St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy, Hereford

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy on 7 areas: 5 strong standard and 2 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. "Leaders are relentlessly focused on pupils' attendance."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the early years benefit from a well-designed and ambitious curriculum that gives them the best possible start to school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders make sure that every pupil feels valued and supported."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear vision for the school and work hard to make sure every pupil achieves well and feels valued."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school provides a vast range of opportunities to nurture pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the curriculum."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have planned a broad and balanced curriculum that gives pupils the knowledge and skills they need for the future."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should take appropriate action to ensure that all pupils develop a deeper knowledge of the curriculum, ensuring consistency in checking pupils' understanding by addressing all misconceptions effectively. • Leaders should maintain their strong focus on closing attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils compared with their non-disadvantaged peers in the school".

In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 89% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Herefordshire, County of; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (89% in reading, 86% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy as their first choice and 62 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 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 St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy are Lord Scudamore Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 72% reading, 60% maths); St James' Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, 83% reading, 86% maths); St Francis Xavier's Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 91% reading, 94% maths); and Holmer CofE Academy (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 85% reading, 81% maths).

St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy is one of 21 schools run by Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

11 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (91%).

66.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (31%), Asian (31%) and Black (11%).

St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hereford Rail Station, about 390 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

26 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Coningsby Hospital Museum (opposite), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 397 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Herefordshire, County of (4), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy issued 4 suspensions, 1.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy are Aylestone School (0.9 miles), The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School (1.3 miles), Whitecross Hereford (1.4 miles) and The Hereford Church of England Academy (1.6 miles).