Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Thirsk

In its own words: "We seek to enable all children and adults at this school to be ‘rooted and grounded in Love’ (Ephesians 3:17*) so that they might grow to the fullness of their potential having ‘The Roots to Grow and The Wings to Fly’, and living lives of trust, compassion, respect and perseverance."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, swimming, choir and Lego.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care, from £5.50 per session.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 79% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in North Yorkshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 69% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 33 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Dishforth Airfield Community Primary School (1.5 miles, Outstanding, 80% reading, 90% maths); Topcliffe CofE Academy (2.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Kirby Hill Church of England (VC) Primary School (3 miles, Good, 93% reading, 86% maths); and Sharow Church of England Primary School (3.3 miles, Requires improvement, 69% reading, 31% maths).

Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

15 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (87%).

15.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 16 pupils (16.5%) received SEN support and 1 (1%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Back Lane (w-bound), 180 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).

Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.