Cheam Common Junior Academy

Cheam Common Junior Academy sits as a high performing cornerstone of the Worcester Park community, serving 330 pupils aged 7 to 11. As a junior school, it focuses exclusively on Key Stage 2, taking pupils after they complete their infant years. The academy is part of the LEO Academy Trust, a partnership that has significantly influenced its digital first approach to learning.

The 2024-25 / 2025 dataset places Cheam Common Junior Academy in the elite tier of primary schools in England. It currently ranks 32nd out of 14,978 primary schools in England for academic performance and holds the position of the top ranked primary school in Worcester Park on the local overall measure. This exceptional performance is paired with a Good rating from Ofsted following an inspection in February 2024. The school manages to balance intense academic outcomes with a broad, technology rich curriculum where pupils thrive.

The academy presents an atmosphere of calm, focused ambition. While many schools of its age can feel constrained by their mid century architecture, Cheam Common has been revitalised through the LEO Academy Trust’s commitment to modern learning environments. The halls are characterised by a blend of traditional expectations and a forward thinking digital culture where every pupil uses a personal device to enhance their studies.

Miss Sophie Gunner has served as the Principal since 2018, though the school is currently led by Interim Principal Miss N. Kelly. The leadership team emphasises the core values of Pride, Respect, and Success. These values are not merely decorative; they are woven into the daily life of the school. The school operates as a mixed ability environment where high expectations are standard for all.

There is a palpable sense of community, strengthened by the school’s close relationship with Cheam Common Infants. This ensures a seamless transition at age seven, with most pupils moving across to the Junior Academy. The culture is one of mutual respect, where pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and contribute to the wider life of the school.

The academic outcomes at Cheam Common Junior Academy are among the highest in England. In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 90% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined.

Performance at the higher standard is also strong. 40% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics.

The school’s rankings reflect this dominance:

• Ranked 32nd out of 14,978 primary schools in England for academic performance (FindMySchool ranking).
• Ranked 1st among primary schools in Worcester Park on the local overall measure.

These results place the school in the elite tier, within the top 1% of schools in England for academic performance. Scaled scores remain consistently high, with an average of 112 in reading and 114 in mathematics, both well above the expected score baseline of 100.

Teaching at Cheam Common is underpinned by the LEO Academy Trust’s digital strategy. Every pupil in the school has access to a Chromebook, which is used not as a replacement for traditional skills, but as a tool to personalise and deepen learning. This approach has gained the school recognition as a Google Reference School, a title held by only a select group of institutions globally.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, covering the National Curriculum with a particular emphasis on developing the whole child. Specialist teaching is utilised in areas such as Physical Education and Music, ensuring that pupils receive expert instruction beyond the core subjects. The focus on Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS) is particularly effective, with 100% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 70% achieving a high score in the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset.

Science is also a significant strength, with 100% of pupils meeting the expected standard. Teachers use the digital infrastructure to provide immediate feedback, allowing pupils to understand their progress in real time.

The academy offers a range of extracurricular activities that cater to a wide variety of interests. These are designed to foster character and resilience alongside academic success.

• STEM: Innovation and Technology

As a Google Reference School, coding and digital creativity are major pillars. The school runs highly popular Jam Coding and computing clubs where pupils learn to build and programme.

• Physical Education and Sport

The school utilizes its outdoor spaces for a variety of sports, including JD Football, netball, tag rugby, and athletics. Gymnastics sessions run by Gymkidz are also available. Competitive fixtures against other schools in the LEO Academy Trust are a regular highlight.

• Creative and Performing Arts

Music and performance are celebrated, with opportunities for pupils to join the school choir, orchestra, or film club. The school often showcases these talents at Trust wide events and local community festivals.

Wellbeing is integrated into the curriculum rather than treated as an add on. The school follows the high expectations set by the Trust, ensuring that pupils feel safe and happy. Staff support pupils very well, and the recent Ofsted report noted that behaviour is exceptional.

The house system encourages a sense of belonging and healthy competition. Pupils earn points for their houses through good behaviour, academic effort, and participation in school life. This encourages a supportive environment where students are polite and welcoming to visitors. Safeguarding is robust, and inspectors found that pupils thrive in this safe and supportive atmosphere.

As a state academy, admissions are coordinated by Sutton Local Authority. The school has a capacity of 330 pupils, with an admission number of 90 per year group.

Entry is typically at Year 3 (age 7). While there is a strong link with Cheam Common Infants, parents must still apply through the Sutton admissions process. Preference is given to looked after children, those with exceptional medical or social needs, siblings of current pupils, and those attending the linked infant school.

The school is frequently oversubscribed. Families are encouraged to visit during open events, typically held in the autumn term, to understand the school’s unique digital ethos. The closing date for 2026 entry was 15 January 2026. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to gauge their likelihood of entry.

Cheam Common Junior Academy has strong transition links with several local secondary schools. Many students progress to high performing schools in the Sutton and Surrey areas, including Cheam High School, which takes approximately 25% of leavers, and Glenthorne High School.

A significant proportion of students also sit the 11 plus for Sutton’s prestigious grammar schools, such as Nonsuch High School for Girls and The Tiffin Girls' School. The academy’s elite academic results mean that many students are well prepared for these competitive entrance exams. The school provides support during the transition process to ensure that students feel confident moving into Year 7.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:20pm. Cheam Common Junior Academy offers comprehensive wraparound care to support working families. Breakfast Club runs from 7:30am until the start of the school day, and Afterschool Club operates from the end of the school day until 6:00pm.

The school is located in a residential area of Worcester Park. It is within walking distance for many local families, though parking is limited. Worcester Park railway station is approximately a 15 minute walk away, providing links to London Waterloo and Epsom.

• Digital Integration: The school is a leader in digital learning. While this offers incredible opportunities, parents who prefer a more traditional, low tech primary experience may find the heavy reliance on Chromebooks a significant cultural shift.
• Academic Intensity: With results in the top 1% of England for academic performance, the pace of learning is brisk. This suits academically ambitious children but may feel pressured for those who require more time to consolidate core skills.
• Junior School Transition: Because this is a junior school, there is a mandatory transition point at the end of Year 2. While most come from the linked infant school, it is a change of environment that requires careful management for some children.
• Subscription Levels: Being the top ranked school in Worcester Park, competition for places is high. Families should check local authority distance data carefully.

Cheam Common Junior Academy is an academic powerhouse that has successfully embraced the future of education through its digital first strategy. Its results are truly elite, rivaling the best independent and state schools in the country. It is best suited to families who want a high achieving environment where technology is used to empower students. For those within the Worcester Park area seeking the very best in Key Stage 2 outcomes, this school is a clear front runner.