SchoolScoresFoston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Main Street, Foston, York, YO60 7QB
01653 618265 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
14 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
York (North Yorkshire) comparisons use the 24 of its 37 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 13 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | York (North Yorkshire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 91% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 92% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 23%). 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. York (North Yorkshire) figures pool parents at the York (North Yorkshire) 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
7 pupils in this year group.
Only 7 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
43% — 17 points below the North Yorkshire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 57% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 57% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 57% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 North Yorkshire. 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 | 3 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 3 |
| Of those, offered a place | 3 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 10 |
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.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 14th highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.5% | 19.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 28th highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 25th highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 20th highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 7.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 11th lowest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Lower than 80% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 19th lowest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.3% | 10.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 100% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 40.0 | 19.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 37 state primary schools in York (North Yorkshire). Higher than 100% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 40.0 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- Sheriff Hutton Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Welburn Community Primary School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 100% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
100% of the 14 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 3 families put Foston CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice for 3 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 3 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 121492.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.