Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We know that choosing the right primary school is an important decision, and parents often have lots of questions. This page answers some of the things families most often ask about life at Skirlaugh CE Primary School, from admissions and nursery provision to wraparound care and enrichment opportunities. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re always happy to help.
Where is Skirlaugh CE Primary School located?
Skirlaugh CE Primary School is a small, friendly village primary school in Skirlaugh, just outside Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many of our families come from Skirlaugh, Beverley and the surrounding rural villages.
We’re proud to offer the warmth and community feel of a rural school, while being only a short drive from Beverley, Hornsea and Hull.
What does it mean to be a Church of England primary school?
As a Church of England primary school, our Christian values are at the heart of everything we do. They guide how we treat one another, how we learn and how we grow together as a community.
You do not need to be Christian for your child to attend — we warmly welcome families of all faiths and none. Our ethos is built around kindness, respect, courage and compassion, and we work closely with our local parish church. Collective worship is part of daily school life, however parents have the right to withdraw their child if they wish.
Do you offer a nursery provision?
Yes, we offer nursery places for children from 3 years old. Our provision offers flexibility of sessions for our families, though from September 2026, we ask that parents book sessions totalling a minimum of 15 hours.
Our Early Years setting provides a calm, nurturing start to school life where children build confidence, independence and a love of learning. Being part of a small school means our nursery children quickly feel part of the wider school family, and transition into Reception is smooth and supportive.
Do you offer wraparound care?
We understand how important flexibility is for our families.
We offer in-house breakfast club and after-school club from 7:30am to 5:30pm each day. These sessions are run by our own experienced teaching assistants, so children are cared for by familiar adults in a safe and consistent environment.
This wraparound provision is particularly valued by working families in Beverley, Hull and the surrounding villages.
What was your latest Ofsted rating?
Our most recent inspection by Ofsted took place in May 2025. We were judged to be Good in all areas, with Outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes.
We are incredibly proud of this recognition. Inspectors highlighted the calm atmosphere in school and the excellent behaviour of our pupils — something visitors often comment on when they walk through our doors.
How large are your class sizes?
As a small rural primary school, our classes are typically around 20 pupils, with only a small minority closer to 30.
This allows us to really know every child as an individual — their strengths, their personalities and the support they may need. Parents often tell us this personal approach is one of the main reasons they choose Skirlaugh.
How do mixed-age classes work?
We teach in mixed-age classes, which is a real strength of small schools.
Children benefit from learning alongside pupils of different ages — younger children are inspired by older role models, while older pupils develop leadership, empathy and responsibility. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure full National Curriculum coverage for every year group over the course of their time in each key stage.
Mixed-age classes create a family-style environment where children grow in confidence and independence.
How do you support pupils with SEND?
At Skirlaugh CE Primary School we pride ourselves on being a highly inclusive school with strong, high-quality provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This commitment to inclusion is recognised by the local authority and the external agencies we work with. Our teachers are well trained in supporting a wide range of needs, and high-quality teaching in the classroom is always the starting point for ensuring every child can succeed.
Alongside this strong in-class provision, we also use carefully chosen, evidence-based interventions to provide additional support when needed.
We also have two specialist in-house SEND provisions:
The Nest – supporting children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 with significant speech, language and communication needs.
The Bridge – our nurture provision supporting Key Stage 2 pupils with social communication and emotional wellbeing needs.
These provisions allow pupils to receive targeted support while remaining part of our wider school community, helping every child feel valued, included and able to thrive.
What extra-curricular opportunities do you offer?
We believe primary school should be full of memorable experiences.
All children take part in whole-school events such as trips to the pantomime, themed weeks including International Week and Careers Week, and special enrichment days.
Each class goes on at least two curriculum-enhancing trips per year. We also offer residential visits in Year 4 and Year 6 — including trips to Gulliver’s Valley and London — which are often highlights of primary school life.
Children can learn musical instruments including guitar, violin and keyboard. We offer a wide range of clubs, from computing, sports, art and geography to choir and Eco Warriors.
We are part of the local School Sports Partnership and compete in the East Riding football league, giving pupils opportunities to take part in competitive sport as well as inclusive sporting events.
Is my child required to be Christian to attend?
No. As a Church of England school, our values are Christian, but our admissions are inclusive. We welcome families from all backgrounds and beliefs.
How do you support children's wellbeing?
Children’s wellbeing is central to life at Skirlaugh CE Primary School. Our most recent inspection by Ofsted recognised behaviour as Outstanding, reflecting the calm and respectful culture across our school.
We have two highly skilled Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) who provide tailored support for pupils when needed and work closely with the local Mental Health Support Team. Wellbeing is also built into our curriculum through weekly high-quality PSHE lessons, where children learn about mindfulness, emotional wellbeing and positive relationships.
How can I apply for a place at Skirlaugh CE Primary School?
Admissions are managed through the local authority. If you are considering a primary school place in Beverley or the surrounding villages, we warmly encourage you to visit us.
There is no substitute for seeing our school in action — meeting our staff, talking to our children and experiencing the calm, friendly atmosphere for yourself.
Please contact our school office to arrange a tour.