Barmby-on-the-Marsh Primary School

About Barmby-on-the-Marsh Primary School

Barmby-on-the-Marsh Primary School is a small state primary in the East Riding of Yorkshire that clearly commands strong local confidence. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 21 applications for just 9 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.33 — meaning more than two families applied for every available spot. All 9 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that while competition is real, those who put it top of their list have a solid chance. The school is led by headteacher Claire Hitchen and currently has 58 pupils on roll, well below its capacity of 84, so there is room to grow. Ofsted’s most recent ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed the school remains Good, a rating it has held consistently since at least its previous graded inspection in 2018. With 8.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is slightly below the national average, reflecting the largely rural, relatively affluent catchment.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted graded inspection in 2018 rated overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision all as Good. The inspection report noted that pupils make good progress from their starting points, though specific KS2 SATs results are not available in the data to compare against the local authority average of 61% achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary for ages 4 to 11. Among its local peers, it sits outside the top three ranked schools in the area — Skidby Church of England, St Martin’s Fangfoss, and Walkington Primary all score higher on the ranking measure — but the strong oversubscription suggests parents in the village and surrounding hamlets value what it offers. The school’s facilities include an ICT suite, sports hall, forest school area, music rooms, and a gymnasium, which is a generous set of resources for a school of this size.

For families considering Barmby-on-the-Marsh, the practical picture is reassuring. The school offers a range of sports including netball, athletics, cross country, swimming, cricket, football and tennis, plus clubs such as science, art, eco, chess and choir. It has dedicated SEND provision for hearing and visual impairments, which is a specific strength for a small rural school. The school is non-religious in character and does not offer nursery provision or boarding. The chapel listed among facilities is likely a community resource rather than a place of worship tied to the school’s ethos. This is a school that suits families who want a genuinely local, community-focused primary where their child will be known individually — the small roll and high demand suggest a tight-knit feel. The forest school and outdoor playground also appeal to parents keen on nature-based learning. With no official sixth form, secondary transfer will be the next step, but for the primary years, this is a popular, well-regarded choice in the East Riding.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Barmby-on-the-Marsh Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents