Mayfield Primary School, Cambridge Review 2026: A high-performing, inclusive primary with outdoor learning and a heated pool

A large, urban primary with a clear message about belonging, Mayfield Primary School, Cambridge pairs strong Key Stage 2 outcomes with an inclusive, practical approach to school life. The school’s published ethos centres on welcome and diversity, and that shows up in the way pupils are expected to learn together, take responsibility, and participate fully in assemblies, music and sport. External evaluation also points to pupils feeling safe and settled, with effective routines and a calm culture that supports learning.

Results are a major pull. In 2024, 74.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 32.33% achieved the high standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to 8% across England. The school’s performance also sits above England average overall, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England on the FindMySchool ranking (based on official assessment data).

For families weighing shortlist options in Cambridge, this is a school where academic expectations are obvious, but so is the emphasis on inclusion, wellbeing and wider participation. It is also oversubscribed, so admissions strategy matters.

The school communicates its priorities plainly. Core values published to parents include respect, resilience, empathy and kindness, creativity, aspiration, and independence, which sets the tone for behaviour expectations and day-to-day interactions.

Mrs Sarah Stepney is the current headteacher, and she is also listed as the school’s safeguarding lead within the staff structure. That dual role usually signals a leadership team that keeps pupil safety, attendance, and wellbeing systems close to the centre, rather than as an add-on.

Inclusion is not positioned as a separate strand. The most recent inspection describes pupils as happy and safe, and notes that pupils supported through the on-site deaf support centre are integrated into everyday school life. For parents, the practical implication is a school culture that expects difference to be normal, and that tends to shape how pupils treat one another, particularly in mixed-ability classrooms.

There is also a strong “school in the city” feel. Outdoor learning is highlighted in the school’s communications, and the wider offer includes opportunities that suit Cambridge families who value active travel, practical learning, and arts participation alongside core academics.

Mayfield’s Key Stage 2 profile is clearly above average for England, with particular strength at the higher standard.

In 2024, 74.67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. In the high standard measure for reading, writing and mathematics, 32.33% achieved the high standard, compared with 8% across England.

Subject indicators reinforce that picture. Reading expected standard is 82%, maths expected standard is 80%, and grammar, punctuation and spelling expected standard is 78%. Scaled scores are also strong: 108 in reading, 107 in maths, and 109 in grammar, punctuation and spelling.

On comparative positioning, FindMySchool ranks Mayfield 2,103rd in England for primary outcomes and 22nd in Cambridge (a proprietary FindMySchool ranking built from official attainment data). This places the school above England average overall, within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

What that tends to mean in practice is a school where Year 6 expectations are explicit early, and where pupils who can work at greater depth are likely to be stretched rather than simply kept busy. The high-standard figures suggest that more able pupils are not just coasting, which matters in Cambridge where many families are also thinking ahead to selective routes, strong comprehensives, or high-performing independent options.

Parents comparing nearby schools can use the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool to see how these results sit alongside other Cambridge primaries, especially when deciding whether to prioritise catchment, wraparound care, or academic stretch.

The teaching model is likely to feel structured rather than experimental, with a clear emphasis on getting the basics right and then building breadth. External evaluation highlights reading as a priority, and the school’s published curriculum pages show subject-by-subject intent across the year groups.

Class organisation matters in a larger primary. The school states a maximum class size of 30, including in Key Stage 2, which helps parents understand what “large school” means in practice. The implication is predictable routines, a broad peer group, and consistent staffing structures across a three-form intake, rather than small-school intimacy.

Mayfield also appears to integrate learning beyond the classroom into everyday practice. Outdoor learning is presented as a normal part of school life, not an occasional enrichment day. For many pupils, that practical dimension improves focus and engagement, particularly for those who learn best through movement, talk, and hands-on tasks.

As a state primary in Cambridge, progression is primarily shaped by local authority admissions and family preference, with most pupils moving into Cambridge secondary schools serving the Chesterton area and wider city.

What parents usually want to know is whether a primary “travels well” into a range of secondaries. The attainment profile suggests that pupils leave with strong foundations in literacy and maths, which supports a smooth transition into a more demanding Key Stage 3 curriculum, particularly in schools that move quickly in year 7.

