West Cliff Primary School
Whitby, YO21 3EG · North Yorkshire · primary school
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100th 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 — 5.0/10 against 3,846 of them, against 5.1/10 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 | 58.0 · 35 | 41% | 1.41 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.77 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.97 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Cliff Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. A higher 13.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2022. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Ocean Fun Club and learn surfing. Trips include the Beach Curriculum and visits to the Captain Cook Museum. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 159 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 activities are included in the surfing sessions? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about West Cliff Primary School
Overview
West Cliff Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school with ‘high expectations’ where pupils are ‘polite’ and behave well, supported by an ‘extremely inclusive’ environment. Leaders are actively redeveloping the curriculum to ensure it is ‘fit for purpose’, though some areas require further refinement to ensure consistency from the early years through to Year 6.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate strong ‘behaviour and attitudes’, knowing what bullying is and trusting that teachers ‘always deal with it’.
- The school provides robust support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs through ‘the rockpool’, staffed by ‘patient, attentive and skilled’ professionals.
- Pupils have a ‘good understanding of how to stay safe online’ and benefit from universal access to iPads for remote learning.
- Character development is fostered through the ‘tame a tiger’ programme, which builds ‘self-confidence, resilience and self-esteem’.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘keeping up with their peers’ and often accessing the same tasks.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure all subjects ‘teach the right things in the right order from the early years’, as some curriculum links with Key Stage 1 are currently underdeveloped.
- Assessment systems in foundation subjects are not yet used consistently to ‘identify gaps in pupil’s learning’ or inform curriculum planning.
- The personal, social and health education curriculum should be reviewed to ensure pupils have a confident understanding of ‘British values’ such as democracy and tolerance.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders demonstrating a ‘good understanding of the immediate risks to the pupils in their community’, including county lines.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 48% |
| 2023/24 | 54% |
| 2024/25 | 58% |
| 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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