Falcons Primary School Review 2026: Sikh-faith Primary with strong KS2 outcomes

A Grade II listed former NHS building, George Hine House, now sits at the centre of a modern primary offering a distinctive blend of heritage and purpose-built space. Opened in October 2014, the school combines a Sikh ethos with an explicitly inclusive intake, with at least half of places open to non-Sikh children, according to the headteacher’s welcome message.

Academic outcomes are a clear strength. In 2024, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. The overall picture is of a calm, respectful culture with high expectations, alongside practical family support such as on-site wraparound care from 7.30am to 5.00pm.

Respect and belonging come through strongly in how the school describes itself, and in how external evidence frames the day-to-day experience. Pupils talk about feeling that everyone matters, and the wider tone is one of courtesy and responsibility, linked to a faith-informed ethos that emphasises unity, equality, respect, compassion, and service.

The Sikh character is present, but the ambition is wider than faith instruction alone. The school’s stated approach is universal and inclusive, aiming to support children of all backgrounds while drawing on Sikh teachings as a foundation for values and conduct. Families who want a primary where spirituality and moral language are part of the conversation, but within an open admissions context, will recognise the intent here.

The physical setting helps the school feel different from many newer primaries. George Hine House retains original features from its previous use, alongside a 2016 new build. Outside, several playgrounds and a wildlife area provide a practical backdrop for outdoor learning, including a willow tunnel, pond, mature trees, and a storytelling area. For many children, those details matter as much as classroom routines, because they shape play, friendship groups, and how varied a typical week feels.

Behaviour is described as settled and purposeful. Pupils are reported to behave well, work hard, and take pride in contributing to the life of the school, including leadership opportunities and community events. Bullying is described as rare, with pupils saying adults help resolve issues fairly. This matters for parents not only as reassurance, but also as a signal that learning time is protected, particularly in a school where outcomes suggest high levels of focus and consistency.

The headline performance story is strong, and it is consistent across the core measures that parents tend to use when comparing local primaries.

In 2024, 84.33% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 24% achieved greater depth across reading, writing and maths, compared with the England average of 8%. Science teacher assessment was also high, with 87% meeting the expected standard, compared with an England average of 82%. These are the kind of figures that usually indicate well-sequenced teaching and steady routines across year groups.

Scaled scores add useful texture. Reading averaged 105 and mathematics 108, with grammar, punctuation and spelling at 110. As a reminder for parents, a scaled score of 100 indicates the expected standard in KS2 tests, so these averages suggest pupils are performing securely above that benchmark.

Rankings are also positive. Falcons Primary School is ranked 2,355th in England and 30th in Leicester for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places it above the England average, within the top 25% of primary schools in England. For families deciding between several plausible options, that combination of strong attainment and solid positioning can be a helpful way to calibrate expectations, especially if the child is academically confident and enjoys structured learning.

It is also worth reading the fine print behind strong results. External evaluation highlights that the curriculum has been carefully mapped in most subjects, and mathematics is described as ambitious and well sequenced, with teachers spotting misconceptions quickly. Reading is prioritised, with phonics from Reception and daily reading aloud, but some pupils who fall behind in reading are identified as needing more precise catch-up support to close gaps quickly. This is not unusual in diverse urban intakes, but it is a useful question for parents to raise during a visit: how quickly does additional support translate into fluency for those who are behind?

The curriculum is framed around both academic success and personal development. The school’s own language focuses on developing resilient, compassionate learners who can cooperate, think creatively, and reflect on their choices, while still meeting the formal requirements of the National Curriculum. Sikh values are presented as relevant to all pupils, tied to British Values and to a wider ambition that children leave primary with confidence, curiosity, and strong habits for learning.

Reading and language development are central pillars. Teaching begins early with structured phonics in Reception, and daily reading routines are part of the culture. Vocabulary is also emphasised across subjects, which can be particularly important in communities where many pupils speak English as an additional language. The practical implication for families is that the school is not only aiming for good test performance, it is also trying to strengthen the underlying language tools that drive success across the whole curriculum.

Mathematics is another clear strength. The evidence points to teachers having secure subject knowledge, using regular checks to identify misconceptions, and using resources to support pupils to move from understanding to problem solving. For children who enjoy patterns, logic and challenge, this approach often results in a class culture where it is normal to explain thinking clearly and to learn from errors rather than hide them.

Beyond the core, the school highlights experiential learning through visitors, educational visits, and outdoor learning. The wildlife area and outdoor spaces are not just decorative, they support a practical style of learning that can help children remember more over time, especially in science and humanities topics where real-world context makes concepts stick.

As a primary school, the key transition is into Year 7. The school’s ethos places emphasis on children developing responsibility, independence, and an understanding of wider society, which are all useful foundations for secondary transition, particularly in larger settings where pupils must manage different teachers and more complex timetables.

Because there is no designated catchment area for the school itself, families should not assume a simple feeder pattern into one named secondary. Secondary transfer in Leicester typically depends on the admissions arrangements of the secondary schools parents apply for, and the child’s home address can matter significantly for some popular options. The sensible approach is to shortlist likely secondaries early, then use FindMySchoolMap Search to understand travel distance and local alternatives before the Year 6 application season begins.

For pupils, the curriculum focus on language, reading confidence, and mathematical reasoning is a strong base for Key Stage 3. For parents, the best preparation is practical rather than abstract: build the daily habit of reading for pleasure, keep attendance steady, and ask the school how transition support works for pupils who are anxious about change or who need extra structure.

The school follows Leicester City Council’s coordinated admissions scheme for Reception entry and in-year applications, with Akaal Education Trust as the admissions authority. If the school is oversubscribed, applications are ranked using published oversubscription criteria, and the school states explicitly that it does not have a designated catchment area.

Demand data indicates competition for places. In the most recently available admissions figures, there were 36 applications for 21 offers, which is around 1.71 applications per place. With this level of demand, families should approach admissions as a process to manage actively, not a formality.

For September 2026 entry (2026 to 2027 admission round), Leicester City Council applications open on Monday 1 September 2025, with the closing date on Thursday 15 January 2026. National offer day is Thursday 16 April 2026. The council also publishes key timings for late applications and appeals, including a 1 June 2026 appeal deadline to be heard in the first round.

The school encourages families to visit via open mornings, personal tours, meetings with the head, or attending events. For parents making a decision across several options, visits matter because the differences are often cultural rather than academic: how routines are explained, how staff talk about behaviour, and whether the values language matches what you want reinforced at home.

Pastoral support is closely linked to safeguarding culture and to consistent adult visibility. The school identifies a safeguarding team led by the headteacher as Designated Safeguarding Lead, supported by the deputy headteacher and other named staff. Pupils are taught how to stay safe, including online, and the overall approach described is one where staff training, record keeping, and escalation routes are treated seriously.

The published safeguarding information also references Operation Encompass, a scheme used across Leicester schools to support children affected by domestic abuse incidents, through timely information-sharing between police and schools. For families, this signals an awareness of wider community pressures and a willingness to work with external agencies when needed.

Wellbeing is also framed positively through school culture. Children are encouraged to work through difficulties, develop resilience, and aim for ambitious goals, with a strong emphasis on adults modelling respectful behaviour. In practice, this usually shows up in predictable routines, clear expectations in class, and a school-wide language that children can use to explain emotions and resolve conflicts.

Extracurricular life has a distinctive cultural and faith-informed flavour, alongside mainstream clubs. The school runs a breakfast and after-school care club, and it also offers a rotating programme of after-school clubs that can include Gatka Club, Punjabi Class, and Gurbani Class, as well as Garba Dance Club and football, with letters sent each term listing current options. For Sikh families, those opportunities can help children connect language, music, and martial tradition to everyday school life. For non-Sikh families, they can be a rich window into a community-led culture that still aims to be inclusive.

Outdoor space is a practical asset, not just a selling point. Several playgrounds and a wildlife area support both structured learning and imaginative play, with specific features such as a pond, willow tunnel, and storytelling area. This supports the school’s stated intent to use experiential learning and to broaden horizons beyond the immediate neighbourhood.

Trips are used to build confidence and independence. The Year 5 residential has run in early June, and has included outdoor and team-building activities such as archery, abseiling, low-ropes with zipwire, and bushcraft. The detail matters because it shows the kind of risk-managed challenge the school is comfortable offering, which can be particularly valuable for children who are capable academically but need structured chances to stretch socially.

Recognition and responsibility also feature. Pupils are described as proud of contributing to school life and receiving awards that celebrate personal achievements, which tends to reinforce steady effort rather than only celebrating the highest attainers. For parents, that is often the difference between a school that feels pressurised and a school that feels ambitious but orderly.

The school day for the 2025 to 2026 academic year runs from 08.30am to 3.00pm, with gates opening at 08.20am. Wraparound care is available on-site from 7.30am to 5.00pm. Breakfast club runs 7.30am to 8.30am and after-school care typically runs from 3.00pm to 5.00pm, with published session prices for families who use it regularly.

Meals are vegetarian, egg-free and nut-free, and the school describes this as part of its approach to health, compassion and environmental responsibility. Reception to Year 2 pupils receive universal infant free school meals, while Key Stage 2 meals have a published daily cost, with a stated price change from late August 2025.

Parking and access are managed carefully. The school asks families not to park on the road approaching the gates, described as a private road, and encourages walking where possible. For parents, this is a small but real day-to-day factor, especially for families juggling multiple drop-offs.

• Competition for places. Admissions data indicates oversubscription, so families should not assume a place is guaranteed. The safest approach is to list realistic alternatives on the local authority application and use FindMySchool tools to understand distance and travel practicality.

• No designated catchment area. The school states explicitly that it does not have a designated catchment area, and applications are ranked using oversubscription criteria when demand exceeds places. This can be an advantage for families outside a tight boundary, but it also means you should read the criteria carefully rather than relying on informal assumptions.

• Sikh ethos is meaningful. The school’s ethos is rooted in Sikh teaching and values, with clubs that reflect Punjabi language and Gurbani. Families who prefer a fully secular approach should make sure the day-to-day culture matches what they want reinforced.

• Reading catch-up is a key question. External evaluation highlights reading as a priority, but also identifies that some pupils who fall behind need more precise support to catch up quickly. Ask how interventions are structured and how progress is checked term by term.

Falcons Primary School combines a distinctive Sikh-faith ethos with a strong academic record, especially at Key Stage 2, and a calm, respectful culture. The setting, split between a Grade II listed building and a newer extension, plus the wildlife area, gives the school a character that many urban primaries cannot replicate.

Who it suits: families who value clear expectations, strong attainment, and an inclusive faith-informed values culture, alongside practical wraparound care. The limiting factor is usually admission, so the most effective way to approach it is as a managed shortlist rather than a single-choice plan.