Hesters Way Primary School, Cheltenham
Hesters Way Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Cheltenham. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2021. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 31st-highest of the 40 schools in Cheltenham with published results, and 10,359th of 14,452 across England. It was 88% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2021)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Gloucestershire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Hesters Way Primary School in detail
Hesters Way Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Our Vision is for everyone to ‘Aspire, Believe, Care and Achieve’, as we: Theses core values are at the heart of all that we do and how we behave. They are values that are used throughout personal development, learning and life. They are the driving force of our Vision and Mission."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Hesters Way Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 75% in Gloucestershire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (67% in reading, 73% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Hesters Way Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 18 families put Hesters Way Primary School as their first choice and 36 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Hesters Way Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Hesters Way Primary School are Springbank Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 78% reading, 77% maths); Rowanfield Infant School (0.5 miles, Good); Rowanfield Junior School (0.5 miles, Good, 76% reading, 75% maths); and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, 43% reading, 40% maths).
Hesters Way Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Springbank Primary AcademyRowanfield Infant SchoolRowanfield Junior SchoolSt Thomas More Catholic Primary School
Who goes there
53.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 38% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (59%), Asian (12%) and Black (7%).
In 2026, 65 pupils (38%) received SEN support and 14 (8.2%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Cheltenham Spa Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lipson Road (after), 100 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Hesters Way Primary School issued 8 suspensions, 4.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Hesters Way Primary School are All Saints' Academy, Cheltenham (0.2 miles); and Pate's Grammar School (0.3 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 9 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Hesters Way Primary School excels at welcoming all pupils and making sure every child gets the support they need to succeed. The school has created a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, respected and ambitious for learning - from those starting in early years with low starting points through to Year 6. Staff are dedicated to nurturing each child's talents and interests, providing enrichment experiences that broaden horizons and prepare pupils well for their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Highly effective early years provision with nurturing, inclusive approach and strong focus on early reading skills
- Exemplary inclusion practices ensuring all pupils, especially those with SEND and English as additional language speakers, receive tailored support
- Strong leadership with clear priorities and swift action leading to measurable improvements in reading and writing
- Well-structured personal development programme fostering pupil confidence, safety and understanding of British values
- Positive pupil behaviour and relationships, with particular success supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs
Areas for Improvement
- Need for continued engagement with parents and carers to secure higher pupil attendance rates
- Some pupils joining key stage 2 with very low starting points still achieve below national expectations by end of Year 6, despite good progress
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Outdoor learning, residential trips, Young Voices
Hesters Way Primary School is a high-performing school that has achieved strong standards across all areas including early years, inclusion, leadership, and personal development. The school demonstrates exceptional commitment to supporting all pupils, particularly those with additional needs and disadvantaged pupils, ensuring they make good progress from their starting points.
At a Glance
53.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 67% to 73% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 73% to 67% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 60% to 67% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
24.4
Avg class size
22.7
Infant (KS1)
25.8
KS2
7
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Hesters Way Primary School
Term dates
Hesters Way Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Gloucestershire. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Hesters Way Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Hesters Way Primary School is in Gloucestershire; for families living there:
Apply to Gloucestershire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 19
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 7 serious and 11 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Gloucestershire is 5 (the median across 338 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Hesters Way Primary School
Will you get a place at Hesters Way Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Hesters Way Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Hesters Way Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Hesters Way Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Gloucestershire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Hesters Way Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Gloucestershire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
88%
Available places
185 pupils
210 places
25 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Cheltenham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Cheltenham
Across Gloucestershire council
Places available
7,250
Applications
6,016
Got 1st preference
91.6%
Got preferred school
98.1%
All primary applications across Gloucestershire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
65
SEN Support
14
EHC Plans
46.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
171
Total Pupils
91
Boys
80
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
15.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£54,207
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,671
Per pupil
£1419k
Total funding
£127k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.5%
Overall absence
27.4%
Persistent absence
168
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Hesters Way Primary School
Questions parents ask about Hesters Way Primary School
What are SATs results like at Hesters Way Primary School?
Of the pupils at Hesters Way Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 73% reached the expected standard in reading and 67% did so in maths.
What is Hesters Way Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Hesters Way Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2021, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Hesters Way Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Hesters Way Primary School is oversubscribed, Gloucestershire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Hesters Way Primary School?
Hesters Way Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 88% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at Hesters Way Primary School?
Classes at Hesters Way Primary School average 24.4 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Hesters Way Primary School?
Hesters Way Primary School has around 171 pupils on roll. 54% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Hesters Way Primary School?
7.5% of sessions were missed at Hesters Way Primary School in 2024/25. 27.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Hesters Way Primary School?
Apply through Gloucestershire's coordinated admissions process, naming Hesters Way Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
What are Hesters Way Primary School's term dates?
Hesters Way Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Gloucestershire. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027).
How many road collisions happen near Hesters Way Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 7 serious and 11 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Gloucestershire is 5 (the median across 338 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Hesters Way Primary School?
Hesters Way Primary School is at Dill Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 0ES.
Sources: Gloucestershire term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)