The 29 primary schools rated 'outstanding' in Leicester and Leicestershire according to Ofsted

Leicestershire and Leicester have their fair share of schools that have been rated among the very best. There are 29 across the city and county ranked as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors.

Ofsted publishes the results of its inspections, which can help people to decide where they'd like to enrol their children. The quality of teaching and learning, children's behaviour, welfare and personal development, as well as outcomes, are assessed by the watchdog's inspectors.

With a record number of children in Leicestershire offered first choice primary school place this year, LeicestershireLive has put together a list of the highest ranking schools across the city and county as of April 17, 2024. Schools feature in many catchment areas, including Loughborough, Oadby and Leicester.

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In 2012, the government made outstanding schools exempt from inspection, unless there were concerns about the school. The exemption was in place for eight years until 2020. This means that currently, some schools will still have a rating that has been in place for a decade or more.

Abbey Mead Primary Academy

The school, based on Ross Walk, Leicester was rated as outstanding in April 2024. The school caters for three to eleven-year-olds and had 721 children on roll during the inspection.

Inspectors said: "Pupils love attending Abbey Mead Primary Academy. They really appreciate the phenomenal education that this wonderful school provides them. In the early years, children settle quickly and develop a passion for learning. Pupils throughout the school excitedly engage with lessons and enrichment activities. The school’s focus on pupils’ broader personal development prepares them exceptionally well for their next stages in education and their future lives"

Ashfield Academy

Ashfield Academy provides for pupils with physical disabilities. The majority have additional disabilities including moderate and severe learning difficulties, and profound and multiple learning difficulties. The school caters for ages from four to nineteen. The school was rated outstanding at its last inspection in June 2013.

Inspectors said: "Pupils’ progress is checked exceptionally carefully and a detailed termly review is shared with all relevant staff. It forms the basis of target setting and planning for learning for the next term.

"Pupils’ achievement in English is outstanding. This is evident in lessons and in their records of progress. Some pupils are developing skills in line with their mainstream peers, which enables them to study and gain GCSEs in up to five subjects."

Ashby Hill Top Primary School

Ashby Hill Top Primary School on Beaumont Avenue, Ashby-de-la-Zouch was rated outstanding at its last inspection in April 2013. It caters for children aged four to eleven and there were 278 children on roll at the time of inspection.

Inspectors said: Progress is strong from Reception, where children start with skills that are, overall, somewhat below those expected for their ages, and reach attainment that is above average by the time they go into Year one.

“Pupils’ work shows high levels of achievement in other subjects. In science, a strong focus on practical work, as well as many opportunities to use mathematical and literacy skills, enhances learning in all three subjects. Work in history is diverse and wide-ranging, leading to a high level of attainment.”

Ashmount School

Ashmount is a special school for pupils between the ages of four and 19 with a range of special educational needs. The last full Ofsted inspection for this school in Loughborough was last year, in May 2023. Before that, the school's last full inspection was in March 2014, when it was rated as outstanding.

Ofsted said in its report: "Pupils love their education. Staff have a clear ambition and determination that every pupil should benefit from a rich, broad learning experience – and they do.

"Leaders have ensured that there is a total communication approach in school. All staff sign and encourage this in return. This means that verbal pupils can communicate with their non-verbal friends.

Booth Wood Primary School

Booth Wood Primary School caters for children aged between four and 11 and is based on old Ashby Road in Loughborough. the school was upgraded from satisfactory in June 2010 to outstanding in December 2012.

The Ofsted report said: "Pupils make outstanding progress by the time they leave school in Year 6. No one is left behind. Teaching is outstanding. Lessons are interesting, well planned and set at the right level for all pupils. Pupils learn exceptionally well.

Brocks Hill Primary School

The school is located on Howdon Road in Oadby and was rated outstanding in November 2023. It caters for children aged from four to eleven.

