Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery, Whitchurch

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a comprehensive and thoughtfully sequenced personal development programme that is woven throughout the curriculum."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Despite the challenges presented by the school's context, pupils progress successfully from their starting points, and attainment is improving over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have taken a structured and purposeful approach to improving pupils' attendance."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years experience a calm and nurturing environment where routines are clearly established."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders place inclusion at the heart of their work and ensure that staff know pupils as individuals."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and those responsible for governance work in close partnership and share a clear vision for the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have designed an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that enables pupils to experience a broad range of subjects."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to ensure that teachers effectively identify and address gaps in pupils' basic knowledge and skills in writing, so pupils further improve their spelling, handwriting and letter formation in a timely manner"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching across subjects consistently enables pupils to build on their prior learning, enabling pupils to apply their skills and knowledge consistently to deepen their understanding across the curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Tilstock Church of England Primary School and Nursery is part of the Marches Academy Trust led by CEO Sarah Finch. As part of the Trust, we believe in ‘achievement through caring’ by providing our pupils with a nurturing and vibrant learning environment for all to achieve their potential."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 40% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Shropshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 44% in reading and 44% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery as their first choice and 61 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery are Whitchurch CofE Infant and Nursery Academy (2.1 miles, Good); Whitchurch CofE Junior Academy (2.3 miles, Good, 61% reading, 64% maths); Prees CofE Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 70% reading, 80% maths); and Whixall CofE Primary School (3 miles, Good, 93% reading, 79% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery.

Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery is one of 18 schools run by Marches Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 48% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

3.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 23 pupils (18.7%) received SEN support and 1 (0.8%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

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

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Parish Rooms (opposite), 200 metres away.

In 2024/25, Tilstock CofE Primary and Nursery issued 2 suspensions, 1.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.