SchoolScoresBishops Castle Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of DIOCESE OF HEREFORD MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Oak Meadow, Bishops Castle, SY9 5PA
01588 638522 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 October 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
| Statement | This school | Bishops Castle | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bishops Castle. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 100% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bishops Castle. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 98% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bishops Castle. Higher than 44% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 93% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 12 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 7th highest of 32 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire. Higher than 78% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | – | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 21 parents who had raised a concern Joint 45th highest of 60 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shropshire. Higher than 20% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | – | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bishops Castle. Higher than 28% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bishops Castle figures pool parents at the Bishops Castle schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
24 pupils in this year group.
50% — 8 points below the Shropshire average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 50% | 58% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 71% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 63% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Shropshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 8 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 12 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 56% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.3% | 18.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 82% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 37% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.5% | 12.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 6.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Lower than 10% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Lower than 20% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 18.1% | 11.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Lower than 8% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 8.1 | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Lower than 7% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.7% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 45% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.2 | 20.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state primary schools in Bishops Castle. Higher than 49% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.7 | 10.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 28th highest of 95 state primary schools in Shropshire. Higher than 63% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 16.7% | 12.1%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Lydbury North CofE Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 14% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bishops Castle Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Bishops Castle Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 October 2023.
How did Bishops Castle Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 12 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Bishops Castle Primary School?
84% of the 31 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Bishops Castle Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bishops Castle Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put Bishops Castle Primary School as their first choice for 8 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 8 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145672.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.