Benhall Infant School

Benhall Infant School has made significant progress since its last inspection, moving from an outstanding grade 13 years ago to a good rating this time. The school has a well-structured approach to education that emphasizes individual growth, fostering an environment where pupils are encouraged to embrace challenges and learn effectively. The headteacher and staff work collaboratively to create a nurturing atmosphere, with a strong focus on personal development and positive behavior among students. The engagement in their learning is evident, and the supportive relationship between teachers and pupils is a notable strength of the school.

Strengths

• Pupils are motivated to learn and respond positively to feedback.
• High expectations for behavior result in a respectful and safe environment.
• A well-structured reading curriculum with effective phonics instruction.
• Strong engagement with parents to support children's learning.
• Diverse opportunities for personal development through various activities.

Areas for Improvement

• Some subjects lack clear definitions of essential knowledge for pupils.
• Assessment systems for long-term retention of knowledge are underdeveloped in certain areas.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Benhall Infant School attended 95.0% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 10.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.6% of pupils at Benhall Infant School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Benhall Infant School had 28.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 18.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 12.1% of pupils at Benhall Infant School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 3.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Benhall Infant School received £6,790 and spent £6,828 for each of its 231 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £30,000 (-£131 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Cheltenham · Gloucestershire local authority: places and applications

What is Benhall Infant School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Benhall Infant School is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was Benhall Infant School last inspected by Ofsted?

Benhall Infant School was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does Benhall Infant School have?

Benhall Infant School has 231 pupils on roll.

What age range does Benhall Infant School cover?

Benhall Infant School for pupils aged 4 to 7.

Where is Benhall Infant School?

Benhall Infant School is at Robert Burns Avenue, Benhall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6PS.