Saxton Church of England Primary School

About Saxton Church of England Primary School

Saxton Church of England Primary School’s headline metrics present a mixed picture when set against the North Yorkshire local authority average for primary schools. The school’s KS2 reading, writing and maths expected standard attainment sits at 59%, which is just one percentage point below the LA average of 60% — a very narrow gap that places it in the bottom half of schools nationally but broadly in line with its peers locally. However, the school’s maths average score of 103 and reading average score of 107 both suggest solid foundations, with reading particularly strong. The school’s ranking within North Yorkshire is 119th out of 292 primary schools, placing it in the 55th percentile — essentially middle of the pack. What stands out more sharply is the contrast with the school’s own recent history: in its previous Ofsted inspection in 2022, it was rated Requires Improvement across quality of education, early years provision and overall effectiveness. The most recent inspection in 2024 saw every category upgraded to Good, a significant turnaround that speaks to effective leadership under headteacher Rick Weights.

Academically, Saxton’s KS2 results show a school that is performing solidly but not spectacularly. The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading is 82%, comfortably above the national benchmark, while maths expected attainment is 76% and writing is 59%. At the higher standard, reading leads again with 35% of pupils achieving greater depth, compared with 18% in maths and just 6% in writing. The combined reading, writing and maths higher standard figure is 0%, which is a notable gap. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. The Ofsted inspection report from April 2024 awarded Good across all five graded areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — with all categories scoring 2 on the four-point scale. This represents a clean sweep of Good ratings and a clear improvement from the previous inspection, where behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all graded Requires Improvement.

Saxton is a small school with just 40 pupils against a capacity of 90, and it is heavily oversubscribed for Reception entry in 2025/26: 46 applications for only 5 places, with all 5 first-preference applicants receiving offers. This suggests strong local demand despite the school’s middling academic ranking. Facilities are notably strong for a primary of this size, including a music room, forest school, ICT suite, sports hall, sensory room, chapel and playing fields. The school offers a range of clubs — choir, chess, science, art and eco club — and sports including athletics, dance, tennis, rounders and football. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social emotional and mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With its Church of England character, Good Ofsted rating and small community feel, Saxton will particularly suit families in the local area who value a well-resourced village primary with strong pastoral support, though those prioritising top-tier academic outcomes may want to look at the higher-ranked schools in the LA.

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