Nun Monkton Primary Foundation School Review 2026: Elite primary results with a distinctive outdoor programme

A very small village school with three mixed-age classes and an unusually strong set of Key Stage 2 outcomes. Performance sits among the highest-performing primary schools in England, with 86% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics in 2024 (England average: 62%). Alongside the academic picture, the school’s identity is shaped by weekly Forest School sessions for every year group, including a regular walk to a woodland setting that now includes a permanent wooden classroom.

Leadership is currently under Mrs Lauren Evans, Interim Executive Headteacher, appointed from September 2025.

The latest Ofsted inspection (25 November 2021) confirmed the school remained Good and judged safeguarding effective.

This is a school built around small numbers and close relationships. The public-facing tone is confident about calm behaviour and shared expectations, and the structure supports it: pupils spend much of the day in mixed-age groupings, with older children routinely learning alongside, and helping, younger ones. In the 2021 inspection narrative, pupils were described as proud of their school, with excellent behaviour contributing to a calm environment and focused learning.

The school’s own language also stresses belonging and participation in village life. That shows up in the rhythm of the year, from community events to performances, and it will appeal to families who value a “small school, big role locally” feel. The trade-off is that it is not the setting for anonymity, or for children who prefer a large peer group; everyone is known, and the social dynamics can feel intense because of that.

Nursery provision is integrated into the early years space rather than separated off. Nursery children share a class area with Reception and Year 1, supported by a strong staffing approach for the youngest pupils, and the school emphasises gentle, practical introduction to early phonics, reading and maths so that children are ready for Reception.

The headline here is Key Stage 2 attainment. In 2024, 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 52.33% achieved greater depth, compared with the England average of 8%. Reading (113), mathematics (108), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (111) scaled scores are also well above typical benchmarks.

Rankings back up the impression of a high-performing small school. Ranked 293rd in England and 3rd in York for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), this places it among the highest-performing in England (top 2%).

It is worth reading those figures in context. With a small cohort, year-on-year results can move more than in a large two-form entry school, because a handful of pupils can shift percentages materially. The upside is responsiveness and close tracking; the challenge is that headline percentages can look dramatic in either direction across different years.

The curriculum is positioned as the full National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage, plus school-specific enrichment described as “Nun Monkton Plus”. The most distinctive element is outdoor learning: every year group takes part in weekly Forest School sessions in a woodland setting about a mile’s walk from school, and the school notes this operates in most weather conditions with appropriate clothing expected. The woodland site includes a permanent wooden classroom, making it possible to extend learning outdoors without relying on fair weather.

Reading is treated as a core priority. The school states it uses Little Wandle as its phonics scheme, with matched reading books in early years and Key Stage 1, and continued use of catch-up resources in Key Stage 2 where appropriate. In practice, that tends to suit children who thrive on structured routines and frequent practice, and it is helpful for parents who want a clearly defined approach rather than a loose “pick what works” model.

Physical education is delivered through a combination of specialist coaching and staff-led provision, and the curriculum description is unusually specific about the breadth covered, including outdoor adventurous activities and a strong link between physical activity and confidence. The school also highlights performance traditions such as country and Maypole dancing for the Village Feast Day, which gives cultural continuity across year groups rather than treating performances as one-off add-ons.

As a village primary, transition is typically shaped by North Yorkshire secondary catchments and transport routes. Families are advised to use North Yorkshire Council’s catchment map tool to confirm their designated secondary school, because the nearest school “as the crow flies” is not always the catchment school.

One clear local pathway is Boroughbridge High School, supported by a dedicated school service listed as running from Nun Monkton to Boroughbridge High School. That transport link is a practical indicator of a common transition route for at least some families in the village.

For pupils, the preparation for Year 7 is likely to benefit from the school’s emphasis on reading fluency, structured maths teaching, and the confidence built through mixed-age learning and regular responsibility. Where families want specific transition support details, it is sensible to ask how Year 6 induction links are handled in the relevant receiving secondary.

The school is its own admission authority and operates a two-part process for Reception entry: families apply via North Yorkshire Council’s coordinated system and also complete a supplementary information form for the school. The school’s published policy sets out oversubscription criteria and clarifies that a defined local catchment is prioritised, alongside looked-after children, siblings, and nursery attendance, with distance used as a tie-break where needed.

