All Saints' CofE Primary School, Ilkley Review 2026: Elite Academic Performance in Yorkshire's Dales

Nestled ten minutes' walk from All Saints Church in the picturesque town of Ilkley, this state-funded primary school commands impressive results that place it among the elite 2% of schools in England. With 96% of pupils reaching expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, these figures sit well above the England average of 62%, positioning All Saints firmly in the national elite tier (FindMySchool ranking). The school's scaled scores in reading (112) and mathematics (110) both exceed England averages of 100, reflecting consistent teaching quality and rigorous curriculum implementation. Oversubscribed at 2.43 applications per place, the school draws families from across the district who value its strong Christian foundation combined with academic excellence. Under the leadership of Headteacher Mrs Helen Dunn, who arrived in January 2023, the school is rated Good across all areas by Ofsted (December 2023), with particular strengths in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and personal development.

All Saints functions as a cohesive learning community where Christian values permeate daily life without dominating the secular curriculum. The school's motto, "Rooted in God's Love," captures this balance. Collective worship takes place weekly, led by staff from the adjacent All Saints Church, who teach Bible stories and Christian principles in accessible, engaging ways. The partnership between school and church is genuine; many pupils regard the church as "their" space, attending Christmas, Easter and Harvest services together.

The physical environment has evolved significantly. A major expansion completed in early 2022 provides additional teaching space and improved facilities. The Grade II listed building maintains period character while contemporary additions ensure functional, bright classrooms. Families appreciate the school's inclusive approach; pupils with both learning and physical difficulties are integral to everyday provision, supported by specialist staff alongside typical peers.

Mrs Dunn's arrival has reinforced a collaborative senior leadership structure. Teachers report feeling supported, particularly those in early career stages. The school manages mixed-age classes across year groups, a structural decision that encourages peer mentoring and individualised pacing. Parent engagement is strong, with the active PTA organising fundraising events and the school actively soliciting pupil voice to shape wider curriculum offerings.

Behaviour is calm and purposeful. The school's explicit focus on respect, responsibility and resilience shapes daily interactions. Pupils move around school corridors in orderly fashion and seem genuinely comfortable with staff. The council system (School Council, RE Council, Sports Council, Food Council, Eco Council) ensures pupils have agency in school decisions beyond the classroom.

Key Stage 2 Performance

The 2024 KS2 results reveal sustained excellence. 96% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% nationally. This 34%age point margin is substantial. Reading performance is particularly strong: 100% met expected standard with scaled scores averaging 112. Mathematics performance mirrors this, with 96% reaching expected standard at a scaled score of 110. Grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) reached 96% with a scaled score of 112. In science, 100% achieved expected standard.

Higher attainment figures are equally impressive. 65% achieved higher standards in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to 8% nationally. For individual subject high achievement: 66% in reading, 55% in mathematics, and 77% in GPS. These upper-quartile performances indicate not just curriculum breadth but genuine depth of understanding.

National Rankings

The school ranks 134th in England for primary performance, placing it in the elite tier (top 2%) nationally (FindMySchool data). Locally, it ranks first among Ilkley primary schools. This consistent outperformance suggests the school's success is neither anomalous nor driven by cohort advantage alone; the teaching, curriculum and pastoral systems all contribute.

Teaching follows clear structures with high expectations. Phonics is taught explicitly in Reception and Year 1 using systematic approaches. Reading progresses through guided group sessions and independent comprehension, with early intervention deployed for pupils who struggle with decoding or fluency. Teachers have strong subject knowledge; inspection observations confirm they explain concepts clearly and check pupil understanding regularly.

Mathematics is taught with emphasis on retrieval and procedural fluency before conceptual application. Pupils practice mathematical reasoning through problem-solving tasks aligned to depth of understanding rather than mere computation speed. The curriculum is broad: pupils encounter English, mathematics, science, humanities (history and geography), design technology, art, music, PE and RE.

The school's wider curriculum balances subject-specific expertise with creative integration. Pupils benefit from specialist peripatetic music teaching through external providers, supporting curriculum music lessons. Foreign language instruction (French) begins in Year 1, delivered by specialist staff. Computing integrates across subjects and includes dedicated computing lessons.

Teachers value the school's supportive ethos, particularly those early in career. However, Ofsted noted that consistency in curriculum implementation requires further development; some newer curriculum areas benefit from additional staff training to ensure comparable quality across all classes.

Primary school leavers typically transition to secondary schools across Bradford and surrounding districts. The locality includes both selective grammar schools (Ilkley Grammar School sits 1.5km away) and comprehensive secondary provision. Many families pursue selective entry, supported by the school's strong results and teaching. The school provides 11+ familiarisation activities but does not offer intensive grammar school preparation, reflecting its position as a comprehensive primary serving the community.

Extracurricular life is rich and diverse. Each term, the school advertises a range of after-school clubs. Recent terms have offered sports (football, netball, multi-skills), creative pursuits (drama, art), academic enrichment (coding, archaeology, French), and practical activities (cooking). Clubs rotate termly, enabling pupils to sample different interests without single-option restrictions. The number of clubs typically exceeds demand, allowing parental choice.

Music is central to school life. Beyond curriculum music lessons, pupils access instrumental tuition from multiple external providers. Bradford Music and Arts Service provides classical tuition (piano, keyboard, violin, acoustic guitar, vocals). Music for Schools Foundation specialises in traditional ensemble instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, cornet, brass). Learn to Rock offers contemporary popular music tuition (drums, electric guitar, keyboard, vocal coaching). Rocksteady enables ensemble learning across all these instruments, allowing children to learn as part of a band from outset.

The school's music groups draw from these lesson relationships. A chapel choir performs at school events and church services. Orchestra, smaller ensembles, and informal performance opportunities create pathways from individual lessons to collaborative musicmaking. Peripatetic staff visit school each week; parents contract directly with providers and pay separately, enabling choice without financial gatekeeping.

