Excalibur Primary School Review 2026, high-performing primary with strong wellbeing systems

A primary that combines strong attainment with an unusually explicit focus on belonging and behaviour. In the most recent Key Stage 2 results, 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, well above the England average of 62%. The school also sits above England averages in reading and maths scaled scores, and in science.

The latest Ofsted inspection (11 and 12 October 2023) judged the school Good overall, with Outstanding judgements for Behaviour and attitudes and for Early years provision.

Leadership is stable. Mrs Juliet Jones is the headteacher, and the school forms part of Chancery Multi Academy Trust.

For families, the headline is that this is a competitive local option. Reception demand data indicates 84 applications for 30 offers in the latest cycle provided, which equates to 2.8 applications per place.

The school’s stated direction is summed up in its strapline, Nurturing Individual Excellence, which shows up repeatedly across curriculum and pastoral messaging.

Daily routines appear tightly organised, which matters in a school of this size. The published school day runs from doors opening at 8.50am to a 3.20pm finish, with clear staggered break and lunchtime arrangements between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. This kind of operational clarity tends to correlate with calm corridors and predictable expectations for pupils.

The personal development offer is also unusually structured for a mainstream primary. The No Outsiders programme is used to teach respect and acceptance of difference through books and age-appropriate discussion, anchored to the Equality Act 2010 and British values. Alongside that sits a well-defined anti-bullying model, based on KiVa, with separate prevention, intervention and monitoring strands.

There is also targeted pastoral input. A weekly Nurture Group has been established since January 2011, with a maximum of six children at any one time, which signals a deliberate small-group approach rather than generic wellbeing slogans.

The results profile is one of the clearer strengths here, and the detail matters.

Key Stage 2 expected standard (reading, writing and maths combined)

83% met the expected standard. The England average is 62%, so Excalibur is operating well above the national benchmark on the combined measure.

Higher standard

25% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the England average of 8%. That gap is large enough to suggest the school is not only getting most pupils to the expected level, but also stretching a meaningful group beyond it.

Scaled scores

reading is 106 and maths is 108. Scaled scores are most useful as a stability marker, and these sit comfortably above the national midpoint of 100.

Subject breakdown

• Reading expected standard is 81%, with 25% at a high score.

• Maths expected standard is 84%, with 44% at a high score.

• GPS (grammar, punctuation, spelling) shows an average scaled score of 108, with 75% reaching the expected standard and 41% achieving a high score.

• Science expected standard is 88%, compared with an England average of 82%.

On the FindMySchool proprietary ranking for primary outcomes (based on official data), Excalibur is ranked 2,891st in England and 18th in Stoke-on-Trent, placing it above the England average and comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England by this measure.

What this means in practice is that families are looking at a school that does not rely on one “good year”. The attainment profile shows strength across core areas, and the higher-standard figure indicates depth rather than a narrow push over the pass threshold.

Early reading is clearly systematised. The school states it uses Read, Write, Inc. Phonics in Reception through Year 2, with an explicit aim of accuracy, confidence, and enjoyment of reading. This sort of consistent scheme can reduce variation between classes, which matters for children who need repetition and for those who move schools mid-phase.

Across the curriculum, the school’s published curriculum framework emphasises secure knowledge, vocabulary and cultural capital, including explicit mention of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND being prepared for the next stage. For parents, the useful takeaway is that the curriculum intent is written with inclusion in mind, rather than treated as an add-on.

Where the school adds richness is in the “literacy culture” layer. For example, World Book Day activity has included an author visit and writing workshops with children’s author Simon Adepetun, combined with buddy reading and class-based creative tasks. That is a concrete indicator of reading being treated as lived culture, not just a phonics programme.

As a primary, the key transition point is Year 6 to Year 7. The most valuable markers for families are the strength of core literacy and maths, and the social preparation for a larger setting.

The school’s personal development architecture, including No Outsiders, leadership roles for pupils, and explicit behaviour expectations, should translate well to secondary transition. The aim is not simply academic readiness, but confidence in speaking up, navigating peer relationships, and managing routines.

For families thinking ahead, it is still worth checking the local secondary landscape early, particularly transport time and admissions routes. In Cheshire East, secondary admissions are coordinated by the local authority, and timelines can feel early compared with what parents expect.

Reception admissions are coordinated through the family’s home local authority, and the school publishes a clear timeline for September 2026 entry. The application window opens on 1 September 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026. The published admission number (PAN) is 30.

Demand is a meaningful factor. The latest figures provided indicate 84 applications for 30 offers, which is 2.8 applications per place. In plain terms, that is the difference between a school that fills and a school where not all first-choice preferences can be met.

If you are moving into the area, the practical step is to read the current admissions policy and then use tools such as FindMySchool’s Map Search to understand your likely priority position relative to other applicants. Even without published distance cut-offs, being realistic about local demand helps avoid disappointment.

Wellbeing here looks operational rather than performative. The KiVa approach gives staff a shared language and process when bullying concerns arise. The No Outsiders curriculum provides a structured way to teach respectful disagreement and acceptance of difference, which can reduce low-level issues that otherwise accumulate in primary settings.

For children who need extra support, the weekly Nurture Group is a practical mechanism for building social and emotional skills in a small setting, with a capped group size. SEND leadership is also named clearly, which is helpful for parents who want to understand who coordinates support.

Extracurricular provision is unusually specific and timetabled. The published after-school clubs list includes, for example, Computing with Computer Xplorers, Art with Creation Station, Racket Skills, Cricket and Tennis, and a Choir option, with sessions running after school across multiple year groups. This is helpful for working parents because it signals predictable weekly structure rather than occasional enrichment.

Sport also looks like an established strength. The school reports recognition for the School Games Platinum Award, plus competitive success in local partnership sport and county-level basketball. For pupils, that can mean more frequent fixtures and clearer pathways from clubs into competition.

Music is present at different ages. The school also references structured early-years music activity, such as Rhythm Time sessions in pre-school, which is a useful signal for families who value early exposure to rhythm and listening skills.

The school day runs from 8.50am (doors open) to 3.20pm, with registration at 9.00am. For families who need wraparound care, the Out of Hours club, Treetops, offers a Breakfast Club (7.30am to 9.00am) and after-school sessions, including a longer option through to 6.00pm, plus a holiday club day session. Fees are published per session.

On travel, the school encourages walking where possible, provides bike racks, and asks families who drive to park considerately.

• Competition for Reception places. With 2.8 applications per place in the latest available data, many families will not secure a place on preference alone.

• Wraparound costs add up. Breakfast and after-school provision is available, but it is priced per session, so weekly usage can become a meaningful budget line for working households.

• A values-led culture can feel explicit. Programmes such as No Outsiders and KiVa suit most families well, but parents should ensure they are comfortable with structured discussion of difference, relationships and behaviour expectations across the curriculum.

• Early years footprint may matter. The school’s published materials reference pre-school activity and early years provision. Families should clarify entry points and continuity if they are considering joining before Reception.

Excalibur Primary School is a high-performing mainstream primary with a clear behaviour and belonging architecture, backed by strong Key Stage 2 outcomes and an unusually concrete extracurricular timetable. It suits families who value strong attainment, predictable routines, and explicit work on relationships and respect. The main constraint is admission, demand exceeds places, so families should plan early and use precise local checks when setting expectations.