Kings Cliffe Endowed Primary School Review 2026: A high-performing village primary with ambitious curriculum and strong pastoral systems

A move into a purpose-built building in February 2017 gave this one-form-entry school the space to do what it does best, combine high expectations with practical, hands-on learning. The site is set across around five acres, with an assembly hall, a library positioned as a central hub, and three outdoor learning areas including an outdoor classroom that can be used year-round.

Academic outcomes are a clear strength. In 2024, 87% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, well above the England average of 62%. Scaled scores were also high, at 109 for reading and 108 for maths. (These figures reflect published end-of-key-stage outcomes; they help parents judge academic momentum ahead of secondary transfer.)

The school sits within a Christian tradition and maintains a clear, rights-based language around safety, learning and respect. It is also oversubscribed in the primary entry route, with 33 applications for 20 offers in the latest admissions data, so families should treat admissions planning as part of the overall decision.

There is a very deliberate tone set by the school’s stated motto, “Growing a love for learning”, and that theme runs through day-to-day routines. The language on the school website leans towards confidence, curiosity and the habit of reflection, with “School Rights” articulated simply as being safe, being able to learn, and being treated with respect.

Official inspection evidence supports a calm, purposeful culture. Pupils are described as happy and safe, with calm, orderly conduct in lessons and at playtime, alongside extremely high expectations for behaviour and effort. Pupils also have visible leadership roles, including reading with younger children and contributing to outdoor projects such as tree planting.

Pastoral features have some distinctive touches. The school has a wellbeing dog, Mabel, referenced directly in the most recent inspection report as an incentive pupils work towards, which suggests a culture that takes emotional regulation seriously without turning it into something heavy or clinical.

The house system adds an additional layer of belonging. Pupils are placed into one of four houses, Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, Mary Anning, and Isaac Newton, with house points used to recognise positive behaviour and effort. Sports Day is run through house groupings, and the house cup is awarded termly.

Nursery and early years provision is part of the lived experience here rather than a bolt-on. Pre-School content emphasises outdoor learning and practical routines, including waterproof clothing for regular time outside and a consistent in-room staff team across the week. For families who prioritise early independence and physical play, this is a meaningful sign of what the school values at age two and beyond.

This is a high-performing primary by England benchmarks. In 2024, 87.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 32.33% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%. These are notably strong figures for a one-form-entry village school, and they suggest that the most able pupils are being stretched rather than merely kept comfortable.

Scaled scores also indicate depth. Reading is 109, mathematics 108, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 112. The combined total score across reading, maths and GPS is 329. For parents, the implication is that pupils are not only meeting thresholds but also demonstrating strong attainment within them, which tends to correlate with smoother transition into demanding secondary curricula.

Rankings provide a second lens. The school is ranked 679th in England and 2nd locally for primary outcomes, based on FindMySchool rankings using official data. Put plainly, that places it well above the England average, within the top 10% of primary schools in England.

A final point that matters in practice is consistency across subjects. Expected standard is high in reading (89%) and maths (93%), and science is close to the England average (81% versus 82%). That balance suggests the school is not trading breadth for headline scores in one area.

Curriculum intent is ambitious and deliberately planned. The most recent inspection report describes a curriculum that exceeds the ambition of the national curriculum, designed carefully to build knowledge and skills year on year, with regular review and adaptation so that it continues to meet pupil needs, including for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Reading is treated as a priority from the earliest point. Phonics begins at the start of Reception and remains a focus through key stage 1, with targeted support quickly deployed if pupils fall behind. A strong reading culture is reinforced by the library being described as a central hub, and by pupils’ enthusiasm for books and authors.

Mathematics is given equal weight. Early number skills are practised in the early years and then built systematically, with staff using agreed methods and resources so that pupils develop shared approaches, not a patchwork of strategies that change by class.

Learning is not confined to the classroom. The school states that each year group experiences at least three enrichment opportunities each year, with at least one being a trip out of school. Years 3 and 4 take a two-night residential, while Years 5 and 6 take a four-night residential. This matters because residentials, when done well, can be a practical rehearsal for secondary transition, pupils practise independence, routines, and social resilience in a structured setting.

Early years deserves separate mention because the nursery provision starts at age two. Pre-School guidance highlights substantial outdoor time and a routine built around preparedness rather than avoidance, appropriate clothing, daily outdoor play, and consistent staff presence across the week. For families choosing a setting partly for temperament, this signals an early years culture that expects children to be active and capable, with adult support structured around habits and routines.

As a primary school, the key “destination” is secondary transfer at age 11, and the practical question is how well pupils are prepared for the academic and pastoral shift. The inspection evidence points to pupils being exceptionally well prepared for next steps, which aligns with the strong attainment profile.

For local families, it is also relevant that Kings Cliffe Endowed is explicitly listed as a feeder school within published admissions documentation for Prince William School in Oundle. This does not guarantee a place, but it is a useful indicator of the typical secondary pathway in the area and the relationships that tend to underpin transition.

For pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, transition work is described as planned and collaborative. The SEND information notes that the SENDCo liaises with the SENDCo at the receiving secondary school and that transition review meetings typically form part of the process. The implication is that transition is treated as a process rather than a single event, which is often what families need most at this stage.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Admissions for Reception are coordinated through North Northamptonshire Council for community and voluntary controlled schools, and the school website directs families to the local authority’s published arrangements and the school’s own admissions policy.

