Clover Hill Community Primary School Review 2026: High Achieving Community in Whickham

Clover Hill Community Primary School serves as a cornerstone of the Whickham community, situated on the western outskirts of Gateshead. As a one-form entry school with a capacity of 210, it maintains a small, intimate environment where staff know every child individually. Academic performance is the headline here; Key Stage 2 results place the school among the highest-performing in England, sitting comfortably within the top 10% in England. Under the leadership of Head Teacher Ailsa Holden, who was appointed in September 2022, the school has cultivated a reputation for balancing rigorous academic standards with a warm, inclusive atmosphere.

The atmosphere at Clover Hill is purposeful yet relaxed. Located in a quiet residential area of Whickham, the school building is well-maintained and surrounded by green spaces that provide ample room for play and outdoor learning. The school motto, Working Together to be the Best we Can, is reflected in the collaborative relationship between staff, pupils, and a very active parent body.

The school operates as a single-form entry, meaning there is only one class per year group. This structure fosters a strong sense of continuity and stability, as pupils remain with the same peer group throughout their primary journey. It also allows for a close-knit community feel where older pupils are often seen looking out for younger ones. The 2022 Ofsted inspection, which maintained a Good rating, confirmed that the school remains a safe and happy environment where behaviour is impeccable and pupils show great respect for one another.

The academic outcomes at Clover Hill are exceptional and consistently exceed both Gateshead and England averages. In the 2024 results, a remarkable 95% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%.

Clover Hill Community Primary School ranks 444th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 5th among 69 primaries in the local area. This places the school in the top 10% of schools in England (top 10% of schools in England), a tier the school has occupied consistently over several years.

Depth of learning is equally impressive. At the higher standard, 33% of pupils achieved greater depth in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%. Scaled scores further underline this strength, with an average of 109 in reading and 110 in mathematics, both well above the England baseline of 100.

Teaching at Clover Hill is characterised by high expectations and a curriculum that is both broad and ambitious. The school follows the National Curriculum but enriches it with local context and practical experiences. In mathematics, 100% of pupils reached the expected standard in recent assessments, a feat the school attributes to a mastery approach that ensures no child is left behind.

Science and computing are also strengths. The curriculum is designed to encourage inquiry-based learning, where pupils are taught to ask questions and test hypotheses. Staff are described as experts in their subjects, and the small class sizes allow for frequent one-to-one feedback, ensuring that interventions are timely and effective.

As a primary school in Whickham, the majority of pupils progress to Whickham School for their secondary education. There is also a small but consistent movement toward local selective schools or other high-performing academies in the Gateshead area.

The school takes the transition to Year 7 seriously. During the final term, Year 6 pupils engage in various bridge-building activities with local secondaries, including taster days and visits from secondary subject specialists. This ensures that the jump from a small, one-form entry primary to a large secondary school is managed with minimal anxiety.

Securing a place at Clover Hill is a significant challenge for families. For the most recent intake, the school received 88 applications for just 30 places. This makes it heavily oversubscribed, with nearly three applications for every available desk.

Admissions are managed by Gateshead Council. While the school does not have a formal catchment map, places are generally allocated to siblings first and then by distance from the school gates. Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance compared to previous years' successful applicants. Because the school is so popular, the distance radius is often very tight.

Fees & Financial Aid

Clover Hill Community Primary is a state-funded school. As such, there are no tuition fees for any pupils. Funding is provided by the local authority, and the school manages its budget to provide a high-quality education without the need for private fees. Parents may occasionally be asked to contribute toward the cost of school trips or specific extracurricular activities, but these are kept as low as possible to remain inclusive.

Wellbeing is integrated into the daily routine. The school employs a positive behaviour policy that rewards effort and kindness, which contributes to the calm and respectful environment noted by inspectors.

Support for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is a priority. The SENCO works closely with class teachers to ensure that individual education plans are practical and impactful. Parents are kept well-informed of their child's progress through regular meetings and informal check-ins at the school gate, creating a transparent support network around the child.

Extracurricular life at Clover Hill is vibrant, with a focus on both physical activity and creative expression. The school offers a range of clubs including the popular Choir and several sports teams that compete in Gateshead-wide leagues.

Named facilities like the dedicated ICT Suite and the expansive outdoor field support a variety of pursuits. STEM is a particular focus, with the school running coding clubs to prepare students for a digital future. The "Forest School" sessions are a highlight for younger pupils, allowing them to build resilience and teamwork skills in a natural setting.

The school day begins at 8:50 am and concludes at 3:20 pm. For working parents, the school provides wraparound care through its on-site Clover Club, which offers a breakfast club from 7:45 am and an after-school club until 5:45 pm.

The school is accessible by public transport via several bus routes serving Whickham, though parking in the immediate vicinity during drop-off and pick-up is limited. Walking and cycling are encouraged, and the school participates in the Bikeability scheme to ensure pupils can travel safely.

• Intense Competition for Places: With over three applications per place, Clover Hill is one of the most sought-after schools in Gateshead. Families living outside the immediate residential streets of Whickham may find it difficult to secure a place.
• One-Form Entry Social Dynamics: While the small size is nurturing, it means the peer group is small and fixed. Children remain with the same 29 classmates for seven years, which may not suit every child's social needs.
• Wraparound Care Demand: Due to the school's popularity, the Clover Club can reach capacity quickly. Parents are advised to book sessions well in advance of the new term.

Clover Hill Community Primary School is an academic powerhouse that has managed to retain its soul. It delivers results that rival the most elite schools in England while remaining a grounded, community-focused institution. Best suited to local families who value high academic standards within a traditional, close-knit school structure. The primary hurdle remains admission; for those who secure a place, the educational foundation provided is exceptional.