Physical education is compulsory. The playground includes play apparatus and designated sports areas. The school participates in cross-country events, hosting and attending fixtures at Ashlands Primary. Sports premium funding supports staff training in curriculum delivery and competitive opportunities. The Sports Council, staffed by pupil representatives, shapes PE provision based on child voice.

Drama features prominently. Class assemblies showcase learning and creative expression. Whole-school productions at Christmas involve significant cast numbers and require substantial rehearsal, building confidence and collaborative skills. Art spans traditional media (painting, drawing, sculpture, clay) and contemporary approaches (collage, mixed media, digital).

The school's house system divides pupils for pastoral and competitive purposes. Named houses create belonging whilst fostering friendly competition during sports days, quiz events and other assemblies. This structure is particularly valued in mixed-age classes, enabling cross-year relationships and mentoring.

STEM learning integrates science, technology, design and engineering. Computing sessions teach coding concepts, keyboard skills and digital citizenship. Science lessons combine hands-on experimentation (required in primary at statutory level) with observation and recording. Design technology projects require pupils to design, build and evaluate practical solutions.

Leadership is embedded throughout. School Council enables pupils to shape decisions on facilities, activities and school life. RE Council explores religious and philosophical questions. Eco Council drives sustainability initiatives. Food Council influences menus and healthy eating. Pupil leadership builds agency and responsibility.

The school's inclusive approach to wider activities matters. Pupils with SEN participate fully in after-school clubs with appropriate support. No child is excluded from extracurricular offer due to additional need or cost constraint. The school strategically deploys sports premium and pupil premium funding to remove barriers.

Admissions are coordinated by Bradford Local Authority using standard state school procedures. Reception entry is by birth year (September 2018 to August 2019 cohort for autumn 2024 entry). Applications are made through the LA by 15 January for September entry. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, 90 applications were received for 37 Reception places, yielding a ratio of 2.43:1. After looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, places are allocated by distance. No formal catchment boundary exists, though strong local demand means the furthest admitted pupils typically live within walking distance of Easby Drive.

The oversubscription reflects the school's reputation, Christian character and academic results. Families in the wider district prioritise All Saints, sometimes relocating house purchases to secure proximity. Parents considering entry should verify current distance criteria before relying on a place.

The school takes pastoral support seriously. Every pupil belongs to a class with a dedicated class teacher and teaching assistant. The SENCO coordinates support for approximately 45 pupils on the SEN register, liaising with parents, external agencies and staff to ensure appropriate adaptations and specialist advice. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting whole-school commitment to accessible education.

A trained counsellor visits school weekly, available for pupils needing additional emotional support. Mental health and wellbeing are positioned centrally; the school recognises that learning requires emotional safety. Staff manage behaviour through clear expectations and restorative approaches, addressing occasional incidents of unkindness reported in recent inspection feedback.

Early identification of need is prioritised. Reading interventions begin promptly for pupils below age-related expectations. Phonics screening in Year 1 (statutory) identifies those requiring intensive support. Maths catch-up programmes support pupils struggling with procedural fluency or conceptual understanding. These targeted interventions sit alongside universal quality-first teaching, ensuring all pupils benefit from excellent curriculum delivery.

Parent partnerships are valued. The school communicates regularly through newsletters and invites parental involvement in decisions affecting children's learning. Attendance is monitored; the school works with families to resolve barriers to regular attendance.

School hours run 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school operates a before-school club (Little Saints), open from 7:45am, and an after-school club, operating until 6:00pm. Breakfast club provides affordable early supervision; after-school care offers homework support and recreational activities. Holiday club operates during main school holidays, providing continuity for working parents. These wraparound services are managed by school staff, ensuring consistent safeguarding and pastoral care.

Ilkley railway station is approximately 1.5km away, served by trains to Leeds and other destinations. Bus services connect the town to Bradford and surrounding areas. The school's location on Easby Drive is accessible via main roads and local walking routes; parking exists near school, though congestion occurs at peak drop-off and collection times. Many local families walk or cycle, reflecting Ilkley's compact geography.

Oversubscription and distance criteria. With 2.43 applications per place, securing admission requires proximity to school. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify current distance thresholds before relying on allocation. Parents using the FindMySchoolMap Search can check their precise distance from Easby Drive relative to the last distance offered.

Mixed-age classes. The school uses mixed-age groupings across year groups in some cohorts. Whilst this enables peer mentoring and individualised pacing, families should understand how teaching is differentiated for different year groups within single classrooms. This structure suits independent learners and works less well for pupils requiring frequent whole-class input.

Church of England character. The school's Christian ethos is genuine and pervasive. Weekly collective worship, RE curriculum rooted in church teaching, and chapel services for key events are standard practice. Families uncomfortable with religious observance should carefully consider fit. However, the school serves all faiths and none; pupils of different backgrounds are included, not excluded.

Earlier Ofsted was Outstanding. Previous inspections (2007 and 2009) rated Outstanding. The December 2023 judgment of Good reflects changed Ofsted frameworks and rising national standards. The school remains high-performing, but families should note the rating change and discuss with school staff what has shifted pedagogically.

All Saints delivers excellent primary education in a supportive, values-based environment. The elite national rankings, consistently strong KS2 results and rigorous teaching place it among England's highest-performing state primaries. The Christian character is woven through without alienating secular families. Extracurricular provision is broad, inclusive and well-resourced. Leadership is stable and forward-thinking. Best suited to families within reasonable distance who value academic rigour, inclusive practice and strong pastoral care. The main barrier to entry is the highly competitive admissions process; families must be geographically close to secure places. For those who gain admission, the educational experience is excellent.