SchoolScoresSowerby Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of ELEVATE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Topcliffe Road, Sowerby, Sowerby Primary Academy, Thirsk, YO7 1RX
01845 523037 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 December 2014. 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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 22 June 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
48 pupils in this year group.
65% — 5 points above the North Yorkshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 65% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 81% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 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 | 28 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 28 |
| Of those, offered a place | 28 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 59 |
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 | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.5% | 19.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 90% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 23.4% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.5% | 7.4%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 57% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 58% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.5% | 10.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Lower than 63% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.3% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 55% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.0 | 19.6 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 13 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 60% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.3 | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 9 state primary schools in Thirsk. Higher than 72% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 19.7% | 14.5%* | 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
- All Saints Catholic Primary School, a Catholic Voluntary Academy 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Keeble Gateway Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Thirsk Community Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 30% met expected standard (KS2)
- South Kilvington CofE Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 92% met expected standard (KS2)
- Carlton Miniott Primary Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Alanbrooke Academy 2.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sowerby Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Sowerby Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 December 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 June 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Sowerby Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 65% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Sowerby Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 28 families put Sowerby Primary Academy as their first choice for 28 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 28 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 145369.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.