Blackshaw Moor CofE First School

About Blackshaw Moor CofE First School

Blackshaw Moor CofE First School is a small Church of England primary in Staffordshire Moorlands that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local popularity. With 76 pupils on roll against a capacity of just 55, the school is operating well above its intended size, and for the 2025/26 intake it received 20 applications for 11 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.82. All 11 first-preference applicants were offered a place, but the remaining nine families were unsuccessful. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 15.8%, which is slightly above the national primary average of around 13% but below the Staffordshire average for similar schools. This suggests a broadly mixed intake, with the school drawing from families across the local area. Headteacher Samantha Crawforth leads a school that offers nursery provision for children from age three, and the age range runs up to Year 4, meaning families will need to plan for a transition to a middle or junior school at age nine.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained consistently across its two most recent inspections. The most recent graded inspection took place in 2014, followed by an ungraded inspection in December 2023 that confirmed the school remains Good. In that 2023 visit, inspectors rated leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all as Good. The previous graded inspection in 2009 also awarded Good across the board, with early years provision and leadership both scoring 2 on the four-point scale. While the data does not include specific KS2 SATs results for Blackshaw Moor, the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment in Staffordshire primary schools is 65, which provides a useful benchmark. Given the school’s consistent Ofsted record and high demand from local families, it is reasonable to expect outcomes that align with or exceed this LA average, though parents should verify the most recent published results directly with the school.

The school is well equipped for a small setting, with facilities including a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, art studios, a sensory room, and a chapel. Sports offered include cross country, football, cricket, dance, and tennis, while clubs range from choir and drama to gardening, science, book club, and eco club. For children with additional needs, the school provides support for social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties, and autistic spectrum disorder. The oversubscription ratio of 1.82 means that families living outside the immediate catchment area may find it difficult to secure a place, particularly for in-year admissions. This is a school that suits families who value a small, Church of England primary with strong community ties and a broad range of enrichment activities, but who are also comfortable planning ahead for the transition at age nine to a different school for upper primary years.

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