St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, West Tanfield
Ripon, HG4 5JN · North Yorkshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
177th 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 2,795 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9/10 among them, against 2.4/10 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 | 57.0 · 32 | 40% | 1.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, West Tanfield overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 57.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 63%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 6%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9 out of 10 among them, against 2.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join drumming, choir, singing games, and music clubs, participate in gardening, fencing, archery, volleyball, and hand ball, and attend Young Voices concerts. A breakfast club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 53 pupils against a stated capacity of 70. 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 progress from the expected standard to the higher standard? What specific strategies are used to improve results in the similar-intake comparison group? How does the breakfast club integrate with the morning curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, West Tanfield
Overview
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, characterised by a "strong spirit of community" and "genuine care" for pupils. The inspection found that pupils "thrive" in this inclusive environment, benefiting from an "ambitious curriculum" and "exemplary" behaviour. Leaders and governors demonstrate a "strong commitment" to further development, supported by effective collaboration within a school federation.
Strengths
- Pupils display "highly positive attitudes to their learning" and work "happily" with peers, showing respect and kindness.
- Teachers possess "deep and secure subject knowledge," ensuring pupils learn without disruption and produce work of "high quality."
- Reading is "central to the life of the school," with effective phonics teaching helping pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same curriculum as peers and "achieve well" due to precise identification of needs.
- The school prioritises wider development through a "comprehensive and age-appropriate personal development programme" and pupil-led collective worship.
Areas to improve
- Some pupils in upper key stage 2 lack a "deep and coherent body of knowledge" in certain subjects due to previous curriculum weaknesses and pandemic impacts.
- The school should "further embed knowledge retrieval strategies" into the curriculum for these pupils to secure necessary knowledge for secondary school.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
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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