The watchdog said: "Pupils get a fantastic deal at Brocks Hill. They receive a high-quality education across the curriculum, and they benefit from an incredibly rich programme of personal development. Pupils are quite rightly very proud of their school and all the wonderful things they know and can do."

Burton-on-the-Wolds Primary School

Located in Barrow Road, Burton-on-the-Wolds, Loughborough, this school caters for primary school children aged from four to eleven. There were 177 pupils on the school roll at the time of inspection.

The school was rated good in September 2013 and outstanding in November 2018. The report said: "Children in the early years make an excellent start to their education. They thrive and are enthusiastic learners. High-quality teaching and learning enable children to develop their skills and understanding, and to achieve well.

"Teaching is extremely well matched to pupils’ abilities. Pupils make very strong progress from their starting points in a range of subjects including reading, writing and mathematics."

Catherine Infant School

The school on Ulverscroft Road, Leicester was rated outstanding at its inspection in November 2019. Prior to that, it was rated good in November 2014. The school caters for children aged from three to seven.

Inspectors said: "This is an exceptional school, where pupils are keen to learn. The majority of pupils speak English as an additional language. Staff make sure that this does not hold them back. Pupils achieve extremely well in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year two.

"Everyone here is ambitious for all pupils. Leaders continually seek to improve what the school offers. Teachers plan a well-organised curriculum which is both enriching and demanding."

Charnwood Primary School

The school, based on Nedham Street, Leicester, was rated as outstanding in March 2009 before converting to an academy. The school caters for three to eleven year olds and had 430 children on roll during the inspection.

Inspectors said: "This is an outstanding school. Its success stems from the exceptional commitment and expertise of all staff, led by an extremely determined headteacher and governors, all of whom want pupils to have the best education possible. Outstanding leadership, inspirational teaching and excellent care, guidance and support arrangements result in pupils having extremely positive attitudes to school and making outstanding progress."

Christ the King Voluntary Academy

The school, based on Glenfield Road, Leicester, was rated as outstanding in November 2014 before converting to an academy. The school caters for four to eleven year olds and had 352 children on roll during the inspection.

The watchdog said: "The headteacher is an exceptional leader. He and his senior leadership team communicate their high expectations extremely effectively. They have secured a clear understanding and acceptance by all staff of the levels of achievement and good behaviour that should be the norm in their school and a recognition that ‘only the best is good enough’.

"This is underpinned by a strong commitment to staff training. Consequently, teaching and achievement have both improved sharply since the last inspection."

Fleckney Church of England Primary School

Fleckney Church of England Primary School on Batchelor Road, in Fleckney, was rated outstanding at its last inspection in March 2012, upgrading its previous inspection of good in January 2009. It caters for children aged from four to eleven and there are 365 children on roll.

Inspectors said: "This is an outstanding school where pupils achieve exceptionally well. It is held in extremely high regard by parents and carers, not just because of pupils' impressive academic achievement, but also for the exceptional standards of care and the well-rounded education it provides for all pupils."

Glenmere Community Primary School

Glenmere Community Primary School on Estoril Avenue, Wigston, was rated outstanding at its last inspection in 2015. Children aged four to ten attend the school.

Inspectors said: "Outstanding leadership at all levels has been effective in making rapid improvements to teaching and pupils’ achievement, and motivating pupils to develop outstanding behaviour and attitudes to learning.

"Pupils are exceptionally happy in school and say that they feel very safe because they trust adults to help them. Staff are trained well to identify any concerns and are very effective in keeping pupils safe."

Highfields Primary School

Before converting to an Academy, Highfields Primary School was rated as outstanding in September 2013. The school caters for three to eleven-year-olds and at the time of inspection had 333 children on roll.

Inspectors said: "The determined headteacher and other senior and subject leaders lead by example. Together, they have been extremely successful in pushing for the highest levels of pupils’ achievement and their personal development since the school’s previous inspection."

Holywell Primary School

This school, on Berkeley Road, Loughborough, was rated outstanding in May 2013. This school is larger than the average primary school, with 419 pupils on the school roll at the time of inspection. It coverted to an academy in November 2012.

