Carleton Endowed CofE Primary School

About Carleton Endowed CofE Primary School

Carleton Endowed CofE Primary School is a small Church of England primary in North Yorkshire, currently operating well below its capacity. With 144 pupils on roll against a school capacity of 210, there is significant room for growth. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.9%, which is slightly above the national average for primary schools, though the school does not serve a particularly disadvantaged catchment. Demand is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 22 applications for just 9 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.44 to one. All nine first-preference applicants were offered a place, but the numbers suggest that families are keen to get in, even if the school is not yet full overall. The headteacher is Orla Gibbons, and the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 judged it as Requires Improvement overall, a significant shift from its previous Inadequate rating in 2021.

Academically, the school’s performance is a mixed picture. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, just 32% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well below the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60%. This places the school 219th out of 223 primary schools in the county, in the bottom 2% nationally. However, individual subject results are more nuanced: 64% reached the expected standard in reading and 64% in writing, while maths lagged at 36%. The proportion achieving the higher standard was low across the board, with just 4% in maths and reading and 16% in writing. Progress scores are not available, so it is unclear whether pupils are making typical gains from their starting points. The school’s Ofsted report noted that early years provision, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes are all rated Good, suggesting strengths in pastoral care even if academic outcomes need attention.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, chapel, library, ICT suite, and playing fields, plus clubs such as gardening, coding, chess, choir and drama. Sports provision covers football, gymnastics, athletics and cricket. SEND support is a notable area of concern: in the Parent View survey, 23% of respondents disagreed that SEND children receive the support they need, and 23% strongly disagreed, while only 15% strongly agreed. The school does list provisions for a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, autism, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Overall, 55% of parents would recommend the school, but the 45% who would not is a high figure. This is a school that suits families who value its small, church-based community and pastoral strengths, but who are prepared to engage closely with the school on academic improvement and SEND support. The nearest outstanding alternative is Lothersdale Primary School, 4.3 km away.

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