Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided), Ludlow
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Ludlow, part of Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2023. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 3rd-highest of the 6 schools in Ludlow with published results, and 5,775th of 14,452 across England. It was 72% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Shropshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) in detail
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of our school community I would like to welcome you to Bitterley CE Primary School part of the Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust. Our aim is to provide an exciting, memorable and rounded education for all pupils. Inclusivity is fundamental to this, we see no limits to every child reaching their potential."
The school runs after-school care.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Shropshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 62% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)
For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) are Clee Hill Community Academy (2.3 miles, Good, 77% reading, 85% maths); Ludlow Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 75% reading, 72% maths); St Laurence CofE Primary School (3.5 miles, Good, 74% reading, 78% maths); and Bishop Hooper Church of England Primary School (4.7 miles, Good, 64% reading, 71% maths).
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)'s 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.
Clee Hill Community AcademyLudlow Primary SchoolSt Laurence CofE Primary SchoolBishop Hooper Church of England Primary School
The trust
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is one of 21 schools run by Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
8.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
Staffing
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Ludlow Rail Station, about 3.4 miles away in a straight line.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (adjacent), 50 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Shropshire (10).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) issued 5 suspensions, 5.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its October 2023 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
8.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 62% to 80% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 80% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 85% to 80% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
20.3
Avg class size
23.5
KS2
4
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)
Term dates
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Shropshire's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is in Shropshire; for families living there:
Apply to Shropshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Shropshire is 1 (the median across 187 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)
Will you get a place at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)'s admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided):
- The straight-line distance from your home to Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided).
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Shropshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) for 2016 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Shropshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
72%
Available places
81 pupils
112 places
31 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Ludlow
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ludlow
Across Shropshire council
Places available
3,420
Applications
2,582
Got 1st preference
97.4%
Got preferred school
99.8%
All primary applications across Shropshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
13
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
19.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
81
Total Pupils
39
Boys
42
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
6
Teachers
13.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£41,352
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,609
Per pupil
£588k
Total funding
£8k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.6%
Overall absence
10.7%
Persistent absence
75
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)
What are SATs results like at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Of the pupils at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 80% reached the expected standard in reading and 80% did so in maths.
What is Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)'s Ofsted rating?
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2023.
What is the catchment area for Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
No fixed boundary. When Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is oversubscribed, Shropshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) was not full in 2025: it ran at 72% of its 112 places.
How big are the classes at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Classes at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) average 20.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) has around 81 pupils on roll. 9% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
5.6% of sessions were missed at Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) in 2024/25. 10.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Apply through Shropshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Shropshire is 1 (the median across 187 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided)?
Bitterley CofE Primary School (Aided) is at Bitterley, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3HF.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)