Leeming RAF Community Primary School

About Leeming RAF Community Primary School

Leeming RAF Community Primary School is a state primary in North Yorkshire with a notably small roll of 164 pupils against a capacity of 280, meaning it operates at just under 59% of its potential size. This is a school with plenty of room to grow, and the local demand suggests families are keen to get in: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 21 applications for 17 places, with 16 of those coming as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.24. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 7.3%, which is well below the national average for primary schools (typically around 23-24%), reflecting the relatively affluent catchment area around the RAF base. The school is mixed, non-religious, and serves ages 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision. Headteacher Robert Campbell leads a school that, despite its small size, offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, an ICT suite, a sensory room, and even a chapel.

Academically, Leeming RAF Community Primary performs strongly, particularly in reading. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, comfortably above the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60%. Reading is a standout subject: 96% of pupils reached the expected standard, and 42% achieved the higher standard, which is an impressive figure. Writing also performed well, with 83% at expected and 25% at the higher level. Maths was slightly lower, with 79% at expected and 8% at the higher level, though the average maths score of 103 is still above the national benchmark of 100. The school ranks 48th out of 223 primary schools in North Yorkshire, placing it in the top 22% of the local authority. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2024 confirmed the school remains Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2019 also rated it Good, while the 2008 inspection had awarded Outstanding.

For families considering this school, the practical picture is one of a well-resourced but under-capacity setting. The school offers a strong range of sports including cricket, athletics, netball, football, dance and swimming, plus clubs like book club, science club and chess. SEND provision is in place for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication issues, and autistic spectrum disorder. The school is oversubscribed, so families should be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. Given its strong academic outcomes, particularly in reading, and its relatively low FSM rate, this school is likely to suit families who value solid core skills and a broad extracurricular offer, especially those connected to the RAF base or living in the immediate area. The small cohort size also means children are likely to receive plenty of individual attention.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Leeming RAF Community Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents