Long Marston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Long Marston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Long Marston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a small state primary in the North Yorkshire local authority, serving just 43 pupils aged 4 to 11. In the local landscape of 292 same-type schools across the authority, it sits among a competitive group; its top-performing peers include Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School - a Catholic voluntary academy, both with a ranking score of 100, and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary School at 95. The school is heavily oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, with 23 applications for just 8 places and all 8 first-preference offers accepted, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.88. This demand reflects its standing in the community, particularly given its Church of England foundation and headteacher Lauren Evans’s leadership. The school is a voluntary controlled primary, meaning it maintains close ties with the local church while being fully state-funded, and it does not offer nursery or sixth-form provision.

Academically, Long Marston has seen a notable turnaround. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, the school achieved an overall effectiveness rating of Good, a significant improvement from its previous inspection in 2021, when it was rated Requires Improvement. The 2024 report shows strong progress across all areas: quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management were all rated Good, while early years provision was judged Outstanding. The school’s Progress 8 and KS2 SATs scores are not provided in the data, but the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment sits at 60, giving a useful benchmark for context. The school’s small size means results can fluctuate year to year, but the Ofsted upgrade suggests a solid foundation. The school also supports pupils with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and autistic spectrum disorder, through its SEND provisions.

Facilities at Long Marston include an ICT suite, dining hall, sports hall, gymnasium, sensory room, and a chapel, offering a broad physical and pastoral environment for a small school. Sports on offer include dance, rounders, tennis, and athletics, while clubs such as chess, coding, science club, and book club provide enrichment beyond the curriculum. With just 43 pupils against a capacity of 70, the school is not at full roll, yet it is oversubscribed, indicating strong local preference. The 16.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals is slightly above the national average, reflecting a mixed catchment. This school will suit families seeking a small, church-affiliated primary with a strong pastoral focus and a recent track record of improvement, particularly those who value a close-knit community and are willing to navigate the competitive admissions process.

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