Saxton Church of England Primary School

My children are thriving at Saxton. Having moved them from an urban school with 700+ pupils to Saxton Primary which has around 60 children, I can honestly say that this has been the best decision we have made. If you want a large standardised and generic mainstream school then Saxton is probably isn’t for you. However, if you want a unique, safe, nurturing creative and positively different environment for your child(ren) then consider Saxton as your school of choice. It would be unfair not to mention the recent changes over the last 12 months which have caused some obvious disruption (namely change of long term teaching staff who left due to relocation, promotion and retirement). However, the school has put measures in place to minimise its effects. Albeit challenging for some, it has taught my children about inevitability of change which they cannot control, resilience, and how to adapt and manage their feelings. They still love school and are happy despite these changes Each parent/child has a differing experience, and unfortunately some children have left as Saxton was not the right fit. As a small school (only three classrooms) there is nowhere to hide. And it’s important to recognise that some children may benefit from more space, more children to socialise with or a greater variation in teaching staff (offstead criticised the school for not having subject experts in all subjects. An impossible task with only three teachers). However, what it failed to recognise was how staff utilise the outside spaces well (field and wildlife area), regularly invite external partners (university lecturers, sports coaches and other specialists) in to the school to help with this and share resources with its sister school; Monk Fryston. Saxton isn’t perfect. But no school is. Selecting the right school for your child can never be a case of ‘a one size fits all’. However, its uniquely small size enables children to feel loved, nurtured and part of an extended family. The school itself is very community focussed and this community spirit is something which the children live, breathe and experience every day. My advice to anyone considering Saxton, would be to visit and see the school and it wonderful children for yourself. Don’t be put off by the recent offstead report which is a tick box exercise simply looking at a specific set of indicators. See the school for what it is - a perfectly imperfect place for children to be themselves, explore, learn and grow.

We have been forced to remove our child from this school recently. Bullied for almost three years, by one child in particular. Headteacher was aware and involved for a whole year, without any change. This was an amazing village school previously, however has really gone downhill over the last 2-3 years. Children who do not behave well overall, tend to get rewards for the slightest bit of good behaviour, whilst the children who behave well on a regular basis are overlooked. We would not recommend attending this school.