East Cowton Church of England Primary School, Northallerton
East Cowton Church of England Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Northallerton, part of Dales Academies Trust. It has a Church of England religious character. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2026, ended in a report card: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2011. It was 50% full in 2025.
- Ofsted report card
- 6 of 7 areas strong or better
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to North Yorkshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
East Cowton Church of England Primary School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades East Cowton Church of England Primary 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.
Achievement - Strong standard. "As a result of the school's focus on foundational knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics, pupils across the school consistently achieve well."
Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils at East Cowton attend well, partly as a result of their love for being in school."
Early years - Strong standard. "Strategic leadership of early years is highly effective."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Pupils of all backgrounds are welcome in this highly inclusive school."
Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "With pupils' best interests at the forefront of their thinking, leaders have sought to strengthen the school's offer over time."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Despite being a very small school, East Cowton offers a wide range of opportunities and experience to pupils."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Since the previous inspection, leaders have taken swift, strategic action to improve the curriculums in school."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their work to embed elements of the writing curriculum and further improve teachers' assessments so that pupils use grammar, punctuation and spelling with increasing precision to further enhance the quality of their work".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Getting a place at East Cowton Church of England Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 9 families put East Cowton Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 8 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at East Cowton Church of England Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to East Cowton Church of England Primary School are North and South Cowton Community Primary School (1.6 miles, Good); Great Smeaton Academy Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths); Bolton-On-Swale St Mary's CofE Primary School (4.1 miles, Good, 93% reading, 93% maths); and Croft Church of England Primary School (4.4 miles, Good, 92% reading, 92% maths).
North and South Cowton Community Primary SchoolGreat Smeaton Academy Primary SchoolBolton-On-Swale St Mary's CofE Primary SchoolCroft Church of England Primary School
The trust
East Cowton Church of England Primary School is one of 15 schools run by Dales Academies Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
15.8% 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.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (8%).
In 2026, 9 pupils (23.7%) received SEN support and 1 (2.6%) 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.
Staffing
East Cowton Church of England Primary School had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 4 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of East Cowton Church of England Primary School.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Golden Acres (adjacent), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Yorkshire (9).
Suspensions and exclusions
East Cowton Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: 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 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at East Cowton Church of England Primary School
Pupils embody leaders' ambition to 'enable each child to flourish'. They live up to the school's high expectations for academic achievement and conduct. Pupils' excellent behaviour and attitudes to one another create an environment where pupils are safe and respected. Bullying is exceptionally rare. Pupils have every confidence that staff would deal with any issues swiftly and effectively. Pupils' attendance at school is also very positive. They love to come to school and be with their friends. Classrooms are alive with positive chatter about learning. Pupils have a hunger for learning. They build a secure and detailed base of knowledge and skills. Older pupils talk with confidence about Charles Darwin, evolution and adaptation. They make clear links between different curriculum subjects while doing so. Younger children in early years excitedly separate different animals into groups based on their characteristics. They use their knowledge to clearly articulate the most significant differences between turtles and tortoises, for example. As a result of highly effective work to remove barriers to learning, pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of education. They make compelling progress from their starting points. Pupils' achievement is often higher than national averages in terms of published outcomes. Whether enjoying paddleboarding sessions at a local lake or visiting a mosque, pupils get a range of opportunities they need to become confident individuals who develop well, both academically and culturally. They show a clear sense of morality, equality and acceptance of all. Pupils are fabulous ambassadors for their school. They benefit from highly positive relationships with staff. This helps to develop a welcoming and nurturing school community. There is a very clear sense of belonging in this very small rural school.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should continue their work to embed elements of the writing curriculum and further improve teachers' assessments so that pupils use grammar, punctuation and spelling with increasing precision to further enhance the quality of their work.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 7 July 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's July 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
East Cowton excels at making every child feel valued and special in a nurturing, inclusive environment. The school combines strong academic achievement in reading, writing and maths with excellent behaviour, high attendance and a wide range of enrichment activities. Staff are caring and approachable, creating a school where pupils love to learn and build meaningful knowledge across all subjects.
Key Strengths
- Pupils achieve well with impressive progress from their starting points, including those with special needs or disadvantages
- Exemplary behaviour and attendance, with a positive, respectful culture where bullying is not an issue
- Highly effective early years provision that prepares children exceptionally well for Year 1
- Strong inclusive practices that personalise support and remove barriers to learning for all groups
- Wide range of enrichment activities and experiences despite being a small school
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils do not consistently use grammar, punctuation and spelling with sufficient precision, with errors not always being systematically identified and addressed in teaching
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Gardening enterprises, charity work, cultural awareness activities including religious studies (Christianity and Judaism), water safety, farm safety, clubs and in-school activities
East Cowton Church of England Primary School is a small, highly inclusive school where pupils achieve well across reading, writing and mathematics. The school has made significant strides since its last inspection and maintains a nurturing, positive culture where all pupils thrive.
At a Glance
15.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
19.0
Avg class size
20.0
KS2
2
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with East Cowton Church of England Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to East Cowton Church of England Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. East Cowton Church of England Primary School is in North Yorkshire; for families living there:
Apply to North Yorkshire 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 North Yorkshire is 3 (the median across 382 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 East Cowton Church of England Primary School
Will you get a place at East Cowton Church of England Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against East Cowton Church of England Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for East Cowton Church of England Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to East Cowton Church of England Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from North Yorkshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at East Cowton Church of England Primary School for 2018 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in North Yorkshire 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
50%
Available places
28 pupils
56 places
28 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Northallerton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Northallerton
Across North Yorkshire council
Places available
7,127
Applications
5,052
Got 1st preference
95.6%
Got preferred school
98.8%
All primary applications across North Yorkshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
9
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
26.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
38
Total Pupils
25
Boys
13
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
7
Teachers
5.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,550
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£11,174
Per pupil
£382k
Total funding
£9k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.4%
Overall absence
3.8%
Persistent absence
26
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about East Cowton Church of England Primary School
What is East Cowton Church of England Primary School's Ofsted rating?
East Cowton Church of England Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2011, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When East Cowton Church of England Primary School is oversubscribed, North Yorkshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
East Cowton Church of England Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 50% of its 56 places.
How big are the classes at East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
Classes at East Cowton Church of England Primary School average 19 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
East Cowton Church of England Primary School has around 38 pupils on roll. 16% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
4.4% of sessions were missed at East Cowton Church of England Primary School in 2024/25. 3.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
Apply through North Yorkshire's coordinated admissions process, naming East Cowton Church of England Primary School 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 East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
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 North Yorkshire is 3 (the median across 382 schools, same distance and years).
Where is East Cowton Church of England Primary School?
East Cowton Church of England Primary School is at Golden Acres, East Cowton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 0BD.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)