Birstwith Church of England Primary School
Harrogate, HG3 2NJ · North Yorkshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
16th of 252 primary schools in North Yorkshire we can score, 290 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.4/10 against 3,697 of them, against 9.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 91.0 · 98 | 40% | 3.92 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 18.0 · 89 | 25% | 2.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Birstwith Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 91.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 18.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join French Club and The Birstwith Bowers. Sports include hockey, cricket, football, and multi-sport, while arts and music cover violin and cello. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 61 pupils against a stated capacity of 87. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific activities are included in The Birstwith Bowers? How does the after-school club operate on days with sports fixtures?
What Ofsted said about Birstwith Church of England Primary School
Overview
Birstwith Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, underpinned by a strong Christian ethos where pupils treat each other with respect. Leaders and parents share high ambitions for every child, and pupils behave extremely well, arriving at school ready to learn. However, the report notes that the curriculum is not yet ambitious enough to meet the needs of all pupils fully.
Strengths
- A Christian ethos is central, with leaders encouraging pupils to ‘Love one another as I have loved you’, resulting in bullying being ‘extremely rare’.
- Partnership working with local schools helps keep teachers’ workload manageable and supports curriculum expertise.
- Teachers successfully adapt the curriculum for mixed-age classes, matching learning to specific year-group objectives.
- The school uses diagnostic tests skilfully to identify specific processing difficulties for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), enabling precise support.
- Pupils learn about democracy first-hand through an elected pupil council, which contributes well to their moral education.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum does not meet the needs of pupils consistently well, with some not achieving as well as they could.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is sufficiently challenging and matched well to the needs of all pupils.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring staff suitability and adapting curriculum to teach safety skills relevant to local risks, such as water safety and county lines.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 88% |
| 2024/25 | 91% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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