Lowbrook Academy Review 2026: Elite Primary Outcomes, Small Intake, Big Ambition

Laeti, sani, multa, perficientes (Happy, Healthy, High Achievers) sits at the centre of how Lowbrook Academy presents itself, with wellbeing and high expectations treated as two sides of the same coin.

The headline story is outcomes. Based on official primary attainment data, Lowbrook ranks 2nd in England and 1st in Maidenhead for primary performance (FindMySchool ranking). That places it among the highest-performing schools in England (top 2%). Alongside the data sits a very practical reality, this is a small-entry primary. The published PAN is 30 for 2025 to 2026, and the school is oversubscribed.

Leadership is long-standing, with the academy’s website describing Principal Dave Rooney’s tenure as more than 18 years, and official listings also naming him as headteacher or principal.

A defining feature here is the language the academy uses about wellbeing and learning, with “Happy, Healthy, High Achievers” framed as a lived daily priority rather than a poster slogan.

The tone from formal external evaluation aligns with that self-description. The most recent Ofsted inspection (6 December 2022) judged the school Good overall, with Behaviour and attitudes and Personal development both Outstanding, and Early years provision also Outstanding. Safeguarding was reported as effective.

Facilities and spaces appear deliberately designed to support varied teaching modes. The academy describes an Interactive Learning Environment created from a redesigned former library and ICT suite, intended for flexible use across the day.

For families, the practical implication is a school that aims to combine calm routines with a high bar for achievement. The most likely “feel” is purposeful and structured, with a culture that takes both relationships and results seriously, which will suit many children, but can feel intense for those who thrive best with a gentler academic pace.

This is where Lowbrook Academy stands out clearly.

Ranked 2nd in England and 1st in Maidenhead for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), performance sits in the elite tier, placing it in the top 2% of schools in England.

In the most recent published primary measures 100% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 81% reached greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%. Reading, mathematics, and grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled scores are also far above typical national benchmarks (reading 114, maths 116, GPS 117).

The parent-facing implication is straightforward. Children here are typically taught to master core knowledge securely, and to apply it confidently across subjects. For pupils who enjoy being stretched, the published figures suggest they are likely to be well served. For pupils who need more time to consolidate, parents should explore how challenge and support are balanced day to day.

Parents comparing nearby schools can use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tools to see how this performance sits alongside other Maidenhead options, using like-for-like official measures.

Lowbrook’s curriculum messaging emphasises knowledge that connects to real contexts, alongside a strong emphasis on technology and research-informed practice.

The mathematics curriculum description is unusually practical for a primary, explicitly referencing financial literacy contexts such as banking and interest in Year 6. The value of this approach is that it can make abstract concepts feel concrete, which often improves both engagement and long-term retention.

A second distinctive thread is the school’s interest in flexible learning spaces and resourcing, including a well-stocked library and classroom technology such as interactive whiteboards.

As a state primary, the onward pathway is shaped by local authority secondary options, family preference, and, for some, selective routes further afield. The school’s own documentation references structured transition processes, including Year 6 staff meeting Year 7 colleagues from surrounding secondary schools in the summer term to discuss individual pupils.

For families, the practical takeaway is that transition is treated as an organised process rather than a last-minute handover. If you are weighing specific secondary destinations, it is sensible to ask how the school supports: secondary application guidance, information evenings, and transition support for pupils with additional needs.

Lowbrook Academy is a state school with no tuition fees.

Demand is high relative to available places. For the primary entry route there were 187 applications for 30 offers, with a subscription ratio of 6.23 applications per place. The school is recorded as oversubscribed.

The academy’s admissions information also reinforces the small intake, stating a published PAN of 30 for 2025 to 2026.

For September 2026 Reception entry in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the local authority guide states that applications open on 11 November 2025, the on-time deadline is 15 January 2026, national offer day is 16 April 2026, and the deadline to respond is 3 May 2026.

Because the last offered distance is not available here, families should avoid relying on informal “it should be fine” assumptions. Use the FindMySchool Map Search to understand your precise proximity, then validate that against the local authority’s published allocation patterns.

Open events matter for a school like this. The academy previously ran an open evening in November, with tours led by Year 6 pupils; families should treat November as a typical timing and check the school’s current listings for updated dates.

Pastoral confidence is supported by external judgement. Ofsted’s latest inspection judged Behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding, alongside Outstanding Personal development, which usually aligns with consistent routines, clear expectations, and pupils who feel secure and guided.

The school’s safeguarding information is detailed and clearly structured, which typically signals a culture where child protection responsibilities are taken seriously and operationalised, not left as a compliance document.

As a practical point for parents, the “open door” framing in the school’s communications suggests that staff accessibility at the start and end of the day is positioned as part of the home-school relationship.

Extracurricular provision is unusually specific for a small primary, and the school names clubs rather than relying on generic statements.

The clubs list includes Green Team, Student Bulletin Club, Choir, French, and a variety of sports options such as Multi Sports, Netball, and Mixed Football. There are also partnerships with external providers for activities including street dance, gymnastics, kickboxing, and kung fu. The implication for families is twofold: pupils can try activities that are not always available in smaller primaries, and parents should expect places in some clubs to be competitive if demand is strong.

Physical activity also has a consistent in-school routine, with the academy describing a daily “Lowbrook Mile” as part of its approach to sustaining healthy habits.

Facilities add texture to this programme. The Lowbrook Suite, described as an eco-friendly building with a green roof, was designed to meet rising demand and is used for Foundation Stage and Year 5.

The published school day runs from 8.55am to 3.15pm.

Wraparound care is clearly established. The clubs information states after-school provision from 3.15pm to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and to 5.00pm on Friday; breakfast club is also offered.

For travel planning, families should expect limited on-site parking during open events, with the school previously encouraging walking where possible.

• A very small intake. With a published PAN of 30 and an oversubscribed profile, securing a place is the main limiting factor for many families, regardless of fit.

• High-attainment culture. The results profile is exceptional, which tends to bring an ambitious learning pace. This suits many children, but those who need learning to move more slowly may find it demanding.

• Club competition. The range of clubs is strong, but the school indicates demand can exceed supply, so families should assume not every child gets every first choice every term.

• Open-event dates can change year to year. The school has historically used November for open evenings, but families should always confirm current dates directly via the school’s latest updates.

Lowbrook Academy pairs an extremely high-performing outcomes profile with a small, highly sought-after intake. It is best suited to families who want a state primary with very strong academic indicators, clear routines, and an ethos that explicitly links wellbeing with achievement. Competition for places is the practical hurdle, not the educational offer.

Families considering it as a first-choice option should use Saved Schools to track deadlines, open events, and how admissions criteria apply to their address, especially given the intensity of demand.