Highfield Primary School, Leeds Review 2026: Outstanding outcomes, calm culture, and a serious commitment to inclusion

Two-form entry brings scale without anonymity here. Highfield Primary School, Leeds admits 60 pupils per year group, which supports a broad friendship mix while keeping routines consistent from Reception to Year 6.

Academic outcomes are a clear headline. In the most recently published Key Stage 2 results, 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, well above the England average of 62%. The school’s FindMySchool ranking places it above England average overall, within the top 25% of primaries in England.

A graded inspection in March 2024 judged the school Outstanding overall, with Outstanding grades across every main judgement area.

Highfield’s tone is purposeful, but not pressurised. Expectations are high, and pupils are expected to behave well, speak respectfully, and take their learning seriously. That shows up in the way classroom routines are described, and in the emphasis on consistency across year groups, rather than relying on charisma or one-off initiatives.

Belonging and fairness are not treated as add-ons. The school places explicit weight on respect, equality and inclusion, and links these ideas to what pupils learn and how they act. A visible example is the school’s Respect, Equality & Diversity (RED) work, which is positioned as a curriculum driver rather than a standalone assembly theme.

Leadership stability matters in primaries, and Highfield has had a clear recent chapter. Jonathan Feeley is named as headteacher in the latest inspection documentation, and the school community was informed of his permanent appointment in March 2023. This timeframe is useful context for parents weighing continuity, because it sits early enough to influence whole-school culture while still feeling current.

A final point on identity: the school frames its direction around the motto unlocking potential. It is presented as an all-pupil ambition, not just a message for high attainers, and the wider approach to enrichment and inclusion is aligned with that claim.

Highfield’s published outcomes indicate consistently strong attainment at the end of Year 6. In the most recent results set 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 36.67% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%.

The detail underneath that headline is also strong. Average scaled scores sit at 108 in reading and 106 in maths, with 108 in grammar, punctuation and spelling. These are well above typical national reference points for scaled scoring, and align with the wider picture of secure fundamentals and confident literacy.

Rankings should be read carefully, because they are relative measures, not absolute guarantees. Highfield’s FindMySchool ranking places it at 2,838th in England for primary outcomes, and 39th in Leeds. This reflects solid performance above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England. These are proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official data.

For parents, the practical implication is this: outcomes suggest that pupils generally leave Year 6 ready for secondary content, with a meaningful proportion working beyond the expected level. For children who thrive on clear goals and strong routines, the data supports Highfield as a credible academic choice.

Teaching is structured around building knowledge cumulatively rather than teaching isolated topics. A key strength is the emphasis on revisiting prior content before moving on to harder material, which supports long-term retention and reduces the gap between confident pupils and those who need more repetition.

Reading is treated as a whole-school priority, not just an English subject. The inspection evidence highlights reading as central to the curriculum, including the use of carefully chosen books to broaden vocabulary and open access to wider learning. Pupils also take on roles such as reading ambassadors, which signals that reading is part of school identity rather than a private activity done only at home.

Phonics provision is described as consistent and tightly delivered, with quick intervention when pupils fall behind. For parents of early readers, that matters because it usually translates into predictable routines, matched language between home reading and school instruction, and fewer children quietly slipping through without the decoding skills they need.

Support for pupils with additional needs is positioned as integrated rather than separate. Highfield states that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities learn the same curriculum, with additional scaffolding such as pre-teaching. The SENDCo and Inclusion Lead is named as Mrs Dalgliesh, and the school publishes multiple inclusion updates and policy documents, which is often a marker of active rather than passive inclusion practice.

As a Leeds primary, transition at Year 6 sits within a city-wide admissions system and a broad secondary landscape. Outcomes at Highfield suggest pupils are generally well prepared for the academic demands of Key Stage 3, particularly given the strength in reading and secure curriculum sequencing through the primary years.

What families should do early is map secondary options to their address and priorities, then work backwards. In practice, the biggest variables tend to be distance, sibling links, and the popularity of specific secondary schools in north Leeds. FindMySchool’s Map Search is useful here, because it lets families sanity-check how realistic a preferred secondary school is based on their exact home location.

Highfield’s internal preparation for transition is likely to benefit pupils who can manage increasing independence. Clear routines, leadership roles (such as peer mediators), and expectations around behaviour all tend to translate well into the more complex social world of secondary school.

Competition for places is real. For the Reception entry route Highfield received 235 applications for 60 offers, which equates to 3.92 applications per place. The school is therefore operating in oversubscribed territory, where realistic planning matters as much as preference.

