North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy Review 2026: Small Village School with National Academic Weight

North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy provides a distinct educational experience that balances the intimacy of a village setting with results that compete on a national stage. With a capacity of just 70 pupils, this is one of the smaller primary providers in Gloucestershire, yet its academic footprint is significant. The school sits in the heart of the Churn Valley, serving a rural community within the Cotswold district.

In 2024, the school performance metrics placed it in the top 10% of schools in England, outperforming 94% of providers nationally. This high ranking is particularly notable given the small cohort sizes, which allow for a level of individual attention rarely found in larger urban primaries. The school operates as part of the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust (DGAT), benefitting from shared central resources while maintaining its traditional Church of England identity.

The atmosphere at North Cerney is defined by its scale. At drop off, the gates reveal a close knit community where staff members are familiar with every family. The school buildings reflect its Cotswold heritage, integrated into a landscape of honey coloured stone and rolling hills. Inside, the environment is calm and purposeful, with mixed age classes that encourage older pupils to take on leadership roles and younger ones to aspire to more complex tasks.

The current Executive Headteacher, Mrs Suki Pascoe, has led the school since September 2017. Under her stewardship, the academy has fostered an environment that values curiosity and individual progress. The school Christian character is woven into the daily rhythm through collective worship and a focus on values such as kindness and perseverance.

Physical space is used creatively to support learning. The school makes the most of its rural location, incorporating outdoor learning and ensuring that pupils have a strong connection to their local environment. The small capacity means the school feels like an extension of the family home, providing a secure and nurturing base for early education.

The academic outcomes for 2024 tell a story of exceptional achievement. At the expected standard, 83% of pupils met the benchmark in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%.

North Cerney ranks 864th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). Within the Cotswold district, the school ranks 4th among its local peers. These results place the academy in the elite tier of schools nationally, performing well above the England average.

Higher attainment figures are equally impressive. In 2024, 45% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, a figure that dwarfs the England average of 8%. The average scaled score in reading was particularly high at 112, compared to the England average of 105. In mathematics, the average scaled score was 109, again exceeding the national benchmark of 104.

Teaching at North Cerney is structured around small group sizes and a high degree of personalisation. Because the school is small, classes often span multiple year groups, which requires teachers to have an expert understanding of the curriculum across different stages. This structure allows pupils to progress at a pace that suits their individual needs, often moving ahead of their chronological age in specific subjects.

The curriculum follows the national framework but is enriched with local context. Science and geography often involve outdoor elements, taking advantage of the Cotswold surroundings. The school places a strong emphasis on reading, which is reflected in the exceptionally high scaled scores achieved by the 2024 cohort. Pupils are encouraged to read widely and discuss their choices, fostering a genuine love of literature from an early age.

External assessments confirm that teachers have high expectations. The latest Ofsted inspection, which rated the school Good, highlighted the ambitious nature of the curriculum and the effective way teachers identify and close gaps in learning. The academy membership in the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust provides staff with access to specialist training and professional development, ensuring that teaching remains current and effective.

With such a small pupil population, pastoral care is inherently strong. Every child is known individually, and their emotional well being is monitored daily by a consistent team of staff. The school operates as a nurturing, close knit community where children feel safe to express themselves and take risks in their learning.

The SENCO works closely with class teachers to support pupils with additional needs. Because of the high staff to pupil ratio, interventions can be targeted and frequent. The school Christian ethos provides a framework for behaviour and social development, with a clear focus on mutual respect and responsibility.

Behaviour is calm and consistent throughout the day. Older students are taught to be role models for the younger ones, creating a supportive hierarchy that builds confidence. The school provides a sanctuary for children who might find larger, noisier environments overwhelming.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied, focusing on developing the whole child beyond academic metrics. Named clubs and societies, such as the Gardening Club and various sporting teams, allow pupils to pursue interests in a relaxed setting. The school also participates in Cotswold wide sporting fixtures, ensuring that pupils have the opportunity to compete against larger cohorts from nearby towns.

Music and the arts are integrated into school life, with regular performances that involve the entire school. The Church of England link means that pupils often participate in services and festivals at the local parish church, strengthening their ties to the village community. Annual residential trips and local excursions are staples of the calendar, providing pupils with experiences of the wider world beyond the Churn Valley.

Admissions are coordinated by Gloucestershire County Council, though the school academy status gives it a degree of independence in its policy. The school is currently oversubscribed; in the most recent intake, there were 16 applications for only 5 offers. This represents a subscription proportion of 3.2, indicating that for every child who secured a place, more than two others were disappointed.

The school has a capacity of 70 pupils across seven year groups, meaning intake years are typically very small. Families considering North Cerney should engage with the local authority process early. The closing date for Reception 2026 applications is 15 January 2026, with Allocation Day falling on 16 April 2026. Parents can use the FindMySchool Map Search to view their proximity to the school gates and assess their chances based on local applicant density.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state funded academy, North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy does not charge tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge to all pupils. Parents are usually expected to cover the cost of school uniforms and occasional voluntary contributions for school trips or specialist workshops.

Families needing support with these costs may be eligible for the Pupil Premium, which provides additional funding to the school to support students from lower income households. This funding can often be used to assist with the costs of school trips and other enrichment activities.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Given its rural location in North Cerney, most pupils arrive by car or via local school transport. Parking is limited near the school gates, and the village lanes require careful navigation during drop off and pick up times.

While the school does not publish extensive details about wraparound care on its public portal, it does offer a range of after school activities. Parents requiring specific breakfast or after school club information should contact the school office directly for the most up to date provision and timings.

• Small cohort dynamics: With only five or six children in a year group, social circles are inevitably small. This can lead to very deep friendships, but families should consider if their child would prefer a larger peer group.
• Mixed age classes: Pupils will spend several years with the same teacher and a mixture of older and younger peers. This requires a specific type of learner who can work independently while the teacher focuses on another year group within the same room.
• Oversubscribed status: With 3.2 applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle. Parents should have a clear second choice in mind as the limited number of places makes admission highly competitive.
• Rural location: Transport links are limited, and families living outside the immediate village will be reliant on cars or local authority transport for the duration of their child time at the school.

North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy is a school that punches well above its weight, combining a traditional Cotswold village atmosphere with academic results that sit in the top tier nationally. It is an ideal environment for families seeking a small, nurturing setting where children are treated as individuals rather than statistics. The school best suits children who thrive in quiet, focused environments and families who value a strong Christian ethos. The main challenge lies in admission; once a place is secured, the educational experience is exceptional.