Sponsored by Cornerstone

Presented to the UK Primary School that has made outstanding progress in the management of its facilities, finances and human resources and can demonstrate an increase in the educational performance of the school.

2025 Winner: West Thornton Primary School, London

In February 2020, West Thornton  received an 'Inadequate' rating from Ofsted, leading to its closure and subsequent reopening under the Inspire Partnership Academy Trust. By October 2024, the school's significant transformation saw it achieve 'Outstanding' ratings in Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision, with a 'Good' rating for Quality of Education. Inspectors highlighted the school's ambitious curriculum, exceptional leadership, and the positive impact of the trust's support. This swift turnaround underscores the dedication of staff and leadership to fostering an environment where pupils thrive both academically and personally.

Commended

St Agnes Academy, Cornwall


​In May 2024, St Agnes Academy in Cornwall achieved an 'Outstanding' rating across all categories in its Ofsted inspection, reflecting significant improvements since its previous 'Good' rating in 2018. This highlighted the school's highly effective and ambitious curriculum, particularly in reading and mathematics, where early mastery of letters, sounds, and numbers is emphasised. The enrichment programme extends beyond academics, fostering local, regional, and global citizenship among pupils. The school's inclusive environment ensures that disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are fully integrated into all aspects of school life. 
 

Gilberdyke Primary School, East Yorkshire


A remarkable turnaround at Gilberdyke reflects the dedication of the school's leadership and staff to fostering a nurturing and effective learning environment. The school's commitment to continuous improvement and excellence has been pivotal in achieving an 'Outstanding' rating in all categories during last years'  Ofsted inspection, a significant improvement from its 'Requires Improvement' status in September 2021. Serving approximately 196 pupils aged 3 to 11, Gilberdyke Primary School continues to uphold its mission of enabling every child to thrive and shine.
 

Newington Green Primary School, London

In July 2024, Newington Green Primary School in London achieved an 'Outstanding' rating in all areas during its Ofsted inspection, marking the first time in its 30-year history to receive such a distinction. The inspection highlighted the school's ambitious, broad, and exciting curriculum, which effectively helps pupils build deep knowledge across subjects. Staff demonstrate exceptional subject knowledge, delivering the curriculum with consistency and rigor. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), benefit from a great education that prepares them exceptionally well for their future lives. Consequently, pupils' attainment at the end of Year 6 is significantly above average. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the staff, students, and families, solidifying the school's reputation for excellence.​
 

Stanmore Primary School, Hampshire

Stanmore Primary School in Hampshire has demonstrated commendable progress in recent years. Between 2018 and 2019, the school saw a significant improvement in student attainment. In Reading, the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard increased by 18%, reaching 65%, while those achieving the higher standard rose by 6% to 17%. Writing attainment improved by 14%, with 75% meeting the expected standard, and a 2% increase to 13% achieving the higher standard. Mathematics saw a remarkable 29% rise, with 71% meeting the expected standard, and a 12% increase to 19% achieving the higher standard. These advancements reflect the school's dedication to enhancing educational outcomes and fostering a supportive learning environment. 
 

Medlock Valley Primary School, Greater Manchester

Medlock Valley has demonstrated significant progress in recent years. In February 2024, Ofsted rated the school as 'Good' across all categories, highlighting the positive atmosphere where pupils are happy and respectful towards others. The report commended the school's broad and ambitious curriculum, effective support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the prioritisation of early reading, ensuring pupils receive necessary support to become fluent readers. Additionally, the school has been praised for fostering a happy and supportive environment, contributing to its positive reputation within the community. These accomplishments underscore Medlock Valley Primary School's unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing and effective learning environment for its students.​

2024 Winner: Our Lady and Saint Benedict Catholic Academy

Strong relationships between pupils, their families and staff have helped Our Lady and St Benedict Catholic Academy, part of The Newman Catholic Collegiate, to move from Requires Improvement in 2019 to Outstanding in its latest Ofsted inspection last November. Led by headteacher Sarah Clowes, the rapid progress has been attributed in part to prioritising reading, with pupils able to use vocabulary with precision and great confidence. Opportunities to benefit from outdoor learning are provided to all pupils, including those with SEND.

Commended

Great Bentley Primary School, Essex
Christ Church Primary School, London
St Giles Church of England Primary School, Shropshire
Kirton Primary School, Lincolnshire
High Street Primary Academy, Shropshire

2023 Winner: Christopher Hatton Primary School

A well-devised curriculum delivered by passionate teachers and a wide range of high-quality enrichment are among many reasons ‘Hattoneers’ continue to receive an outstanding education. Announcing her retirement earlier this year, head Gwen Lee will leave the school in an extremely strong position.

