Cromwell Academy, Huntingdon

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Cromwell Academy on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Levels of attendance are in line with national averages and improving."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years follow a well-designed curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that staff receive clear, accurate and up-to-date information about the pupils they teach."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The school has managed very well the recent changes in leadership at school and trust level."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils follow a well-designed and considered personal development programme."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils who have lower starting points or who have special educational needs and/or disabilities do not have gaps in knowledge filled or misconceptions addressed as quickly as they should."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders make sure staff know the specific needs of pupils in their class, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or with other barriers to learning."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that teachers across the school know how to design and adapt learning activities that precisely meet the needs of pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). • Leaders should ensure that pupils with SEND across the school make suitable progress through the curriculum from their starting points. • The school should continue to ensure that older pupils develop consistent self-discipline during unstructured times. • Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years consistently tailor pedagogical approaches to sustain children's engagement in meaningful learning activities".

In its own words: "At Cromwell Academy we have a highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed team of staff and governors who are keen to work together with parents and carers to provide the very best education for all of our children, whilst ensuring they remain safe and happy."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to be the Headteacher of such a vibrant, enthusiastic and motivated community of pupils, staff and families. At Cromwell Academy, we are proud to welcome every visitor and to share the energy, ambition and warmth that define our school."

The school runs after-school care until 4:15pm.

In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at Cromwell Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in Cambridgeshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 84% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Cromwell Academy as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 18 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 Cromwell Academy are Stukeley Meadows Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 72% reading, 57% maths); Huntingdon Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 74% reading, 67% maths); St John's CofE Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 72% reading, 76% maths); and Brampton Village Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 76% reading, 67% maths).

Cromwell Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Cromwell Academy is one of 17 schools run by The Cam Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 56% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

37 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cromwell Academy (as of April 2026): 89% would recommend the school, 87% say their child is happy there and 63% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (63%).

16.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 25.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (46%), Asian (18%) and Mixed (14%).

In 2026, 39 pupils (16.7%) received SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Huntingdon Rail Station, about 1130 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hinchingbrooke Hospital (outside), 190 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Cromwell Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 123 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cambridgeshire (57), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Cromwell Academy issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cromwell Academy are Hinchingbrooke School (0.4 miles) and St Peter's School (0.9 miles).