SchoolScoresSessay CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of ELEVATE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Sessay, Thirsk, YO7 3NA
01845 501239 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 January 2020. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 10 July 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
36 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Thirsk comparisons use the 9 of its 13 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 4 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 | Thirsk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 14% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 93% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 13% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 9th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 20% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 2% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 21% | 55% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 25 parents who had raised a concern 7th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 16% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 82% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Thirsk. Higher than 21% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 88% | 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. Thirsk figures pool parents at the Thirsk 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
15 pupils in this year group.
27% — 33 points below the North Yorkshire average, and 35 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 27% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 80% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 47% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 53% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 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 | 10 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 10 |
| Of those, offered a place | 10 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 25 |
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. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.0% | 19.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 37% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.4% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.0% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 10th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 7.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 10.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. 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 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. 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 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 69% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.2 | 19.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 15% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.5 | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Sessay CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Sessay CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 10 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Sessay CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 35 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Sessay CofE Primary School?
81% of the 36 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Sessay CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Sessay CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 10 families put Sessay CofE Primary School as their first choice for 10 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 10 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 151006.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.