Bishopthorpe Infant School
Sim Balk Lane, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2QQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Bishopthorpe Infant School is a primary school in York for ages 5 to 7. It is one of the 70 schools in York. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 June 2012, report published 5 July 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 25 February 2025
Bishopthorpe Infant School is a safe and welcoming environment for pupils. Staff know pupils well. Relationships between pupils and staff are kind and friendly. As a result, pupils feel safe and are happy at school. Behaviour in lessons and at play times is mostly positive. Pupils rightly say that there is no bullying. They are confident that adults will support them if problems arise. The school's motto, 'discover, grow and succeed', describes its ambitious vision for pupils. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has focused on its priorities of teaching reading, writing and mathematics. Typically, pupils achieve well in these subjects. While children in Reception get off to a flying start, in some subjects, pupils are not consistently ready for the junior school curriculum. Pupils benefit from a range of enrichment opportunities. They particularly enjoy the outdoor wildlife area, where they learn to care for the environment. Visitors to school help to bring the curriculum to life. For example, pupils learn about dinosaurs and fossils when they are 'palaeontologists for the day'. Pupils develop their understanding of the world through celebration days such as Chinese New Year.
What the school should improve
- In some foundation subjects, teaching does not deepen and secure pupils' knowledge as well as it could. When this happens, pupils do not learn the most important information they need to move on. The school should ensure that teaching secures what pupils need to know to be ready for their next steps in learning.
- The wider curriculum offer does not provide sufficient opportunities and experiences for pupils to develop a strong understanding of fundamental British values. This includes mutual respect and understanding of people who are different to them. As a result, pupils are not as well prepared for life in modern Britain as they could be. The school should further develop the wider curriculum so that pupils understand and appreciate these values.
Pupil numbers and mix
97 pupils on roll, with places for 170
Schools near Bishopthorpe Infant School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop of York's CofE Junior School, Bishopthorpe | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Dringhouses Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
| Naburn Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Woodthorpe Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 69% met the expected standard |
| Knavesmire Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 84% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- YORKSHIRE LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 5 to 7
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kerry Davies
- Phone
- 01904552399
- Address
- Sim Balk Lane, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2QQ
- Local authority
- York
- URN
- 148823
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.