Applications for Reception are coordinated through Leeds City Council rather than directly through the school. For September 2026 entry, Leeds’ normal round timetable lists an application window opening on 1 November 2025, with the national closing date of 15 January 2026, and offers released on Thursday 16 April 2026. The same published timetable also sets 30 April 2026 as the first cut-off point for acceptance of offers and waiting list changes, which families should diarise if they are likely to be weighing multiple options.

Highfield also publishes an admissions timetable example from a previous year, and is clear that dates can vary if a family applies via another local authority. That is a sensible reminder for families living near boundaries, or those moving into Leeds.

Open events are scheduled on the school website, and the listed pattern suggests autumn dates with an additional session in January. If the specific dates have passed by the time you read this, treat the months as the useful signal and check the school’s current calendar.

Pastoral care at primary level is mostly about the daily basics done well: predictable routines, consistent adult responses, and a culture where pupils know who to speak to. Highfield’s approach is strongly aligned with that model. Behaviour expectations are described as high and well embedded, and pupils report feeling safe and supported if issues arise.

Anti-bullying is not framed as a slogan. The inspection evidence states that bullying is reported as rare and that pupils believe adults will help if it occurs. The implication for parents is not that problems never happen, but that reporting routes and adult follow-through are taken seriously.

Inclusion is a visible strength. The school describes itself as inclusive, and publishes SEND leadership and information routes clearly. The practical benefit for families is earlier identification, quicker adjustments, and fewer battles to access support.

The latest inspection also confirms safeguarding arrangements are effective. That matters less as a headline and more as reassurance that systems, training, and culture are operating as intended.

Highfield’s extracurricular offer has two notable features. First, clubs span both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, which matters because some schools concentrate opportunities in older year groups. Second, there is a mix of staff-led options and external providers, which typically increases variety but can introduce additional costs and limited spaces.

For sport and movement, the published club list includes Basketball for older pupils, Rugby Tots for Reception and Year 1, and Taekwondo open to all years. The implication is choice across confidence levels: team sports for those who enjoy competitive play, and individual disciplines for children who prefer structured progression.

Creative and performing arts also have a proper foothold. Drama is listed for both older pupils (lunch sessions) and Years 1 and 2, and a Year 5 and 6 Choir is included. The inspection narrative reinforces that pupils have access to choir and drama productions as part of broader talent development, which suggests these are not token offerings.

STEM-style enrichment appears through Computer Explorers, with year-group rotations across the year, plus short-format experiences such as Mad Science sessions. This kind of provision often suits pupils who like building, coding, and problem-solving, and it can be a good counterbalance for children who are less drawn to traditional team sports.

Enrichment is also embedded through visits and workshops. The school positions enrichment as a curriculum driver and points to planned educational visits and workshops over time. The inspection account references experiences such as ballet workshops and museum visits, alongside a commitment that disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND do not miss out.

The school day runs Monday to Friday, with official hours of 8.55am to 3.30pm. Drop-off is described as 8.45am to 8.55am, and the school explains late procedures and collection expectations clearly.

Wraparound care is provided by the school. Breakfast club offers drop-off from 7.30am at £9.00 per session, and after-school club runs until 6pm at £15.00 per session, both including food. For families working standard office hours, that is a practical advantage, but parents should plan early if sessions are popular.

Travel and parking are treated as a safety issue, not a convenience issue. The school notes that parking for drop-off and pick-up is a problem, and that the staff car park is restricted, with an explicit warning about unsafe parking and driving on Sandringham Green. Some school communications also point families to safer walking routes, including use of a pelican crossing on Shadwell Lane when using a nearby park and stride option.

Holiday provision is available on-site via an organised holiday club offer, with published hours of 8.30am to 5.00pm. Parents should treat specific weeks and pricing as variable and confirm on the current provider information before committing.

• Oversubscription reality. With 235 applications for 60 places in the Reception admissions route many families who name the school will not receive an offer. If Highfield is your first choice, plan realistic fallbacks early.

• Drop-off logistics. The school is clear that parking is challenging and can become unsafe at peak times. Families who can walk, scoot, or use a park and stride pattern are likely to find the day-to-day experience less stressful.

• Clubs can be pay-to-play. The club programme includes external providers and warns that there may be costs and limited places. If after-school activities are essential childcare for you, check how allocation works each term.

• Strong standards may not suit every child. High expectations are a positive for many pupils, but children who need a gentler pace or who struggle with tightly structured routines may need careful transition support.

Highfield Primary School, Leeds combines strong outcomes with a settled culture of high expectations and inclusive practice. Inspection evidence and published results point in the same direction, a school where reading, curriculum knowledge, and behaviour routines are taken seriously, and where enrichment is planned rather than improvised.

It suits families who value clear standards, strong academic fundamentals, and a school that puts inclusion and respect at the centre of daily life. The biggest trade-off is admissions competition, because demand significantly exceeds places.