The inspectorate reported: "Pupils currently in school are achieving exceedingly well, and their attainment in English and mathematics is up to three terms ahead of what is expected nationally for their age. They have good opportunities to use their literacy and numeracy skills across a range of subjects. They take great pride in their work and are fully aware of how they can improve it further."

Humberstone Junior School

The school is based on Main Street, Humberstone. The school gained its outstanding rating in October 2023. It was also rated outstanding at the previous Ofsted inspection in June 2016. The school caters for children aged from seven to eleven.

Inspectors said: "Pupils make the most of the high-quality teaching they receive across the curriculum. They excel in all subjects. However, it is not just in lessons that pupils get a fantastic deal. The school’s work on personal development is outstanding.

"There is a plethora of wonderful opportunities to broaden pupils’ horizons and help them become well-rounded, healthy, courteous citizens. The school’s work to build pupils’ strength of character is exemplary."

Keyham Lodge School

Keyham Lodge School was rated as outstanding in March 2017. It has now converted into an academy. The school caters for nine to sixteen-year-old children and at the time of inspection had 91 children on roll.

The inspectorate said: "Inspirational leadership from the executive headteacher and director of schools results in a school which is never permitted to stand still. The drive for constant improvement is evident in all of the school’s work. When an inspector asked a pupil about the best aspects of the school, they replied, ‘It’s difficult to pin down the best bits as there are a lot’; inspectors agree."

Kibworth Church of England Primary School

Kibworth Church of England Primary School on Hillcrest Avenue, in Kibworth, was rated outstanding in November 2023. The school caters for children aged from four to eleven and there are 592 children on roll.

Inspectors said: "Each pupil in this school receives the education and wider development that allows them to, as the school would put it, ‘let their light shine’. The school’s Christian values permeate through all the work the school does. This is a school in which pupils flourish. They feel safe and happy."

Lady Jane Grey Primary School

Lady Jane Grey Primary School in Wolsey Close, Groby, caters for children age four to eleven. The school was inspected in March 2015 during which it was rated as outstanding.

The watchdog said: "Pupils’ achievement is outstanding. Pupils make strong progress from their starting points and attain standards that are above average by the end of Year 6.

"The leader responsible for disabled pupils and those with special educational needs ensures that these pupils are provided with high quality support. As a result, they make similar rates of progress to others in the academy.

Pupils’ behaviour is outstanding. Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and are keen to do well."

Meadow View Farm School

Meadow View Farm School is based on Kirkby Road, in Barwell. It caters for children aged from five to eleven and was rated as outstanding at its inspection in June 2023, having also been rated outstanding at its last inspection in February 2019.

Inspectors said: "Pupils are very proud of their school. So are school leaders. They have every reason to be. Pupils speak passionately about how much they love coming to school. Parents and carers say how delighted they are with the school. One comment that is typical of many was, ‘The school is amazing; it has transformed my child… and saved our family."

Millgate School

The special school is based on Scott street, in Leicester. It caters for boys aged seven to sixteen. At the time of the inspection, there were 102 children on roll.

The watchdog said: "Pupils’ learning, safety and welfare are at the heart of Millgate School. Pupils know what ‘transforming lives and inspiring futures’ means for them. They rise to the challenges set for them, producing high-quality work. They know extra help is on hand when they need it. Pupils are proud of their achievements."

Nanpantan Hall Nurture Centre

Nanpantan Hall Nuture Centre is based at The Coach House, Nanpantan Road, Loughborough. It is an independent special school for pupils diagnosed with autism. All the pupils who attend the school have an EHC plan.

The school was previously rated as requires improvement in October 2021 and outstanding in February 2024. Inspectors said: "The success of the school is rooted in strong, stable and reflective leadership. The school’s vision for pupils to be ‘ready for anything’ is grounded in high expectation alongside deeply personalised support. The needs of the pupils come first."

