Bursley Academy
Newcastle, ST5 8JQ · Staffordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
183rd of 217 primary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 310 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,063 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.8/10 among them, against 4.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bursley Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. The school was rated Requires improvement in March 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.8 out of 10 among them, against 4.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in boccia, indoor kurling, archery, multi-skills, and fishing. Trips include Laches Wood Residential, the Jill Clewes Academy Christmas Show, the Regent Theatre Cinderella Pantomime, a Lego trip to NSCG, a Titanic Workshop, the Potteries Museum, Trentham Gardens pond dipping, and Brampton Museum. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 400 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to reach the higher standard in maths? What specific actions are being taken to address the Requires improvement rating? How does the curriculum integrate the outdoor activities like archery and fishing?
What Ofsted said about Bursley Academy
Overview
Bursley Academy is described as having a tangible "family feel" with "caring relationships" between staff and pupils, who are "friendly, cheerful and well mannered." While behaviour, personal development, and early years provision are rated Good, the overall quality of education requires improvement due to inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and assessment.
Strengths
- Early years provision is strong, with children thriving in a "language-rich environment" where staff build on prior knowledge.
- Pupils benefit from a "strong level of pastoral care" and enjoy a "relaxed atmosphere," resulting in high attendance and positive parental feedback.
- Staff possess "secure subject knowledge" and model subject-specific language accurately, fostering a love of reading through high-quality texts.
- Leaders and governors are actively seeking ways to improve, with staff appreciating support for their work-life balance.
Areas to improve
- The writing curriculum needs further development to ensure pupils apply spelling, punctuation, and grammar in "sustained pieces of writing."
- The school must use formative assessment more effectively to ensure learning activities are appropriately matched to pupil needs, preventing work from being "too easy" or "too difficult."
- Curriculum leaders need to make effective checks on teaching quality across all subjects to identify inconsistencies and ensure pupils take pride in their work, improving variable standards of handwriting and presentation.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 51% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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