Stokesay Primary School, Craven Arms

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Stokesay Primary School on 7 areas: 1 exceptional and 6 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Exceptional. "Leaders' actions have had a transformational impact on pupils' achievement."

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils make excellent progress as they move through the carefully planned and well-sequenced curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders take a strategic and compassionate approach to attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders provide clear and confident strategic leadership of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Strong standard. "Early years provision at Stokesay is built on confident, passionate and caring leadership."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders provide strategic leadership that keeps pupils' best interests at the heart of all decision-making."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders provide clear and thoughtful leadership of personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and those responsible for governance should continue to strengthen and refine their work across all areas, ensuring that improvements are sustainable over time so that they continue to have a transformational impact on outcomes for all pupils".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Stokesay Primary School we aim to support and raise aspirations and the self-belief of our children through an ‘I can, We can’ attitude. We provide a safe, happy and nurturing environment for every child to develop and succeed. We believe in building strong, positive relationships between pupils, parents, staff, governors and the community."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Stokesay Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Shropshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 93% in reading and 87% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Stokesay Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 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 Stokesay Primary School are Wistanstow CofE Primary School (1.9 miles, Good, 50% reading, 40% maths); Onny CofE (A) Primary School (2.5 miles, 50% reading, 50% maths); Clunbury CofE Primary School (4.1 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); and Corvedale CofE Primary School (4.9 miles, Good, 64% reading, 79% maths).

Stokesay Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Stokesay Primary School is one of 9 schools run by Trusted Schools Alliance, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 73% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

In 2026, 15 pupils (10%) received SEN support and 5 (3.3%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Stokesay Primary School had 9 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 Craven Arms Rail Station, about 460 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Secret Hills Discovery Centre (adjacent), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 20 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Shropshire (10), as is usual near a town centre.

Stokesay Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.