Marlfields Primary School, Congleton

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

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders accurately understand the quality of the curriculum and how it is taught."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have sharpened the way in which they identify pupils' needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "School and trust leaders work collaboratively to bring about change when it is needed."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have put in place a suitable programme to enrich pupils' personal development."

Achievement - Needs attention. "The most recent published data shows that, by the end of key stage 2, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is below the national average."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Staff do not apply the school's renewed behaviour policy consistently well."

Early years - Needs attention. "Leaders have made recent improvements to the curriculum in the early years."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the strengthened approach to managing pupils' behaviour is followed consistently well by all staff so that incidents of weaker behaviour reduce and pupils' learning is not disrupted"; "Leaders should ensure that there is a clear approach to the teaching of transcriptional skills so that pupils begin to write with accuracy and fluency from the early years and that gaps in older pupils' writing knowledge close"; "Leaders should ensure that children in the early years have suitable activities and opportunities to use and apply their learning so that they are better prepared for Year 1".

In its own words: "Our Governing Body is key role in supporting and challenging the school to help us achieve high standards of education, leadership and overall wellbeing. Working particularly close with our Head Teacher- Mrs C Sleath - and other staff to provide a strategic direction and ensure accountability and to help shape the future of the school."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:15am and after-school care, from £7.50 per session.

In 2025, 76% of Year 6 pupils at Marlfields Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 41% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 78% in Cheshire East and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 81% in reading and 62% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Marlfields Primary School as their first choice and 34 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.

The nearest other state primary schools to Marlfields Primary School are Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 87% reading, 73% maths); Daven Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 83% reading, 78% maths); Astbury St Mary's CofE Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 62% reading, 31% maths); and The Quinta Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 72% maths).

Marlfields Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Marlfields Primary School is one of 7 schools run by Children First Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

40.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (83%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 24 pupils (13.6%) received SEN support and 16 (9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Marlfields Primary School has a resourced provision for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, physical disability and moderate learning difficulties: 7 places, 7 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Congleton Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is West Street (nw-bound), 300 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 138 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cheshire East (61), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Marlfields Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 2.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Marlfields Primary School are Eaton Bank Academy (1.2 miles) and Congleton High School (1.3 miles).