Hambleton Primary Academy Review 2026: High-achieving village primary with an outdoor learning edge

Strong outcomes and a confident, purposeful culture are the headline here. Hambleton Primary Academy sits in a small village setting near Poulton-le-Fylde, with a curriculum that puts literacy, numeracy and wider experiences on an ambitious footing. The most recent published Key Stage 2 data shows exceptionally high attainment across reading, writing and mathematics, backed by scaled scores that sit well above typical benchmarks. Entry is competitive for Reception, and applications run through Lancashire’s co-ordinated process, with distance used as the final tie-break after higher priority criteria.

The school also offers nursery provision, and wraparound care through Acorns for children from nursery age through to Year 6.

This is a school that sets expectations early and sustains them. Pupils are expected to be respectful, responsible and ready to learn, and the language of self-management and resilience is baked into everyday routines. The latest inspection evidence aligns with that impression, describing a calm, purposeful environment with pupils who are confident in school systems and take responsibility for their actions.

Leadership has been stable for a sustained period. Mrs Holly Wood is listed as headteacher, with an appointment date of 14 July 2016, and the wider structure sits within Fylde Coast Academy Trust.

For families with younger children, nursery sits within the wider school offer, with published session times and a clear reminder that nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

The 2024 Key Stage 2 picture is extremely strong. In reading, 100% reached the expected standard; in mathematics 90% reached the expected standard; and across reading, writing and mathematics combined, 93.33% reached the expected standard. At the higher standard, 46.33% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, far above the England average of 8% for greater depth or higher standard on the combined measure.

Scaled scores reinforce the same story. Average reading is 112, mathematics 107, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 110. These figures are notably above the typical national reference point of 100 for scaled scores, and they sit alongside high proportions achieving high scores, including 73% in reading and 60% in grammar, punctuation and spelling.

In FindMySchool’s rankings (based on official outcomes data), Hambleton Primary Academy is ranked 553rd in England and 3rd in the Poulton-le-Fylde area for primary outcomes. That places it well above England average, within the top 10% of primary schools in England. Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub pages and the Comparison Tool to view these outcomes alongside other nearby primaries, using the same dataset and methodology.

Teaching is planned to build deep knowledge over time, rather than relying on last-minute Year 6 intensity. The latest inspection describes a broad, ambitious curriculum with staff who know precisely what pupils should learn and when, and who check understanding carefully so gaps are addressed early. One practical implication for families is that pupils who are secure at the basics tend to be stretched, while pupils who need extra help are identified quickly and supported without being separated from the wider curriculum.

Outdoor learning is not treated as a one-off enrichment day. Forest School is built into the school’s wider approach, including access to woodland areas at breaks and lunchtimes, and planned Forest School sessions. The published overview describes a dedicated site behind the Early Years outdoor area, with a Forest School Shed and a Dead Wood Ring, and a stated adult-to-child ratio of 1:6 for sessions.

Digital learning also has a visible place in the school’s stated direction, including an emphasis on children building confidence with online safety and practical digital literacy as they move through the school.

As a primary school, the key transition point is Year 6 into secondary education. The school’s strong academic outcomes generally translate well into a wide set of next-step options, particularly for families prioritising a traditional academic pathway. The latest inspection explicitly notes that pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next steps in education, which matters in practice because it speaks to both academic readiness and the personal development needed for the move to a larger setting.

For families planning ahead, it is worth treating secondary planning as a Year 5 to Year 6 project rather than a spring term scramble. In Lancashire, secondary applications are co-ordinated, and the set of realistic options can shift depending on distance, transport, and each school’s admissions criteria. Where a child has additional needs, a good Year 6 transition plan typically includes early contact with the receiving school and clear information sharing, so support continues smoothly.

Reception entry is the main pressure point. The school’s published admission number for 2026 to 2027 is 30, and applications for September 2026 Reception places run from 8 September 2025 to 15 January 2026 through the Local Authority’s common application process. The national offer date stated in the admissions arrangements is 16 April 2026.

