Birstwith Church of England Primary School

About Birstwith Church of England Primary School

Birstwith Church of England Primary School is a small state primary in North Yorkshire, and it punches well above its weight academically. Among 223 primary schools in the local authority, it ranks 9th, placing it in the top 5% nationally. Its closest peers at the very top of the LA rankings are Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, both of which achieved a perfect ranking score of 100, with Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary School close behind at 95. Headteacher Rebecca Lyman leads a school of just 68 pupils, well under its capacity of 87, giving it an intimate feel. The school has a Church of England character and a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has held consistently across its two most recent graded inspections. With only 4.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is notably less disadvantaged than many schools nationally.

Academically, the school’s Key Stage 2 results are strong. In the 2023/24 academic year, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the North Yorkshire LA average of 60%. Every single pupil reached the expected standard in both maths and writing individually, and 100% did so in maths. At the higher standard, 38% achieved in maths and reading, and 25% in writing. Average scaled scores were 108 in both reading and maths, comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. The school’s overall ranking score of 88 reflects this consistent performance. Progress measures are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points, but the raw outcomes are clearly very strong.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including an ICT suite, library, music rooms, sports hall, chapel and an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers tennis, swimming, netball, dance and athletics, while clubs include drama, eco club, science club, gardening, choir and art club. SEND support is available for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. For the 2025/26 intake, the school was oversubscribed: 22 applications were received for just 5 places, with all 5 first-preference applicants offered a place, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.4. This is a school that suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes in a small, church-affiliated setting, and who are prepared to compete for a place in a popular local primary.

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