Church of the Ascension CofE Primary School

About Church of the Ascension CofE Primary School

Church of the Ascension CofE Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 96 applications for just 36 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.67. Of those 96 applications, 33 were first-preference choices, and all 33 received offers. That level of demand suggests parents who know the school well are keen to secure a place. The school itself is a state primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, with a Church of England character, and is led by headteacher Lindsay Mason. It currently has 312 pupils on roll, very close to its capacity of 315, which reinforces the sense of a school that is full and thriving. While the Department for Education does not publish a formal parent view score for this school, the oversubscription figures speak for themselves: this is a school that local parents actively want their children to attend.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across its most recent inspections. In its 2021 ungraded inspection, the school was judged to have remained Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. At Key Stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is slightly above the Dudley local authority average of 59%. The school’s average scores in reading (105) and maths (106) are both above the national benchmark of 100. A higher-than-expected proportion of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading (33%), writing (31%) and maths (29%), with 18% hitting the higher bar across all three subjects. In the Dudley local authority rankings, the school sits 33rd out of 69 primary schools, placing it in the middle of the pack but with a solid foundation of expected standards.

The school offers a good range of facilities including an outdoor playground, ICT suite, gymnasium, art studios, forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include dance, football, cricket and netball, while clubs cover drama, choir and chess. For children with additional needs, the school has provisions for moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 6.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively low-deprivation intake compared to the national average. This is a school that suits families who want a well-subscribed, Good-rated Church of England primary with strong core results, a broad set of enrichment activities, and a clear sense of local demand. The oversubscription ratio means applying early and as a first preference is essential.

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