Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School, Whitby

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have established positive relationships with parents and carers."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have expertly planned the curriculum to account for mixed age group teaching."

Early years - Strong standard. "The provision for early years is as precisely planned as the rest of the curriculum."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "This is a highly inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive, nurturing and caring culture at the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The programme of personal development is well designed and sequenced building progressively from the start of Reception to the end of Year 6."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who are disadvantaged, typically achieve well at the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their work to ensure that the changes to the mathematics curriculum lead to an improvement in pupils' achievement in mathematics".

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care.

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School reached the expected standard in reading and 57% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in North Yorkshire and 77% and 75% across England.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 9 families put Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School as their first choice and 18 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School are Castleton Primary School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 88% reading, 63% maths); and Lealholm Primary School (3.8 miles, Good).

11.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 7 pupils (15.9%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Danby Rail Station, about 930 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ainthorpe Lane (ne-bound), 390 metres away.

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 North Yorkshire (9).

Danby Church of England Voluntary Aided School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.