Salisbury Road Primary School Review 2026, high-performing Plymouth primary with strong early years and behaviour

A big-city primary that pairs calm routines with ambitious learning, Salisbury Road Primary School stands out for two things parents notice quickly, high expectations for behaviour, and a deliberate focus on language and reading. The latest Ofsted inspection in September 2023 judged the school Good overall, with Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes and Outstanding for early years provision.

The leadership model is clear. Mrs Ciara Moran has been Executive Headteacher since January 2017, with the Head of School role held by Emma Benton.

On outcomes, the data points to a strong key stage 2 profile. In 2024, 77.67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 31.67% reached the higher bar, well above the England average of 8%. These results sit comfortably above England average, placing the school within the top 25% of primaries in England (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data).

Admission is competitive. The most recent entry-route dataset shows around three applications per place, so families should treat this as an oversubscribed option rather than a guaranteed local fallback.

Salisbury Road’s stated mission is plain and inclusive, every person matters, and every person belongs. That line is reinforced by a values programme that runs term-by-term (Happiness, Respect, Aspiration, Responsibility, Unity, Courage), with simple, child-facing questions designed to keep the language of character consistent across year groups.

The school community is described as diverse, and diversity is treated as curriculum content rather than a poster. Pupils learn about religions and traditions through one another and through parent visitors, which supports a day-to-day culture where difference is normalised and discussed.

Behaviour is a defining feature. Expectations are shared across adults, and pupils understand what “respectful” looks like in practice. Consistency matters here, not only for the children who arrive ready to learn, but also for pupils who need help regulating behaviour, where the support approach is described as effective rather than punitive.

There is also an unusually strong early years identity for a state primary. Reception is positioned as the launch point for the whole school, with play and structured learning running alongside each other, and routines taught explicitly so children settle fast and feel confident.

The headline key stage 2 story is secure. In 2024, 77.67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. Science is similarly strong, with 77% reaching the expected standard, against an England benchmark of 82% for science specifically.

Scaled scores reinforce the same picture. Reading averaged 107, mathematics 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) 108. A combined score across reading, mathematics and GPS totals 322, which is well above the standardised national mid-point.

At the higher standard, 31.67% achieved the higher bar in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with the England average of 8%. For families with high-attaining children, that gap matters, it suggests the school is not only getting most pupils to expected, but also pushing a sizeable group beyond it.

Rankings reflect these outcomes. Salisbury Road Primary School is ranked 2,978th in England and 10th in Plymouth for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data), placing it above England average and within the top 25% of primaries in England.

The curriculum is described as knowledge-rich and rooted in the local context, using Plymouth and its surrounding history as an anchor so that pupils learn content that feels relevant while also widening horizons.

Early reading is a core mechanism, not a bolt-on. Phonics begins immediately in Reception and is then bridged deliberately into whole-class reading, which is important because many schools do phonics well but lose momentum when children transition into longer texts. Here, the bridging programme is meant to ensure children move to more complex reading at the right point, supported by timely assessment for pupils who join mid-year.

Language development sits underneath everything. Pupils are taught subject-specific vocabulary so they can explain ideas precisely in writing and speech. That has a practical payoff, richer vocabulary supports comprehension and reduces the gap between “knowing something” and being able to show that knowledge in a test or an extended piece of writing.

In early years, the approach is openly play-based while still systematic. The Foundation page describes learning through play and creativity, alongside structured phonics (Read Write Inc) and explicit number knowledge work around 1 to 10, with oracy built in.

As a Plymouth primary, transition is largely shaped by the city’s coordinated admissions process for secondary. Salisbury Road provides a practical guide for families, including the typical application window for September 2026 secondary entry (applications opening in early September 2025 and closing at the end of October 2025).

What it does not publish is a named list of “main destination” secondary schools for leavers. In practice, families tend to apply across a mix of local non-selective secondaries, faith schools where relevant, and selective pathways if they are pursuing entrance tests. The sensible approach is to use Year 5 and early Year 6 to visit likely secondaries, read oversubscription criteria carefully, and plan transport realistically for the routes your child could end up taking.

For children who thrive on structure, Salisbury Road’s calm routines and language-heavy teaching can make the Year 7 jump easier. The skills that travel well are reading stamina, vocabulary, and the ability to explain thinking clearly in writing.

For Reception entry, applications are made through Plymouth City Council rather than directly to the school, with Learning Academies Trust as the admissions authority for the policy and oversubscription criteria.

