Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School

About Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School

Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School is a small state primary in North Yorkshire that clearly commands strong local confidence. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 18 applications for just 7 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.57 — meaning nearly three families applied for every available spot. All 7 first-preference applicants were offered places, which suggests that while the school is popular, those who put it first stand a solid chance. The school has a nursery provision for children aged two and above, and with just 36 pupils on roll against a capacity of 52, there is some room to grow. The headteacher is Debbie McLean, and the school’s Church of England character is reflected in its on-site chapel. The most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023 rated the school Good overall, with behaviour and attitudes judged Outstanding — a strong signal for parents concerned about the day-to-day atmosphere their child would experience.

Academically, Eppleby Forcett punches well above its weight. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, every single pupil (100%) met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — a figure that towers over the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60%. The school also excels at the higher standard: 67% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, 67% in maths, and 33% in writing. Average scaled scores were 111 in both reading and maths, comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. These results place Eppleby Forcett first out of 223 primary schools in North Yorkshire, and ninth nationally out of 13,686 schools, when ranked by the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in all three subjects. The school’s ranking score of 100 puts it in the top five percent of primary schools in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment for its pupils. Facilities include a sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, an outdoor playground, art studios, a library, and a forest school — the latter a notable asset for outdoor learning. Clubs such as coding, eco club and gardening complement a sports programme that includes rounders, tennis, athletics and dance. For children with additional needs, the school has specific provision for autistic spectrum disorder. With a very low proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (5.6%), the school serves a relatively affluent catchment, but its small size means each child is likely to be well known to staff. This is a school that suits families who value strong academic outcomes in a close-knit, Church of England setting, and who are prepared for a competitive admissions process.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents