Shirley Community Primary School, Cambridge

In its own words: "At Shirley School, we are dedicated to fostering a friendly, happy learning environment within the vibrant Chesterton community of Cambridge . Our inclusive school welcomes children from diverse backgrounds, many of whom speak English as an additional language. Our dedicated staff supports each child, ensuring they feel valued and excited to learn every day."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a friendly, happy and successful school, serving the diverse and vibrant community of Chesterton in Cambridge. Our pupils come from a wide variety of backgrounds and many speak English as an additional language."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 61% of Year 6 pupils at Shirley Community Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in Cambridgeshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 53% in reading and 49% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Shirley Community Primary School as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 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 Shirley Community Primary School are Chesterton Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 62% reading, 54% maths); The Grove Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 64% reading, 64% maths); Kings Hedges Primary School (1 mile, Good, 85% reading, 87% maths); and Fen Ditton Primary School (1 mile, Good, 68% reading, 84% maths).

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

41.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 63 pupils (20.8%) received SEN support and 20 (6.6%) 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 autism.

Shirley Community Primary School had 21 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Cambridge North Rail Station, about 520 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sherbourne Close (opposite), 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 303 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cambridgeshire (57), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Shirley Community Primary School issued 22 suspensions, 6.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Shirley Community Primary School are North Cambridge Academy (0.9 miles) and Chesterton Community College (1.4 miles).