Mayfield’s local context also means some families will explore selective or independent routes at 11. The school’s higher-standard outcomes indicate that pupils capable of working at greater depth are being extended. For parents considering selective tests, that can be helpful, but it is not the same as targeted entrance preparation. Families who want an explicitly selection-oriented culture often choose that independently of the primary.

Reception admissions are coordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council, not handled solely by the school. For September 2026 entry, the local authority states that on-time applicants will receive offers on 16 April 2026. The school itself notes that allocations follow the closing date of 15 January each year.

The school is oversubscribed on the most recent recorded data. There were 159 applications for 60 places, which is 2.65 applications per place. First-preference demand also exceeded available places (a ratio of 1.16), which is consistent with a school that is popular locally rather than one relying on broader area intake.

The practical implication is that families should treat admissions as the limiting factor. If you are relying on distance, it is worth using FindMySchoolMap Search to check how your address compares with recent allocation patterns, while keeping in mind that cut-off distances shift year to year.

Open events for Reception applicants are typically scheduled in the autumn term, with Mayfield running open mornings in mid-November for the Reception 2026 cohort. Parents should check the current year’s dates directly with the school.

The school positions wellbeing as part of everyday culture rather than a separate programme. The headteacher is listed with safeguarding responsibility in the staff structure, which typically means clear reporting lines and consistent messaging for pupils and parents.

There are also signs of a whole-school approach to emotional regulation and inclusion. The school highlights wellbeing routes and SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development for parents, and a reading support culture is reinforced through initiatives such as a Pets as Therapy dog hearing children read.

The latest Ofsted report (March 2023) confirmed that Mayfield continues to be a Good school.

Mayfield’s extracurricular offer has a notably strong music identity for a state primary, and it is not limited to a single choir. The school describes pupils performing in assemblies through groups such as Choir, Samba Band and Orchestra, which signals that music is embedded into normal school rhythm rather than reserved for end-of-year concerts.

The Mayfield School Orchestra is a concrete example of that depth. It rehearses weekly and performs both in school and at external concerts, and it is led by a named professional musician, Anne Taylor. The benefit for pupils is twofold: ensemble discipline (listening, timing, shared responsibility) and confidence through regular performance rather than one-off showcases.

Sport and physical confidence also matter here, helped by facilities that many primaries do not have. The school highlights its heated swimming pool, and the pool has received ongoing investment, including upgrades funded by local partners and the PTA. For pupils, that translates into a normalised relationship with swimming and water safety, plus a wider range of summer-term activity.

Clubs vary by term, and the school publishes timetables and notes where external providers are involved. The main point for parents is that provision exists across lunchtimes and after school, but places, costs, and continuity can differ by club provider.

The published school day starts with children arriving from 8.45am, registration at 8.55am, and the end of day at 3.15pm for Key Stage 1 and 3.20pm for Key Stage 2.

Wraparound care is available via external providers. Breakfast club runs from 7.30am until the start of school, and after-school club provision is also hosted on site in the community room.

For travel and pick-up logistics, the school notes parking constraints and asks families to avoid parking immediately outside the school, which is typical for residential streets around Warwick Road.

• Oversubscription reality. With 159 applications for 60 places in the latest recorded data, admission is the hurdle. Families should plan with realistic alternatives in mind, particularly if distance is likely to be tight.

• A large-school experience. Capacity is listed at 420 pupils. That scale brings breadth in friendships and activities, but it can feel less personal for families hoping for a small-school dynamic.

• Extracurricular delivery varies by provider. Several clubs and wraparound options are run by external organisations. That can widen choice, but it also means availability and costs can shift between terms.

• Music and performance are prominent. Choir, orchestra, samba and ukulele appear regularly in the school’s communications. This suits pupils who enjoy performing, but less confident children may need time and encouragement to participate fully.

Mayfield Primary School, Cambridge combines above-average academic outcomes with an inclusive culture and a wider offer that is unusually strong for a large state primary, particularly in music and swimming. The school should suit families who want clear academic standards, a diverse peer group, and structured routines, and who are willing to manage the admissions challenge strategically. Entry remains the primary hurdle; once secured, the educational experience is broad and well organised.