Shirley Community Primary School
Cambridge, CB4 1TF · Cambridgeshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
126th of 197 primary schools in Cambridgeshire we can score, 210 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.3/10 against 1,625 of them, against 2.8/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Shirley Community Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 303 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 who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific interventions are in place for the 43.0% who did not meet the benchmark? How does the current Good rating from the 2024 inspection reflect recent changes in teaching practice?
What Ofsted said about Shirley Community Primary School
Overview
Shirley Community Primary School is described as a “diverse and inclusive” environment where pupils are happy and develop positive relationships. The report highlights an “ambitious curriculum” with a strong focus on reading and writing, supported by staff who set high expectations for behaviour and learning.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “positive attitudes to learning” and develop independence from an early age, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Reading is “at the centre of the school,” with staff expertise in phonics and well-matched books helping pupils develop accuracy and fluency.
- Staff receive “high-quality training” and routinely check what pupils know, adapting teaching to help them remember important information.
- The school prioritises mental well-being, with staff encouraging pupils to discuss concerns and providing support when needed.
- Governors “hold leaders carefully to account” through regular visits, and staff feel well supported by leaders.
Areas to improve
- Subject leaders must ensure a “more consistent and effective use of data” to monitor and evaluate the curriculum, particularly in less established areas.
- The school needs to clarify the knowledge pupils require to transition between key stages, as learning is “not as secure as it needs to be” in some subjects.
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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 44% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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