Carlton and Faceby Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

About Carlton and Faceby Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Carlton and Faceby Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a small, mixed state primary in North Yorkshire, currently home to 51 pupils against a capacity of 56. That leaves very little slack, and the demand is clear: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 33 applications for just 11 places, with all 11 first-preference offers accepted. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 3:1, a strong signal from local families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.7%, which is notably lower than the national primary average of around 23%, suggesting a relatively affluent intake. The school also offers nursery provision, so children can join from age three. With a Church of England religious character and voluntary aided status, the school is likely to be a focal point for the local community, though its small size means it can feel intimate and personal.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across inspections dating back to 2008. In its most recent ungraded inspection in January 2023, the school was judged to have remained Good. The 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results show 60% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — exactly in line with the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60%. Reading and maths scores were strong: 90% of pupils met the expected standard in both subjects, with average scores of 109 in reading and 104 in maths. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard in reading was 50%, while in maths it was just 10%, and no pupils achieved the higher standard in writing. Nationally, the school sits in the 57th percentile for its combined expected standard score, placing it comfortably in the middle of the pack.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including a sports hall, playing fields, a forest school, a sensory room, and a chapel. Clubs such as drama, chess, gardening, science, book club and coding add breadth beyond the curriculum, while sports include swimming, athletics, netball and cross country. SEND provision is in place for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social and emotional mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its oversubscription and small cohort, this is a school that suits families who value a close-knit, church-affiliated setting and are willing to compete for a place. The lack of a sixth form is standard for a primary, and the nursery provision makes it a convenient option for families with younger siblings.

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