Kettlewell Primary School

About Kettlewell Primary School

Kettlewell Primary School is a tiny state primary in North Yorkshire with just 28 pupils, and its headline metrics tell a story that is both modest and quietly impressive. The local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment sits at 60, but Kettlewell’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good and early years provision rated Good. That is a significant improvement from its previous inspection in 2013, when the school was graded Requires Improvement across the board. In a local authority where only 16 out of 292 primary schools hold an Outstanding rating, Kettlewell’s Good grade places it comfortably above the median. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with three first-preference applications for three places and six total applications for those three spots, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2:1. That level of demand suggests local parents see something worth fighting for, even in a school that operates at just over half its capacity of 52.

Academically, the picture is harder to pin down because the data does not include specific Key Stage 2 SATs results or a Progress 8 score for Kettlewell. What we do know is that the school’s Ofsted report from 2024 notes the school remains Good following an ungraded inspection, and the graded inspection from 2015 also awarded Good for overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision. The absence of published attainment figures means we cannot directly compare Kettlewell’s outcomes to the North Yorkshire LA average of 60 for KS2, but the Ofsted judgement suggests the school is delivering a solid standard of education. The previous Requires Improvement rating from 2013 indicates there has been a clear upward trajectory in quality over the past decade. With only 7.1 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively advantaged intake compared to many primaries nationally, which may contribute to its positive inspection outcomes.

Kettlewell is a rural primary with a distinctly outdoorsy feel, offering a Forest School programme alongside facilities like playing fields, a sports hall, and even a chapel. The clubs list includes Eco Club, Gardening, and Book Club, which fits the profile of a school that makes the most of its setting. Sports provision covers dance, tennis, cricket, and swimming. The school has identified SEND provisions for Moderate Learning Difficulty and Social, Emotional & Mental Health needs, though the small size means specialist support may be limited compared to larger primaries. For families, the key practical point is that this is a genuinely small school — 28 pupils across the 4-11 age range — so children will get a lot of individual attention, but the social mix is narrow. The oversubscription data shows it is popular locally, but with only three places available in the 2025/26 intake, securing a spot will depend on being within catchment or having a strong first-preference application. This school suits families who value a close-knit, rural setting with a focus on outdoor learning and a Good Ofsted rating, but who are comfortable with very small class sizes and limited on-site specialist facilities.

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