Heron Hill Primary School, Kendal

From the headteacher's welcome: "Heron Hill Primary School is a special place where everyone is welcome, learning is fun and memories are made. Primary school is an important time for your child. Not only academically, but also in terms of building character, learning how to nurture positive relationships and exploring talents and interests."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, rugby, cross-country, yoga, judo, dance, choir, Lego and gardening.

The school runs after-school care until 5:30pm.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Heron Hill Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 85% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Westmorland and Furness and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 79% in reading and 74% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 56 families put Heron Hill Primary School as their first choice and 96 named it as one of their preferences, for 56 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Heron Hill Primary School are Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School, Kendal (0.6 miles, 88% reading, 81% maths); Vicarage Park CofE Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 64% reading, 52% maths); Ghyllside Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 86% reading, 83% maths); and Castle Park School (0.9 miles, Good, 81% reading, 72% maths).

Heron Hill Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

7.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 54 pupils (12.9%) received SEN support and 10 (2.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Kendal Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Wray Close (opposite), 310 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Heron Hill Primary School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 8th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 117 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Westmorland and Furness (11), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Heron Hill Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Heron Hill Primary School are Kirkbie Kendal School (0.2 miles) and The Queen Katherine School (1.5 miles).