Appleton Primary School, Hull

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades Appleton Primary School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Over time, at the end of key stage 2, pupils have achieved in line with national averages in reading, writing and mathematics tests."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Since the last inspection, leaders have put significant resources into the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Learning to read is a priority in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure the school is inclusive, where the needs of pupils are identified accurately and met."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate high expectations for pupils' learning and achievement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The personal development offer encourages pupils to be reflective and considerate."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Over time, too many pupils have not attended school regularly enough."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders must ensure that strategies to improve pupils' attendance lead to rapid reductions in absence, including persistent absence, for all pupil groups"; "Leaders must ensure that pupils develop deep and sustained knowledge across the personal development programme, including the fundamental British values".

In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at Appleton Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 76% in Kingston upon Hull, City of; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (70% in reading, 76% in maths).

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Appleton Primary School as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Appleton Primary School are Priory Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 83% reading, 72% maths); Croxby Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 83% maths); Bricknell Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 91% reading, 93% maths); and Wold Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 86% reading, 80% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Appleton Primary School.

Appleton Primary School is one of 10 schools run by The Constellation Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 70% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

32 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Appleton Primary School (as of April 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 88% say their child is happy there and 75% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (91%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (63%).

35.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Cottingham Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Skelton Avenue, 200 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 156 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kingston upon Hull, City of (309).

Appleton Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Appleton Primary School are Kelvin Hall School (0.3 miles) and Newland School for Girls (1.1 miles).