For September 2026 entry (Reception), North Yorkshire Council states the application round opens 12 October 2025 and closes 15 January 2026, with primary offers released on 16 April 2026.

Demand indicators in the most recent available admissions dataset point to competition for places, with 12 applications for 4 offers in the primary entry route and an oversubscribed status.

Nursery entry is handled directly with the school. Children can start from age 3, and the school describes flexible patterns that may begin with mornings or a small number of days, building up as a child settles. It also states 15 and 30 funded hours are offered for eligible families, with paid sessions available, but specific nursery pricing is intentionally left to the school’s own policy documentation rather than published as a headline figure.

Parents weighing competitiveness should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check practical travel distance and compare other nearby options, especially because small schools can fill quickly with relatively few applications.

The pastoral model is intertwined with scale. Small cohorts make it easier to spot changes in behaviour or wellbeing quickly, and the inspection narrative notes pupils’ trust in staff and a culture of openness and mutual respect. The school also describes systems that encourage children to share worries, including “worry jars”, and the 2021 inspection text references access to “Just Be” counsellors.

Safeguarding is framed as a whole-school culture, with staff training and vigilance described as strong and consistent. Pupils are taught how to stay safe online and how to manage risks, which matters in small communities where children often mix across age groups and activities beyond school.

Outdoor learning is not a token enrichment item here, it is the spine of the school’s wider offer. Weekly Forest School sessions for every year group combine physical challenge, nature study and practical skills. The curriculum description includes supervised use of tools, campfire cooking, and purposeful links back into literacy, music and design technology. The implication for families is clear: children who learn best through movement, making and exploration are likely to flourish; children who dislike outdoor conditions will need supportive preparation and the right kit.

Community participation is another anchor. The PTFA describes the annual Village Feast Day at the end of June as a whole-village event involving fancy dress, stalls, food, music-making, and pupil performances including Maypole and country dancing. These events give children a public-facing confidence that can be hard to build in larger schools where roles are more thinly spread.

There is also evidence of pupils contributing to local events through food and hospitality activities, including a pop-up café linked to the Open Gardens event at Nun Monkton Priory.

Sport and clubs will vary by year and cohort, but the 2021 inspection narrative explicitly mentions pupil enjoyment of sport including hockey and karate, suggesting opportunities beyond the standard football-netball pattern.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still expect the usual costs for uniform, trips and optional activities, plus any wraparound childcare used.

The school day runs 9:00am to 3:30pm, with arrival expected from 8:45am. Lunch is at 12:00 noon, with lessons resuming at 1:15pm.

Wraparound care includes a breakfast club 8:00am to 9:00am (£4 per session) and after-school childcare from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, with a shorter session option and a later wraparound option priced accordingly (£4 for 3:30pm to 4:30pm; £10 for 3:30pm to 5:30pm). Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis, so it is sensible to ask early if wraparound is essential.

Transport is strongly oriented to active travel. The school encourages walking, scooting and cycling, notes ample space for drop-off and pick-up, and points families to North Yorkshire’s home-to-school transport policy where eligibility depends on statutory walking distances and other criteria.

• Small cohort dynamics. With around 45 places across the school and three mixed-age classes, the experience can be highly personalised, but friendship groups are small and children have fewer “fresh start” options year to year.

• Outdoor learning is non-negotiable. Weekly Forest School for all year groups involves a walk to a woodland setting and regular outdoor activity in most weather conditions. Families need to be comfortable with muddy footwear and waterproof expectations.

• Admissions process has an extra step. Reception applications run through North Yorkshire’s coordinated system, but also require a supplementary form, and the policy includes a defined local catchment and nursery attendance as key priorities.

• Wraparound places are limited. Breakfast club and after-school childcare are offered with published session pricing, but places are subject to availability. If you rely on childcare, confirm capacity for the days you need before making assumptions.

A high-performing village primary where small scale is a strength rather than a constraint. Results place it among the strongest primary schools in England, and the outdoor programme and community calendar give pupils an experience that is hard to replicate in larger settings. Best suited to families who value a close-knit school, are comfortable with frequent outdoor learning, and want a calm, structured approach to reading and maths. The main decision point is fit: children who need a large peer group or prefer strictly classroom-based learning may be happier elsewhere.