Kilham Church of England Voluntary Controlled School

About Kilham Church of England Voluntary Controlled School

Kilham Church of England Voluntary Controlled School is a small primary in the East Riding of Yorkshire, a local authority with 123 primary schools where only five hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. The school itself ranks 50th out of 106 primaries in the LA on the key stage 2 expected standard measure, placing it in the top half locally. Its closest performing peers in the area include Skidby Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Fangfoss, and Walkington Primary School, all of which sit higher in the rankings. With just 99 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, Kilham is a genuinely small village school, and its Church of England designation gives it a distinct place in the local landscape. The headteacher, Robert Palmer, leads a school that draws families from the surrounding rural area, and the nursery provision means children can start from age three.

Academically, Kilham performs solidly against the local average. In the 2023/24 key stage 2 assessments, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the East Riding average of 61%. The school’s maths scores are a particular strength: the average scaled score was 109, with 77% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 32% achieving the higher standard. Reading scores were slightly lower, with an average of 107 and 73% at the expected level, while writing saw 68% at expected and just 5% at the higher level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in April 2024, confirmed that it remains Good overall, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all graded Good. The previous graded inspection in 2015 also rated the school Good, so the rating has been consistent over time.

The school offers a practical set of facilities for its size, including an ICT suite, a sports hall, playing fields, a sensory room, and a chapel. Sports on offer include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, netball, rounders and cricket, while clubs range from drama and film club to book club, choir and chess. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties. Admissions for the 2025/26 year show the school is oversubscribed: there were 13 applications for 9 places, with all 9 first-preference applicants receiving offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.44. This suggests a school that is popular locally but still accessible for families who prioritise it. It will suit parents looking for a small, Church of England primary with a strong community feel and a solid academic record in a rural East Riding setting.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Kilham Church of England Voluntary Controlled School

Helpful Guides for Parents