Bishops Castle Primary School
Bishops Castle, SY9 5PA · Shropshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
60th of 97 primary schools in Shropshire we can score, 127 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 — 2.4/10 against 2,479 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bishops Castle Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 4.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 128 pupils against a stated capacity of 175. 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 are below the expected standard in maths? What specific interventions are in place to raise attainment to the national median? How does the school monitor progress for pupils in the lower 50% of the cohort?
What Ofsted said about Bishops Castle Primary School
Overview
Bishops Castle Primary School is described as a nurturing environment where pupils thrive, demonstrating kindness and excellent manners. Leaders have significantly raised expectations, resulting in pupils becoming confident and resilient learners with positive attitudes towards their education. The school has successfully addressed previous weaknesses, particularly in reading and mathematics, leading to improved outcomes for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Pupils are taught to be "confident and resilient learners" and take on responsibilities such as school councillors.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with learning carefully sequenced and "sticky knowledge units" introduced to reinforce retention.
- Phonics is "well taught by expert staff," with books closely matched to sounds, ensuring pupils quickly learn to read.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified quickly and receive effective support, achieving well and being fully included.
- Leaders have been "highly effective" in improving the school, managing staff workload well despite rapid changes.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must ensure learning activities "precisely match" what pupils need to know, rather than pupils remembering the task itself.
- Subject leaders should monitor the impact of recent curriculum changes to clarify how well pupils learn the intended content.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 18% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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