Wistow Parochial Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Wistow Parochial Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Wistow Parochial Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School posts a Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing and maths expected standard score of 61%, which sits just one percentage point above the North Yorkshire local authority average of 60% for primary schools. That places it 107th out of 223 primaries in the county, putting it in the bottom half of schools locally but not far off the middle of the pack. The school's maths average score of 105 and reading average score of 106 are both solid, though the proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in all three subjects is zero. Where Wistow does stand out is in personal development: Ofsted rated this Outstanding in its most recent graded inspection, and the school has held a Good overall effectiveness rating across both its 2019 graded inspection and its 2024 ungraded inspection, where standards were confirmed as maintained.

The school's exam results tell a mixed story. While 61% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, that figure is only marginally above the LA average. Individual subject results are more encouraging: 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, maths and writing separately, with average scaled scores of 106 in reading and 105 in maths. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard is modest — 26% in reading, 17% in maths and 13% in writing. The school ranks in the bottom 50 nationally on the KS2 combined measure, sitting at the 54th percentile. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 93% of respondents would recommend the school, and 96% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy here. Strongly agree responses were particularly high for safety (81%), behaviour (77%) and communication about learning (70%).

Wistow is a Church of England primary with 119 pupils on roll against a capacity of 140, so there is some room for growth. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 25 first-preference applications for 20 places, giving a first-preference ratio of 1.25. The school offers a range of facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, ICT suite, sensory room and chapel, plus clubs such as coding, chess, choir and book club. SEND provision covers six areas including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disability, though only 14% of parents responding to the Parent View survey said their child had SEND. With just 6.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is less disadvantaged than many local primaries. This is a small village school that suits families who value strong pastoral care and a clear Church of England character, and who are comfortable with academic results that are broadly in line with the local average.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Wistow Parochial Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents