Whitchurch CofE Primary School, Ross-on-Wye
Whitchurch CofE Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Ross-on-Wye. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2012. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 8th-highest of the 11 schools in Ross-on-Wye with published results, and 9,396th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 106% of capacity.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2012)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Herefordshire, County of (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Whitchurch CofE Primary School in detail
Whitchurch CofE Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "The unity of the River Wye Federation combines our unique Church of England Primary Schools; Whitchurch and Weston-under-Penyard. Whilst each school flourishes with individual character, context and community, we share high aspirations for every child, aiming to ' future-proof ' them with the strength to thrive in a phenomenally fast-moving world."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at Whitchurch CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Herefordshire, County of; and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 96% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Whitchurch CofE Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Whitchurch CofE Primary School as their first choice and 27 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Whitchurch CofE Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Whitchurch CofE Primary School are Goodrich CofE Primary School (1.7 miles, 92% reading, 83% maths); Llangrove CE Academy (1.9 miles, Good, 82% reading, 64% maths); English Bicknor Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths); and Walford Nursery & Primary School (3.3 miles, Outstanding, 92% reading, 92% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Whitchurch CofE Primary School.
Goodrich CofE Primary SchoolLlangrove CE AcademyEnglish Bicknor Church of England Primary SchoolWalford Nursery & Primary School
What parents say
42 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Whitchurch CofE Primary School (as of September 2025): 79% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).
Who goes there
0.8% 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, 8 pupils (6.3%) received SEN support and 2 (1.6%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
Staffing
Whitchurch CofE Primary School had 10 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 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 Whitchurch CofE Primary School.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Roundabout (se-bound), 40 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
Whitchurch CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from October 2012, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This school creates a welcoming environment where every child is valued and supported. The early years provision is particularly exceptional, giving young children a brilliant start with a focus on developing their language and learning habits. The school has high expectations and teaches reading exceptionally well, with a consistent approach to phonics that helps all children, including those needing extra support, to read fluently.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding early years provision that gives children an excellent start and develops their independence and communication skills
- Strong reading programme with consistent phonics teaching and well-matched books that help pupils read fluently
- Quick identification of pupils' needs, especially those with SEND, who receive tailored support and access the same curriculum as their peers
- Well-sequenced, broad and ambitious curriculum that encourages pupils' curiosity and builds resilience
- Strong relationships and safe environment where pupils feel confident to share worries with trusted adults
Areas for Improvement
- Some misconceptions in learning are not addressed quickly enough, leading to repeated errors or misunderstandings
- Curriculum implementation in some subjects is inconsistent, preventing pupils from making connections between their learning
- Checks on pupils' learning are not always effective, meaning some pupils don't receive feedback they need to correct mistakes
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with strong relationships between adults and pupils and a culture of support and kindness.
Extracurricular Activities
Parliament School leadership roles, before- and after-school club
Whitchurch CofE Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school with high expectations where pupils achieve well. The school has been judged as Good across quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, with outstanding early years provision.
At a Glance
0.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
42 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 96% to 65% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 80% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 61% to 75% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.4
Avg class size
28.0
Infant (KS1)
23.3
KS2
5
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Whitchurch CofE Primary School
Before and after school care
Whitchurch CofE Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Herefordshire, County of
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Whitchurch CofE Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Whitchurch CofE Primary School is in Herefordshire, County of; for families living there:
- Herefordshire, County of's school travel policy: School transport policy
- How to apply: Apply for school transport
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 3
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 2 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Herefordshire, County of is 2 (the median across 115 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 Whitchurch CofE Primary School
Will you get a place at Whitchurch CofE Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Whitchurch CofE Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Whitchurch CofE Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Whitchurch CofE Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Herefordshire, County of, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Whitchurch CofE Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Herefordshire, County of 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
106%
Over capacity
133 pupils
126 places
7 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Ross-on-Wye
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ross-on-Wye
Across Herefordshire, County of council
Places available
2,131
Applications
1,553
Got 1st preference
96.3%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All primary applications across Herefordshire, County of council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
8
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
7.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
127
Total Pupils
56
Boys
71
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
12.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£46,933
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,349
Per pupil
£782k
Total funding
£6k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.1%
Overall absence
1.7%
Persistent absence
117
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Whitchurch CofE Primary School
What are SATs results like at Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Of the pupils at Whitchurch CofE Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 65% reached the expected standard in reading and 80% did so in maths.
What is Whitchurch CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Whitchurch CofE Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2012, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Whitchurch CofE Primary School is oversubscribed, Herefordshire, County of allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Whitchurch CofE Primary School was full in 2025, at 106% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Classes at Whitchurch CofE Primary School average 25.4 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Whitchurch CofE Primary School has around 127 pupils on roll. 1% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
3.1% of sessions were missed at Whitchurch CofE Primary School in 2024/25. 1.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Apply through Herefordshire, County of's coordinated admissions process, naming Whitchurch CofE 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.
Does Whitchurch CofE Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Whitchurch CofE Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school.
How many road collisions happen near Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 3 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 2 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Herefordshire, County of is 2 (the median across 115 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Whitchurch CofE Primary School?
Whitchurch CofE Primary School is at Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6DA.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)