Commended
Kirton Primary School, Lincolnshire
St Luke's Church of England Primary School, London
Addingham Primary School, Bradford
Thornbury Leadership Academy, Bradford
Croftway Academy, Northumberland

2022 Winner
St Francis Catholic and Church of England Primary Academy, Isle of Wight

Commended
Withinfields Primary School, Halifax
Salfords Primary School, Surrey
Chesterton Primary, Staffordshire
De Beauvoir Primary School, London

2021 Winner
Eldersfield Lawn CofE Primary School, Gloucestershire

With just over one hundred children or roll, Eldersfield puts a range of experience based learning opportunities to good use in order to meet the needs of pupils. It has adopted the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as a key curriculum driver, which gives a real context to the children’s learning and will enable them to make informed decisions as they move through life. After school clubs cover a range of sports and physical activities ads well as helping pupils with real-life experiences. 100% of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Commended
Hogsthorpe Primary Academy, Lincolnshire
Great Tew County Primary School, Oxfordshire
Ashurst CofE Primary School, West Sussex 
Carsington and Hopton Primary School, Derbyshire

2020 Winner
Perry Court E-ACT Academy, Bristol

In 2017, Perry Court was the worst performing school in Bristol and placed in the bottom 1% of the country’s primary schools. A dramatic turnaround now sees Perry Court ranked in the top 1% of schools nationally for both attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics, a particularly impressive achievement given that half of all pupils at the academy are from disadvantaged backgrounds. A new academy building costing over £9m is scheduled for completion in May 2022 and will provide a further 630 primary places.

Commended

New Park Primary Academy, North Yorkshire
Stowting Church of England Primary, Kent
Clore Shalom Primary, Herfordshire
Elaine Primary, Kent

2019 Winner
Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane, Wakefield

Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane converted in December 2012 after two consecutive Ofsted inspections rated the former school as ‘Requires Improvement’. A two-day inspection in April 2019 found the Academy Outstanding in all five areas. Leaders at the school are said to be ‘uncompromising in their determination to continually improve pupils’ outcomes.’

Commended

Kirton Primary School, Lincolnshire
Investments in the curriculum and staff training have helped to transform outcomes at Kirton Primary. From failing to meet floor standards in 2014, the school is now in the top three per cent of schools in England for progress and in the top one per cent for progress for disadvantaged children. In 2018, academic progress placed the school 105th out of 14,749 primary schools in England.

Heatherbrook Primary Academy, Leicester
Re-opening in 2017 after the Learning without Limits Academy Trust took over the former primary school, a dramatic improvement in results has taken place at Heatherbrook. The Raising Aspirations programme aims to reduce cultural deficits which exist in schools with high levels of deprivation, by giving pupils chances to experience new opportunities in the curriculum.

Queen’s Park Primary School, London
Queen’s Park takes a creative approach to curriculum design, along with a focus on wellbeing and mental health. Investments in staff training have allowed the school to take on roles such as a school counselling service, coaching and mentoring and pastoral leadership. This has given parents and carers an opportunity to deliver shared support.

St Bede’s RC Primary School, Teesside
Excellent performance by year 6 pupils in the new key stage 2 Sats last year propelled St Bede’s from 24th in last year’s Sunday Times Parent Power table to joint fourth this year. With an outstanding rating from Ofsted, the Catholic voluntary academy has also received praised for its close work with parents and the wider community.

St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, Yorkshire
St Wilfrid’s was placed in the top 10 per cent of all schools nationally having maintained pupil’s attainment at both expected and higher standards at Key Stage 2 in reading, writing and maths. Head of School Delia Evans has led on making significant improvements to teaching and learning and is working with the senior team to develop a strong curriculum model.

2018 Winner
Ernesettle Community School

For the last three academic years, attainment figures put Ernesettle Community School in the top 1000 schools nationally overall and the top 100 schools for disadvantaged pupils’. Extended Schools provision, subsidised educational trips and the continued appointment of a Family Support Advisor all help to improve the life chances of its pupils.

Commended

Deighton Primary School, Gwent
Stalham Academy, Norfolk
Surrey Square Primary School, London
Queen's Park Primary School, London
Parklands Primary School, Leeds

2017 Winner
Woodside Primary Academy, London

Woodside was put into special measures by Ofsted in 2012, but changes made under headteacher Shane Tewes involved parents and pupils, and a remarkable turnaround now sees the school rated Outstanding. In 2015, the school was in the top one per cent of schools in the country for the rate of pupil progress.

Commended

Crosthwaite Church of England Primary School
Ravens Academy
Ridgeway Primary Academy, Tyne & Wear
Barnsole Primary School, Kent
The Brent Primary School, Kent

2016 Winner
Moreland Primary School, London

Moreland Primary School has beaten off criticism by the inspectorate from 2013 which saw the school gain a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating, to achieve it’s first ever ‘Good’ rating. The school was particularly praised for producing ‘exciting lessons’ and pupils achieving well. The school now moves to a new building on the same sight with an exciting future in store.

Commended

Ark Bentworth Primary Academy, London
Burton Primary, Dorset
Cotsford Junior School, Durham
Harris Primary Academy, Kent 

2015 Winner
Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park, London

Since the Harris Federation took over Colraine Park Primary in 2012, the Tottenham school’s journey has taken a path from special measures to ‘Outstanding’ in just two years. The DfE rated it as the top sponsored primary Academy in the country for progress made by pupils between the ages of 7 and 11.

Commended

Eversely Primary School, London
Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, Middlesex
Wolverton Primary School, Warwick
Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School, London