Newcroft Academy

The school, based on Trueway Drive, Shepshed, Loughborough, was rated as outstanding in October 2014 before converting to an academy. The school caters for four to ten year olds and had 210 children on roll during the inspection.

Inspectors said: “The school’s outstanding improvement since the last inspection is due to the exceptionally skilled headteacher, the very effective senior leadership team and to high-quality teaching.

“Teachers have high expectations of all pupils. They use a range of different methods, which capture pupils’ interests and enthusiasm. As a result, all pupils make excellent progress and their achievement is outstanding.”

Parks Primary School

Parks Primary School in New Parks Crescent, Leicester, is a school for pupils aged three to eleven. There were 417 children on the school roll at the time of inspection. The school was previously inspected in October 2009 when it was rated as good. this was upgraded in November 2014 when the school was rated as outstanding.

Inspectors said: "The school’s improvement is due to outstanding leadership and teaching that enable pupils to achieve exceptionally well, whatever their background or ability.

"Leaders at all levels, staff and governors have created a school where pupils are keen to succeed; pupils thrive, enjoy school very much, and their attendance levels are above average."

The Children’s Hospital School

Pupils at this school are aged between two and nineteen. The school is based at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Inspectors noted: "The school goes the extra mile to re-engage pupils successfully in learning. Staff show high levels of understanding and empathy towards pupils’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. One parent reflected the views of other parents and carers when they stated: "My child is thriving here and receives all of the support they need."

The Pastures Primary School

The Pastures Primary School at Thornhills, in Narborough, was rated as outstanding in October 2011. It has now converted into an academy. The school caters for four to eleven-year-old children and at the time of inspection had 278 children on roll.

The inspectorate said: "Narborough The Pastures is an outstanding school that provides its pupils with an excellent education. A key strength is the calm, determined leadership of the headteacher who has secured a focused, common purpose among the staff. As a result, there have been significant improvements in the school’s performance since the previous inspection."

The Pochin School

The Pochin School was inspected in April 2014 during which it was rated as outstanding. Children aged four to eleven attend the school.

Inspectors said: "Pupils make outstanding progress. From very varied starting points they reach standards in English and mathematics by the end of Year six which are well above those found nationally.

"Pupils behave exceptionally well. Pupils from diverse backgrounds mix well with one another making the school a friendly and caring community. Excellent behaviour in lessons allows very effective learning to take place."

Woodhouse Eaves St Paul's Church of England Primary School

Woodhouse Eaves St Paul's Church of England Primary School in Meadow Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, was rated as outstanding in September. It has now converted into an academy. The school caters for four to eleven-year-old children and at the time of inspection had 193 children on roll.

Inspectors said: "This school is an exemplary learning community. Relationships between adults and pupils are built on trust, kindness and respect. The Christian values of the school are at the heart of every decision made. Staff have a strong moral purpose: to get it right for every pupil who attends the school. Their mantra is: ‘Pupils come first.’

"Pupils are known as individuals. They say that the adults in school listen to them. One pupil said, ‘We have a voice; everyone gets their say.’"

Woodland Grange Primary School

Woodland Grange Primary School in Beaufort Way, Oadby, was rated as outstanding in April 2013. It has now converted into an academy. The school caters for four to ten-year-old children and at the time of inspection had 397 children on roll.

The inspectorate said: "Woodland Grange inspires pupils to thrive in all aspects of their academic achievement and personal development. Pupils of all ages are highly motivated, enjoy learning and contribute well in lessons."

Worthington School

This school was rated good in January 2008 and outstanding in February 2013. Children age four to eleven attend the school on Main Street, Worthington, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

The report said: "Consistently high-quality teaching based upon thorough assessment of each pupil’s needs gives the pupils the motivation and determination to achieve their very best.

"Within the warm family atmosphere of the school, the pupils thrive and develop outstanding behaviour and attitudes. They show respect to everyone and know how to stay safe. This is reflected in their above average attendance."