Oversubscription criteria follow the familiar structure for many academies in Lancashire: looked-after and previously looked-after children first, then exceptional medical or social reasons (with professional evidence), then siblings, then children of staff meeting the defined criteria, and finally distance as the tie-break. The policy specifies that distance is measured as a straight line using the Local Authority’s geographical information system.

The demand data indicates this is not a school where places are routinely available. In the most recent admissions snapshot provided, there were 42 applications for 21 offers, which equates to roughly two applications for every place offered. For families considering Reception in 2026, the practical step is to map your likely distance and treat the school as a competitive option rather than an assumption. FindMySchoolMap Search can help families check their precise distance against the distance-based allocation logic used when the year group is oversubscribed.

Nursery admissions sit outside the Reception admissions policy, and the published arrangements state clearly that nursery attendance does not guarantee admission to the academy for primary education.

Wellbeing here is closely tied to consistent routines and explicit behaviour expectations. The most recent inspection evidence describes pupils who know what is expected, behave exceptionally well, and are taught strategies to manage behaviour when they struggle, including use of a dedicated “zen den” space. The practical implication is that this tends to suit children who respond well to structure, clear boundaries and a strong sense of responsibility in the pupil culture.

Safeguarding is also addressed clearly in the most recent formal evidence base. The report states that safeguarding arrangements are effective, which is the baseline parents should expect, and it is particularly relevant for younger pupils and nursery-aged children in a setting that spans ages 3 to 11.

Extracurricular activity is treated as part of the school’s wider development model, not a bolt-on. The school’s extra-curricular policy describes clubs that vary by term, with activities running after school Tuesday to Thursday, and explicitly references Choir as an example of a lunchtime activity. It also notes that provision includes school staff, a named partner provider (Fleetwood Town), and other external providers, with safeguarding checks expected of providers.

Outdoor learning is the other distinctive pillar. Forest School is described as a structured programme with clear routines, a defined session time, and dedicated equipment and space. For children who learn well through hands-on exploration, this can be a meaningful complement to the school’s high academic expectations. For children who are more cautious, the same programme can support confidence and measured risk management, because it explicitly frames the outdoors as a learning space with agreed boundaries and adult oversight.

The school’s community support also shows up in practical improvements. The Friends of Hambleton Primary Academy (PTFA) notes that fundraising in 2024 helped improve the school library with new books and supported safer drop-off by purchasing traffic bollards for no-parking areas near the gates. For parents, this signals an engaged parent body and a willingness to fund practical, pupil-facing improvements.

The school working day is stated as 8.45am to 3.15pm, equating to 32.5 hours per week. Nursery sessions are published separately, with doors opening at 8.35am and session options spanning 9.00am to 12.00pm and 12.00pm to 3.00pm.

Wraparound care is available through Acorns, described as an Ofsted-registered breakfast and after school club for children from 3 years old (pre-school only) up to Year 6, held in the Virgin Mary Church Hall next to the school, with use of the school’s outdoor spaces.

• Competitive entry for Reception. The school’s published admission number is 30 for 2026 to 2027, and admissions data indicates oversubscription. Families should plan on distance being decisive once higher priority criteria are applied.

• Nursery is not a guaranteed route into Reception. The published admissions arrangements state that nursery attendance does not guarantee admission to primary education at the academy. This matters for families hoping for an automatic progression.

• High attainment can bring pressure. With outcomes at the end of Key Stage 2 far above England averages, the peer group and expectations can feel demanding for some children. Families should consider how their child responds to challenge and performance focus.

• Outdoor learning is meaningful, but not every child loves it. Forest School includes woodland access and structured sessions with a defined adult ratio. Children who prefer predictable indoor routines may need time to settle into this aspect of school life.

Hambleton Primary Academy is a high-performing primary where academic outcomes and pupil culture are aligned, with clear behaviour expectations and strong evidence of curriculum quality. The outdoor learning strand adds a distinctive practical dimension, and wraparound care is a clear plus for working families. Best suited to families who want a structured, ambitious primary education, and who are comfortable with a competitive admissions context and high peer-group expectations.