Highfield Community Primary School, Chester

Ofsted's report card from its 23 June 2026 inspection grades Highfield Community Primary School on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils enjoy being part of the school and attend regularly."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders implement an impressive curriculum that covers all areas of learning well."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders place relationships at the centre of their work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "In the main, pupils learn and achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that is broad and balanced."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know the school well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders provide well for pupils' personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that their work to secure pupils' increased attainment by the end of Year 6 has the intended impact, including for disadvantaged pupils"; "Leaders should ensure that staff identify and address any gaps and errors in pupils' knowledge and skills across the curriculum as soon as they arise".

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils at Highfield Community Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 74% in Cheshire West and Chester and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 70% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 20 families put Highfield Community Primary School as their first choice and 50 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 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 Highfield Community Primary School are The Arches Community Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 77% reading, 74% maths); St Theresa's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 66% reading, 62% maths); Dee Point Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 55% reading, 58% maths); and J H Godwin Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 53% reading, 47% maths).

Highfield Community Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

11% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 50 pupils (22.9%) received SEN support and 11 (5%) 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.

Highfield Community Primary School had 15 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

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

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Highfield School (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 166 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cheshire West and Chester (71), as is usual near a town centre.

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