Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Otley

In its own words: "We have a governor with specific responsibility for SEND, Claire Kirk, who accesses specialist SEND governor training. She plays an active role in ensuring that the school fulfils its responsibilities, meeting at least once each term with the SENDCO and reporting to the full governing body."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Every person in our school community has been made in the image of God and is loved unconditionally by God. Everyone is equal and we treat each other with dignity and respect. Our school is a place where everyone should be able to flourish in a loving and hospitable community."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include basketball, multi-sports, drama, choir, Lego, STEM, cooking, art and forest school.

The school runs after-school care, from £7.50 per session.

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Leeds and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 86% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 64 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 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 Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Bramhope Primary School (1.4 miles, Outstanding, 95% reading, 84% maths); Otley All Saints CofE Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 84% reading, 84% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Otley (2.9 miles, Good, 75% reading, 83% maths); and Cookridge Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School (3 miles, Good, 88% reading, 92% maths).

Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 78% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 58% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (58%).

8.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (88%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 26 pupils (15.5%) received SEN support and 3 (1.8%) 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.

Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 12 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Weeton Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stonedale Close (at), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Pool-in-Wharfedale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Leeds (229).

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