Applegarth Primary School

About Applegarth Primary School

Applegarth Primary School in North Yorkshire is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 4 to 11, currently home to 253 children against a capacity of 270, meaning it is very close to full but not yet oversubscribed in terms of total spaces. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 17.8 per cent, which is notably above the national average for primary schools and suggests a more diverse socioeconomic intake than many local peers. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 82 applications for 28 places, with exactly 28 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.93 applicants per place. This level of competition indicates that while the school is popular, it is not among the most oversubscribed in the area, and families who apply early and live nearby stand a reasonable chance of securing a spot. The school is led by headteacher Kate Maxwell and has no religious character, so admissions are purely based on standard local authority criteria.

Academically, Applegarth performs solidly above the local average. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 68 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60 per cent. This places the school 68th out of 223 primary schools in the county, putting it in the top third locally and the top 37 per cent nationally. Results are particularly strong in maths, where 84 per cent of pupils met the expected standard and 39 per cent achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 107. Reading also performed well, with 82 per cent at expected and an average score of 106, while writing saw 74 per cent at expected and 13 per cent at the higher level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023 rated it Good across every category, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is consistent with its previous Good rating from 2014, showing sustained quality over time.

The school offers a range of facilities including playing fields, an art studio, a library, music rooms and a chapel, and pupils can take part in sports such as rounders, swimming, tennis, netball, athletics and cricket. Clubs include eco club, film club, drama and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, Applegarth provides support for a wide spectrum of conditions, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. The school also has nursery provision for younger children. Given its strong but not elite academic results, its broad SEND support and its popularity without being prohibitively oversubscribed, Applegarth is a good fit for families who want a well-regarded, inclusive local primary with a solid track record and a genuinely mixed intake.

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