The local authority’s timeline for September 2026 primary entry is clear. Applications open Monday 17 November 2025 and close Thursday 15 January 2026, with national offer day Thursday 16 April 2026. Families then confirm acceptance by Thursday 23 April 2026.

Salisbury Road’s published oversubscription criteria include looked-after and previously looked-after children, exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and specific categories relating to nursery attendance, pupil premium type funding, and children of staff in defined circumstances. (Some criteria reflect a trust-wide structure, so families should read the current policy carefully to understand how each category is applied at this site.)

Demand data indicates pressure. The latest entry-route dataset shows 120 applications for 40 offers, which is about three applications per place. This does not mean every year group runs at that ratio, but it does signal that families should take application strategy seriously, including having realistic second and third preferences.

To sanity-check your plan, it helps to use FindMySchoolMap Search to understand the practical geography around your likely route, especially if distance becomes a tie-break in oversubscription. Policies tend to be precise, and small differences in distance can matter.

Salisbury Road places a lot of weight on routines and consistency, which is often the most effective form of pastoral support for primary-age pupils. When behaviour is predictable, children spend less energy working out boundaries and more energy learning. The school describes its behaviour management as consistent and fair, and pupils are said to feel safe and listened to. The same inspection confirmed safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Inclusion is a significant theme. Pupils with English as an additional language are present in above-average numbers, and the school describes itself as increasingly diverse, with the curriculum used explicitly to build understanding and empathy.

A useful nuance for parents of children with additional needs is the identified improvement area around special educational needs plans. The message is not that support is absent, but that some targets have been too broad, making it harder for teaching to close specific gaps precisely. For families already navigating SEND, that is a sensible discussion point to raise at a visit, especially around how targets are written, reviewed, and translated into daily classroom strategies.

Extracurricular life is structured and, importantly, popular enough that the school manages allocations. Clubs are offered at lunchtime and after school, and the school notes that places may not always be available first time due to demand, with reserve lists used.

The current club timetable highlights named activities rather than generic labels. Examples include Musical Theatre for Years 3 to 6, Choir for Years 3 to 6, and Social Games at lunchtime for Year 5. These choices tell you something about the balance Salisbury Road aims for, performance and music on one side, social play and structured games on the other.

Sport also has a visible profile across the year, with the website signposting inter-school activities and events across seasons, including indoor athletics and rowing. Even without detailed write-ups for every event, the breadth indicates that pupils can represent the school beyond the standard PE lesson, which tends to help confidence and belonging, particularly for children who shine outside formal classroom tasks.

In early years, enrichment is kept age-appropriate. Foundation teaching is framed around play, exploration, and building curiosity, with literacy and number work embedded in practical routines.

The school day runs from 8.50am to 3.15pm, with doors opening from 8.40am to ease drop-off congestion. Total weekly time in school is stated as 32 hours and 35 minutes.

Wraparound care is clearly defined. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am to 8.45am and costs £3.00 per morning. After School Club runs from 3.15pm to 4.30pm (£4.00 for the first sibling) or to 5.45pm (£6.50 for the first sibling), with reduced rates for additional siblings.

For travel, the school’s urban Plymouth setting means routines often include walking and short local journeys. Families should check parking, any one-way restrictions, and the safest walking routes at the times you will actually travel, especially if you have children in more than one year group with different pick-up points.

• Competition for places. With around three applications per place in the latest entry-route dataset, admission is the hurdle rather than the education itself. Plan realistic preferences and read the oversubscription criteria carefully.

• SEND precision. Support is in place, but the most recent inspection identified that some SEND targets have been too broad, which can reduce the precision of classroom adaptations. Families with children on the SEND pathway should ask how targets are written and reviewed.

• High mobility context. In 2022 to 2023, the school recorded 72 pupils joining during the year. That level of movement can be handled well in strong schools, but it does shape classroom dynamics and induction processes.

• Clubs can be oversubscribed too. The school is explicit that not every child will secure a first-choice club place each term, with reserve lists used. If extracurricular access is a priority, ask how allocations work.

Salisbury Road Primary School combines strong key stage 2 outcomes with a clear behavioural culture and a Reception offer that is treated as a serious strength. It suits families who want structured routines, a language-rich curriculum, and plenty of opportunity for children to join clubs and represent the school. Entry remains the main challenge, so shortlisting works best when paired with a realistic admissions plan and sensible backup preferences.