Pickhill Church of England Primary School
Thirsk, YO7 4JL · North Yorkshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
151st 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,308 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 3.1/10 nationally. 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) 2023/24 | 45.0 · 13 | 40% | 0.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 9.0 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Pickhill Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 45.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 63%. A higher 9.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 6%. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9 out of 10 among them, against 3.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 60 pupils against a stated capacity of 63. 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 to close the gap between the 45.0% expected standard and the national median? What specific strategies are used to help the 9.0% who reach the higher standard extend their learning? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the lower performance in the similar-intake comparison?
What Ofsted said about Pickhill Church of England Primary School
Overview
Pickhill Church of England Primary School is described as a "nurturing and caring school" where pupils thrive as part of the ‘Pickhill family’. The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with leaders maintaining high ambitions for every pupil and fostering a strong sense of belonging.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit "positive behaviour" and treat each other with "high levels of respect and kindness".
- The reading curriculum is effective, ensuring pupils develop "fluency and comprehension skills" and have a "love of reading".
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "highly effective support" and are included in all aspects of school life.
- Staff know pupils "extremely well" and cultivate a strong sense of belonging, supported by excellent relationships.
- The curriculum provides opportunities for character development, including understanding "different world faiths and cultures" and local heritage.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure systems are developed to check what pupils know and can do in each year group across all curriculum subjects. This is to ensure that tasks are "precisely matched" to pupils’ prior knowledge, as teachers are occasionally unclear about the security of prior learning in some subjects.
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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| England | 63% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,190 state schools in England we hold a 2023/24 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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