Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School
Ripon, HG4 4AH · North Yorkshire · primary school
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221st 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 — 0.2/10 against 4,143 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 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.
Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the 'Love Science' club, Chess Club, and French Cafe Bistro. Sports include Girls Football, QuadKids, Cross Country, Cricket, and Swimming. Year 5 and 6 pupils perform in Drama, and the school participates in Young Voices 2026. Trips include a London Residential, Polar Express Day, and visits to Ripon Cathedral and Snape. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 13 pupils against a stated capacity of 57. 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 bridge the gap between the expected and higher standards? What specific strategies are used to improve reading outcomes for the current cohort? How does the small pupil number affect the range of peer interactions in the classroom?
What Ofsted said about Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School
Overview
This inspection found that Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School is ‘Good’ across all judgement categories. The report describes a school where ‘pupils enjoy coming to school’ and where ‘relationships between pupils and staff are strong’. Leaders maintain ‘high expectations of all pupils’, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, within a federation that operates across two sites.
Strengths
- ‘The curriculums in most subjects are now coherently sequenced and ambitious’, with mathematics identified as a particular strength.
- ‘Pupils with SEND are supported effectively to access the same curriculum offer as their peers’ through collaborative support plans.
- ‘Most pupils are capable, fluent readers’ by Year 3, supported by a consistently taught phonics programme.
- ‘Pupils demonstrate very mature attitudes’ in personal, social, health and citizenship education, showing a secure understanding of safety and inclusivity.
- ‘Governors play an active role’ in supporting staff well-being and alleviating pressure in this small school setting.
Areas to improve
- ‘In some lessons, the tasks that teachers give to pupils are not sufficiently ambitious’, meaning pupils do not always acquire detailed knowledge or make links between learning.
- Teachers ‘do not consistently make it explicit to pupils when they are building on something that they have been taught before’, hindering the connection of prior learning.
- In some subjects, such as science, teachers ‘do not give pupils sufficiently ambitious tasks to deepen their learning’.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with leaders personalising the curriculum to address rural risks and staff quickly spotting indicators of harm.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 33% |
| 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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