Church of England voluntary aided school in the North Yorkshire market town of Masham, serving 71 pupils aged four to eleven across three mixed-age classes. Founded in 1819, the school's long history contrasts sharply with its current challenges. Following a January 2024 Ofsted inspection, Masham was rated Inadequate, signaling that pupils are not receiving an acceptable standard of education. The school is now under special measures, working towards improvement with support from the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust and the Diocese of Leeds. Parents should understand that substantial change is underway, but the school remains a work in progress.
Masham is a compact, rural primary occupying a building that has been enlarged and refurbished several times since its Victorian origins. The most recent investment came in 2011, reflecting the school's commitment to maintaining its physical environment. The site features four classrooms, a computer suite, a school hall, and grounds that extend to a wilderness play area and recreation ground, providing outdoor spaces for learning beyond the classroom walls.
The school's motto, One Body, Many Parts (1 Corinthians 12), reflects its Christian character as a Church of England school. The underlying vision emphasizes the development of minds, spirits, and bodies in an atmosphere where pupils learn to care and share. However, the Ofsted inspection identified that this aspirational vision has not been fully translated into consistent classroom practice. Pupils are described as articulate and polite, often confident in expressing themselves, yet the inspection found that on occasions, misbehaviour in lessons is not managed consistently well enough to prevent learning disruption.
Staffing instability over recent years has significantly impacted the school. There have been substantial changes in the teaching team in the past two years, which Ofsted identified as a key factor complicating school improvement efforts. Under the leadership of Head Teacher Mrs. Fiona Lawson-Ross, the school is now working with the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, a multi-academy trust founded in 2015 and based in the Harrogate and Craven areas. This partnership represents a deliberate move to access external expertise and support for turnaround.
Early years provision (Reception and Year 1) has been a focus for recent improvement. The Ofsted inspection noted that recent changes have improved the learning environment, with children following established routines and staff beginning to develop a stronger curriculum. However, the report also highlighted that the impact of poor experiences in the early years continues to affect older pupils' access to learning across all curriculum areas.
Approximately 53% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics at Key Stage 2, according to recent data. This figure sits well below the national expectation and represents a significant concern for pupil progress. The Ofsted inspection identified weaknesses in reading and mathematics performance throughout the school as a central issue.
The January 2024 Ofsted report highlighted that although a phonics programme is in place, delivery is inconsistent across year groups. Pupils are not learning to read quickly enough in some classes, and those who have fallen behind with their reading do not receive the precise support needed to improve. Because reading underpins access to learning across all curriculum areas, this weakness has cascading effects on pupils' ability to engage with other subjects.
The mathematics curriculum is not being consistently followed across the school. The report specifically noted that it does not meet the needs of pupils in mixed-age classes, and the teaching sequence in some classes is disjointed, with lesson content jumping from one concept to another. This means pupils do not learn important mathematical knowledge securely, leaving them unprepared for more advanced work in secondary school.
The curriculum structure presents ongoing challenges. Ofsted found that whilst the school has identified some long-term weaknesses, it has struggled to address them effectively. The quality of education that pupils receive has not been checked well enough over time, which has allowed fundamental problems to persist.
The school does not provide the training, time, or support needed to enable support plans for pupils with SEND to be implemented effectively. This means that pupils with additional needs do not consistently develop the knowledge and skills they require. Expectations of pupils' behaviour are inconsistent across the school; whilst pupils are generally polite and respectful towards staff, low-level disruption in some classes is not addressed with sufficient consistency, making it difficult to determine how well the behaviour policy is actually working.
On a more positive note, in Years 5 and 6, pupils enjoy reading books carefully selected to reflect diversity and stories from different cultures. Knowledge of major world religions and understanding of fundamental British values are being developed well. The school provides educational visits and community events, and pupils value the pastoral support available from staff.
The school participates in the Gabrieli Roar music initiative, an ambitious national programme led by artistic director Paul McCreesh that brings together choirs from secondary schools and primary schools across the UK. Masham CE Primary School Choir was featured among 15 local choirs participating in 'A Grand Georgian Christmas' at York Minster in December 2024, performing alongside professional musicians. The programme is designed to be transformational, enabling young singers with no classical training to perform alongside professional ensembles and discover the brilliance of classical music from within.
According to the Ofsted inspection, pupils enjoy participating in school clubs, including chess and multi-skills. Participation in clubs provides opportunities for pupils to develop interests beyond the formal curriculum.
Pupils spoken to during inspection valued the pastoral support available in school from a wide range of staff. Many feel they can turn to any adult in the school if they have concerns. Some pupils take responsibility for different jobs in school, such as leading playtime sports or serving as school councillors, which helps develop their sense of responsibility and leadership.
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, providing a protective framework around all pupils.
The school operates a standard primary day with dedicated teaching time.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Admissions are coordinated by North Yorkshire Local Authority. Contact the school directly for enquiries.
The school offers wrap-around care both on-site and through a local provider, supporting working families with before-school and after-school supervision.
The school is located at 1 Millgate, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4EG. The market town of Masham is in the Harrogate area, with the school serving the local community and children from the surrounding rural areas.
The Inadequate Rating and Special Measures: In January 2024, Ofsted rated Masham CofE Primary School as Inadequate, meaning it requires special measures. The school is failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education, and the persons responsible for leading, managing, or governing the school have not demonstrated the capacity to secure rapid improvement. This is a serious judgment. Ofsted noted that the school may not appoint early career teachers before the next monitoring inspection, which will occur following a period of external support. Families considering this school should understand that the school is actively working to improve, but substantial changes are needed.
Curriculum Coherence: Reading and mathematics are areas of significant weakness. The curriculum lacks the coherence and consistent implementation needed to ensure pupils build secure knowledge over time. This is beginning to improve in the early years, but the broader curriculum across the school requires substantial restructuring.
Staffing Turbulence: The school has experienced significant staffing changes over the past two years. Whilst this is not uncommon in rural schools serving smaller communities, it has complicated the school's ability to implement consistent teaching approaches and build on previous progress.
Mixed-Age Teaching: The school operates mixed-age classes, which can be beneficial for peer learning but requires very carefully planned curriculum differentiation. The inspection found that the mathematics curriculum does not meet the needs of mixed-age groups, suggesting parents should understand that this structure presents challenges the school is still working to resolve.
Early Years Impact: Children in the early years are beginning to receive improved provision, but the legacy of previous inadequacy continues to affect older pupils. Families enrolling children now should monitor whether improvements translate into better learning experiences.
Masham CofE Primary School is a school in transition, facing documented challenges but actively working towards improvement with external support. The Inadequate rating is serious and reflects real concerns about curriculum quality, teaching consistency, and pupil progress. However, the school is not giving up; recent changes in leadership and the involvement of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust represent genuine attempts to drive change. The early years improvements are a positive sign.
This school is best considered by families who are prepared to engage closely with school leadership, understand the challenges, and believe in the potential for turnaround with sustained effort. It is not a school to choose without careful consideration of alternatives in the local area. The next monitoring inspection will be critical in determining whether the school is making genuine progress towards a sustained improvement. Families should visit, speak to the headteacher, and honestly assess whether they believe the school's improvement trajectory and their own tolerance for working with a school under special measures. For some families, particularly those within the immediate catchment who are committed to supporting the school's journey, Masham may represent an opportunity to be part of meaningful change. For others, alternative provision in nearby market towns or Ripon itself may offer greater educational certainty.
Masham CofE Primary School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in January 2024. This means the school is not currently providing an acceptable standard of education. However, the school is under special measures and working actively with the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust towards improvement. Key Stage 2 results show approximately 53% of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, which is below national expectations.
Ofsted identified multiple areas of concern. The curriculum, particularly in reading and mathematics, is not implemented consistently or effectively. Reading delivery through phonics is inconsistent, and pupils who have fallen behind do not receive the targeted support needed to catch up. Mathematics teaching is disjointed in some classes, with gaps in pupils' knowledge. Additionally, behaviour expectations are inconsistent across the school, and pupils with SEND do not consistently receive adequate support to implement their individual plans. Staffing instability over recent years complicated improvement efforts.
The school has begun to show signs of positive change, particularly in early years provision, where recent curriculum development is improving children's experiences. The school is now part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, providing access to external expertise and support. However, Ofsted noted that the school's capacity for rapid improvement was previously limited, and sustained effort will be needed to address the identified weaknesses before the next monitoring inspection.
The school was last rated Good by Ofsted in July 2019. The subsequent Ofsted inspection in January 2024 found that the school had not maintained this standard, identifying significant weaknesses in curriculum implementation, teaching consistency, and pupil progress that had not been adequately identified or addressed through school self-evaluation. Staffing changes and a lack of effective quality assurance contributed to this decline.
Pupils have the opportunity to participate in the Masham CE Primary School Choir, which participates in the Gabrieli Roar programme. This is an ambitious national initiative through which pupil choirs perform alongside professional musicians and leading composers. The school choir participated in 'A Grand Georgian Christmas' at York Minster in December 2024, performing classical music in this prestigious setting.
The school operates three mixed-age classes: Swinney Class, Burn Class, and Cover Class. Ofsted noted that the mathematics curriculum does not adequately meet the needs of mixed-age grouping, which has contributed to inconsistency in pupils' learning. Curriculum differentiation in mixed-age settings requires very careful planning to ensure pupils at different levels progress at an appropriate pace. Parents should understand this is an ongoing area of development for the school.
The school is a Church of England voluntary aided school under the Diocese of Leeds. Its Christian vision emphasizes developing pupils' minds, spirits, and bodies within a caring, forgiving, and kind community. One Body, Many Parts (1 Corinthians 12) is the school's motto, reflecting the idea that each person has a special talent and role to play. The school integrates Christian values throughout its curriculum and provides religious education aligned with Church of England perspectives.
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