St Lawrence's Church of England Primary School

About St Lawrence's Church of England Primary School

St Lawrence's Church of England Primary School in York is a relatively small state primary, with 142 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, meaning it operates at just over two-thirds full. That spare capacity is notable given the school serves a community with significant disadvantage: 56.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% and likely among the highest in the local authority. Despite this, demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 37 applications for just 15 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.47 to one. All 13 first-preference applicants were offered a place, suggesting that while the school is popular locally, it remains accessible for families who put it first. The school is a Church of England foundation with a nursery provision, and its intake spans ages three to eleven. Headteacher Helen Coles leads a mixed-gender school that, based on its intake profile, clearly serves a diverse socioeconomic mix.

Academically, St Lawrence's has made a notable turnaround. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023, the school was rated Good overall, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2020. The inspection gave Outstanding grades for early years provision, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes, while leadership and management and quality of education were both rated Good. At Key Stage 2, 75% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the York local authority average of 62%. This places the school 6th out of 47 primaries in the local authority rankings for that measure, and within the top 20% nationally. In maths, 92% reached the expected standard and 50% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 109. Reading and writing also performed strongly, with 83% and 79% at expected levels respectively. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest effective teaching.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a library, art studios, a sensory room, and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England character. Sports provision includes gymnastics, tennis, football and rounders, while clubs extend to art, coding, chess, film and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists seven SEND provisions covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language challenges, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. With an oversubscription ratio of 2.47 and a clear improvement trajectory from Requires Improvement to Good, St Lawrence's is a school that has demonstrably raised its game. It will particularly suit families who value a strong pastoral and behavioural environment — the Outstanding ratings in those areas are a clear signal — and who want a primary that achieves above-average results despite serving a high-deprivation intake.

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