For September 2026 Reception entry, the on-time closing date was 15 January 2026. Families applying after that point are treated as late applications and are processed in later allocation rounds. Offers are issued from 16 April 2026.

Competition for places exists, but it is not the “hundreds for dozens” profile seen in some urban primaries. The latest admissions data shows 33 applications for 20 offers in the primary entry route, a ratio of 1.65 applications per place. In practice, that often means some families will miss out, but outcomes are less dominated by tiny distance margins than at heavily oversubscribed city schools. Parents looking to understand local pressure points should use FindMySchool’s Map Search tool to check their distance and compare nearby alternatives, particularly because demand patterns can shift year to year as housing changes.

Pre-School admissions are typically handled directly by settings rather than through the same coordinated Reception process, and the school website’s Pre-School page focuses on routine and curriculum rather than a dated admissions calendar. Families considering a two-year-old start should expect a more flexible intake pattern and should check current availability and session models with the school.

Pastoral practice here appears structured rather than reactive. Pupils are taught to identify emotions and are given tools to manage feelings, with a clear message that any member of staff is an appropriate adult for worries. Online safety is also treated as part of the safeguarding culture rather than an occasional lesson.

Formal safeguarding is described as effective in the most recent inspection report, and the school’s own safeguarding statement reinforces an expectation that all staff and volunteers share responsibility for child welfare.

Wellbeing work has also been pursued through external validation. In October 2025, the school reported that it had received a wellbeing award following a final assessment day involving staff, pupils and volunteers. While awards are never the whole story, the practical implication is that the school is investing time in a coherent wellbeing strategy, not relying on informal goodwill alone.

Extracurricular and enrichment are not framed as optional extras here; they are part of the school’s identity and, importantly, pupils are given leadership roles in shaping them. The school’s sports structure includes Play Activity Leaders and a Sports Crew, with Year 6 pupils helping to plan and run clubs and intra-school competitions. That is a meaningful form of responsibility for primary-age pupils, and it tends to suit children who gain confidence from structured leadership roles.

Physical activity opportunities are clearly itemised. Across clubs and lunchtime activities, the school lists gymnastics, girls’ and boys’ football, rugby, netball, basketball, dance and acro dance, multi-sports, athletics, outdoor games, drama, gardening, and sports leadership roles. Parents should treat this as a menu rather than a promise that every activity runs every term, but it does show the breadth of what the school plans for across the year.

Sport is also connected to local pathways. The school describes links with Oundle Swimming Club and King’s Cliffe Junior Football Club, including taking Year 3 and Year 4 pupils to Oundle for swimming alongside older non-swimmers, and then helping pupils who show aptitude to continue training and enter competitions outside school. This kind of pathway matters because it turns “clubs” into sustained development, which is often what parents mean when they ask whether a school takes sport seriously.

Creative and practical strands also appear in the school’s published documentation, including a vocal choir and peripatetic instrument teaching (keyboard, ukulele and guitar), plus club references such as guitar club, dance club, craft club, and top trumps club. For children who enjoy performance or making, this mix helps avoid the common primary problem of “everything is sport unless you opt out.”

Trips and “real world” learning are prominent. The inspection report notes visits including the seaside and London attractions, alongside residential trips. Separately, the school curriculum statement confirms the structured pattern of trips and residentials by year group. The implication is simple, pupils are expected to learn through experience as well as through books, which is a good fit for children who engage best when learning has a tangible outcome.

The school gates open at 8.45am for an 8.55am registration, and the school day ends at 3.25pm, totalling 32.5 hours per week.

Wraparound provision is referenced in the school’s published information as including a breakfast club and an after-school Play and Stay Club. Because wraparound arrangements can change over time, families should confirm current timings, costs and booking processes directly with the school before relying on them for childcare planning.

Transport is relevant for a rural catchment. The school notes that around 5% of pupils use dedicated school transport because it serves several nearby communities. Families driving should expect typical village pinch points at drop-off and collection, and should plan for safe parking and walking routes where possible.

• Oversubscription reality. The latest admissions data shows 33 applications for 20 offers in the primary entry route, so some families will not secure a place. If you are moving into the area, treat admissions as a risk-managed plan rather than an assumption.

• A high-expectations learning culture. Results indicate that pupils are pushed to achieve well beyond minimum standards, including at greater depth. This suits children who enjoy challenge; some pupils may need additional reassurance if they are more anxious around assessment.

• Outdoor learning is central, including in early years. Pre-School expectations include regular outdoor time in variable weather and a practical approach to clothing and routine. Families who prefer a mostly indoor early years model may find the tone different from some nursery settings.

• Christian character with community links. The school operates within a Christian framework and uses the local church for events such as Key Stage 2 carol concerts. Families should consider how well that aligns with their own preferences and expectations.

Kings Cliffe Endowed Primary School combines a strong academic profile with a structured approach to wellbeing and personal development. The mix of ambitious curriculum planning, clear behaviour expectations, leadership opportunities for pupils, and a credible enrichment programme makes it a compelling option for families who want both attainment and breadth.

Who it suits most is the child who enjoys learning, benefits from clear routines, and will make the most of sport, clubs, trips and responsibilities such as the house system. The key constraint is admissions, places are competitive, so families should plan early and keep realistic alternatives in view.