Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Elite Performance in a Rural Haven

Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School may be small, with a capacity of just 52 pupils, but its academic footprint is immense. Situated in the quiet village of Eppleby near Richmond, this rural school operates as part of a Federation alongside Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary School. Its 2024 Key Stage 2 results are nothing short of extraordinary, placing the school in the elite tier of primary providers in England.

The school serves a close-knit community across the North Yorkshire and County Durham border. Under the leadership of Executive Headteacher Mrs Debbie McLean, who has been in post since 2018, the school has transitioned into the Dales Academies Trust. This move has allowed the small site to benefit from wider resources while maintaining the intimate, family-focused atmosphere that defines a village school. For families seeking a setting where every child is visible and academic standards are uncompromisingly high, Eppleby Forcett represents a premier choice in the Richmond area.

The school occupies a traditional village building that serves as the heart of the Eppleby community. With such small year groups (currently 36 pupils enrolled), the atmosphere is inherently nurturing; pupils of different ages interact naturally, fostering a sense of responsibility in older children and confidence in the younger ones. The Christian ethos is pervasive but inclusive, focused on the core values of endurance, friendship, and respect.

Because the school is part of a federation, pupils often share experiences with their peers at Middleton Tyas. This arrangement provides the best of both worlds for a small school: a quiet, secure home base in Eppleby for the younger years and early primary education, paired with the social breadth and competitive opportunities of a larger group. The latest inspection, published in early 2024, described a calm and purposeful environment where pupils feel safe and highly valued by staff.

The academic data for Eppleby Forcett is standout. In the most recent 2024 assessments, 100% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%. Even more impressive is the depth of learning; 56% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, dwarfing the England average of 8%.

The school ranks 222nd in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the position of 1st among all primary schools in the Richmond area. This places Eppleby Forcett in the elite tier, representing the top 2% of schools in England.

Average scaled scores further confirm this dominance. The school achieved a score of 111 in reading and 111 in mathematics, both well above the England baseline of 100. Such figures suggest that the small class sizes allow for a level of individualised attention that is difficult to replicate in larger urban primaries.

Teaching at Eppleby Forcett is characterised by high expectations and a tailored curriculum. Because of the small cohort sizes, teachers have an intimate understanding of each pupil's progress and can adapt lessons in real time. The curriculum is ambitious, particularly in core subjects, which is reflected in the fact that two-thirds of pupils achieved high scores in reading and maths.

Science is another area of strength, with 100% of pupils reaching the expected standard, compared to 82% in England. The school uses its rural location to enrich the curriculum, incorporating Forest School sessions where children can explore the natural world. Specialist support from the Dales Academies Trust ensures that even as a small school, pupils have access to high-quality resources and expertise in subjects like physical education and music.

Nursery Provision

Eppleby Forcett provides integrated nursery provision, welcoming children from the age of two. This early entry point is crucial for the school's community feel, allowing practitioners to build relationships with families years before formal schooling begins. The early years setting focuses on play-based learning within a structured environment, ensuring children are exceptionally well-prepared for the transition to Reception.

The nursery environment is designed to be a gentle introduction to the school’s Christian values. For current nursery fee details, parents should visit the school website directly. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; parents can refer to our guide to nursery funding for further information on how to apply these credits.

Fees & Financial Aid

Eppleby Forcett is a state-funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees for primary education from Reception through Year 6. As a part of the Dales Academies Trust, the school receives its funding directly from the government.

Parents should be aware of some associated costs for optional services and activities:

• Wraparound Care: Breakfast club (8:00am to 9:00am) is charged at £6.00 per session. After-school club (until 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, 5:00pm on Friday) is based on a rate of £6.00 per hour.
• School Lunches: While Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 children receive universal free school meals, preschool children are charged £2.30 per meal.
• Financial Assistance: Disadvantaged pupils may be eligible for Pupil Premium funding, which the school can use to support access to wraparound care and school trips.

Admissions are coordinated by North Yorkshire Council. Despite its rural location, the school is currently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 18 applications for just 7 available places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.57. This means for every child admitted, nearly two others were turned away.

The usual catchment area includes Eppleby, Forcett, Caldwell, Cleasby, Manfield, and Cliffe. Parents interested in securing a place should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their distance from the school gates relative to the village boundaries. The deadline for Reception applications is 15 January 2026.

Pastoral care is a natural strength of a school with fewer than 40 pupils. Staff know not only every pupil but often their extended families as well. The small scale means that any changes in a child’s wellbeing are noticed immediately. The school operates as a safe harbour, where the transition from nursery through to the end of early primary education is managed with extreme care.

The 2024 inspection report confirmed that pupils' behavior and attitudes are outstanding. Bullying is reported to be rare, and when it does occur, the school's small size allows for rapid and effective resolution.

The school makes excellent use of its federation links to provide extracurricular depth. Pupils participate in sports festivals, residential trips, and joint choir performances with Middleton Tyas. Within the Eppleby site, the focus is on creative play and community involvement.

One of the highlights of the school year is the Forest School programme, which fosters resilience and independence. The school also participates in the Dales Academies Trust sporting events, allowing pupils to compete at a higher level than a standalone small school typically could.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:00pm for Reception and preschool children. Breakfast club starts at 8:00am, and after-school provision is available until 5:30pm (5:00pm on Fridays).

Transport in this rural area is a key consideration. The school contracts a bus company to transport catchment children between the Eppleby and Middleton Tyas sites, ensuring access to the full range of federation facilities.

• Small Cohort Dynamics: With such small year groups, the social circle is limited. While this creates a family feel, it may not suit children who thrive in larger, more diverse social environments.
• Federation Structure: Pupils typically move between the Eppleby and Middleton Tyas sites depending on their year group. This requires families to be comfortable with a split-site educational journey.
• Highly Oversubscribed: With 2.57 applications for every place, entry is fiercely competitive. Families moving into the area specifically for the school should verify the likelihood of a mid-year place, which is often low.
• Rural Setting: The school is a classic village institution. While this offers a peaceful learning environment, it lacks the immediate proximity to urban facilities found in larger towns like Darlington or Richmond.

Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary is an academic powerhouse disguised as a quiet village school. It offers an elite level of education, ranking among the top 2% of schools in England, while maintaining a deeply nurturing, faith-based atmosphere. It is best suited to families seeking a small, secure environment where academic excellence is the standard rather than the goal. The main challenge for parents is simply securing one of the very few places available each year.