Reception to Year 6.

Wraparound care

breakfast club runs from 7:15am on weekdays in term time; after school club runs until 5:45pm with different collection-time price points, and Friday Club runs from 1:30pm to 3:20pm (with eligibility criteria for working families or parents in full-time education). Fees are published for these services, for example breakfast club sessions are £2.50, and after school club prices vary by finish time.

Transport and access

Kings Hedges is in the Kings Hedges area of north Cambridge. For most families, the practical question is walkability and cycle safety, rather than long commutes. If you are relying on wraparound, plan your route so that late collections are realistic in peak traffic.

• Competition for places. Recent Reception data shows more applications than offers (77 applications for 56 offers), so admission can be a limiting factor even for local families.

• Teaching consistency, with a specific improvement point. The most recent inspection notes that learning activities are occasionally not well matched to the intended knowledge, which can limit retention in those moments. Parents may want to ask how subject leaders are improving task design and checking impact.

• Friday finish time. A 1:30pm Friday finish is convenient for some but challenging for others. Friday Club is available, but it has eligibility conditions and may require planning well in advance.

A large Cambridge primary where culture and routines do a lot of the heavy lifting. The school’s strengths lie in strong KS2 attainment, an organised approach to curriculum and assessment, and a pupil culture that values learning, responsibility, and kindness. It suits families who want high expectations in a structured setting, and who appreciate enrichment that includes music, outdoor learning, and pupil-led leadership opportunities. The main challenge is securing a place, especially in oversubscribed years.