Headteacher's Welcome
We would like to warmly welcome you and your child to Dunnington Church of England Primary School.
Our aim is to provide the best possible education for all our children in an environment where every member of the school community feels like they truly belong and where they can grow and learn together to be the best that they can be.
Dunnington Church of England Primary School is a happy school where learning is purposeful, challenging and enjoyable. We strive for the highest levels of academic achievement whilst prioritising all other aspects of children’s development. We provide a caring, loving and inclusive environment with relationships at the core of everything we do. Pupils are provided with a wide range of balanced learning opportunities which develop and extend understanding and equip them with the necessary skills to help them grow up to be happy, knowledgeable, independent, adaptable and responsible people, enabling them to thrive and succeed in society.
We are proud of our strong partnerships with our parents and carers and within the community, which are based on trust, honesty and cooperation. We work closely with the schools in YLT (Yorkshire Learning Trust) which includes Fulford Secondary School, the school the majority of our pupils go on to, and five other local primary schools. We also maintain links with our local cluster of schools, the South Yorks Schools Partnership, and with our local feeder settings.
We are a Church of England school and have strong links with the parish of St. Nicholas; clergy from the Church of England and other denominations regularly visit our school.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child and would encourage you to come and visit us to find out more about what makes Dunnington CE Primary School so special.
Welcome from the Trust CEO
Realising Potential
Dunnington CE Primary School
Creating the future together.
A very warm welcome to Dunnington CE Primary School and to Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT).
Yorkshire Learning Trust is a family of schools working together to ensure that every young person has the best possible opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. We are proud to serve diverse communities across Yorkshire, and we are united by a belief in the power of education to change lives.
At YLT, we place belonging, ambition and integrity at the heart of all we do. Our schools are inclusive and aspirational places where young people are known, nurtured and challenged. We want every student to feel proud of who they are, excited by their learning and confident about their future.
We also believe deeply in the strength of collaboration. By working together as a Trust, we are able to support each other, share what works, and tackle challenges collectively. Our schools retain their own identity and character – that’s what makes them special – but they also benefit from being part of something bigger.
Whether you are just starting your journey with Dunnington CE Primary School, or are continuing on your path with us, I know you’ll find a warm and supportive welcome. Thank you for being part of our shared ambition to create schools where young people can truly flourish.
With best wishes for all that lies ahead,
Ian Yapp
Chief Executive Officer – Yorkshire Learning Trust
Vision, Ethos and Values as a Church School
School’s theologically-rooted Christian Vision
Growing and learning together to be the best that we can be, in an environment based on Christian Values
Responsibility, Enjoyment, Security, Politeness, Effort, Care, Tolerance
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Dunnington C E Primary School is a place where we encourage children to develop enquiring minds, a lifelong love of learning and a respect for one another and the world in which they live.
It is rooted theologically in Proverbs 22:6, ‘Start children off in the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.’ and 1 Peter 3:8 ‘Be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.’
We aim for our children at Dunnington CE Primary School to grow and learn together to be the best that they can be, in an environment based on Christian Values. Children learn to be responsible, to enjoy all aspects of their time in school, to feel safe and secure, to be consistently polite to all around them, to put in appropriate effort to all that they do, to care for everybody else within and beyond the school community and to tolerate and celebrate all differences. The children remember these values through the acronym RESPECT.
Christian Values
We are currently learning about the Christian Values through the ‘Roots and Fruits’ Collective Worship resource. We focus on a value each half term, thinking about bible stories and current events which can help us to explore the value further, and understand how to apply it in our daily lives. The term’s value underpins the daily life of the school and our aim is to embed it fully so that it is relevant and ‘real’ to pupils, staff and parents.
Additionally, we hold highly our school values R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Each week, every class celebrates a child who has lived out a particular value. We take the opportunity to reference how these also link to the Christian values.
Collective Worship
We hold daily acts of Collective Worship which are distinctly Christian in nature, whilst also celebrating and embracing other major world faiths. You can read more about Collective Worship at Dunnington Church of England Primary School here.
Our Staff
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
The school is a key front-line player, working in partnership with other children’s services, and therefore staff should always be mindful of local policies and procedures, that must be followed, and which are under the direction of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.
At Dunnington C of E Primary School, we recognise that:
- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility
- The welfare of the child is paramount
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- Working in partnership with children, young people and their parents, carers and other agencies, is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
Mrs Thompson is the designated lead for safeguarding and child protection. In her absence the deputy designated safeguarding lead should be approached.
Ros Williams and Rachel Robinson are our designated Safeguarding Governors.
We work in partnership with North Yorkshire Police, like many schools across York and the surrounding area, and have signed up to Operation Encompass. A letter to parents and carers regarding this can be found here.
Special Education Needs & Disabilities
The school’s SEND Co-ordinator, Mrs Thompson, can be contacted via the school office.
SEND Information Report
A SEND Information Report aims to help parents and carers understand how a school applies its SEND Policy in practice. It includes important information about the provision and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Parents and carers are encouraged to read the SEND Information Report to learn more about the SEND provision and support offered by our school, as part of the local offer.Click here for the Dunnington Primary School SEND Report 2025-2026 as a .pdf
Further Information and Resources
- Click here for the the SEND local offer in York (external link to the York SEND website).
- Click here for the York SEND Newsletter, October 2022
- The Educational Psychology (EP) Support Line is a confidential telephone support service, staffed by Educational Psychologists, to talk through questions or concerns about children and young people’s wellbeing or learning. Open to all parents and carers of children with additional needs or SEND who live in the City of York, this service offers short slots to talk with a psychologist about specific concerns; for more details please see the flyer that was attached to the newsletter on 25/10/23.
York’s Outcomes Framework
What if you have a concern or complaint?
We hope that we can all work together to see your child make good progress. If however you have a concern or complaint about the way we have supported and helped your child, the following steps should be taken:
- Discuss the matter with the class teacher and/or the SENDCo
- If the problem is not resolved arrange a meeting with the Head Teacher. It may be appropriate for others to be involved in the meeting (e.g. the class teacher, SENDCo or Educational Psychologist) You can also speak with the SEND Governor, Mrs Ros Wilson. We will make every effort to resolve the matter in school
- If the problem still remains unresolved you can meet with a representative of the Local Authority. Contact a member of the SEN department on 01904 554320 or emailing [email protected] to arrange this
- You can also refer to our Complaints Procedure, which can be found on the school website
Governance
Our Governance Structure
Within Yorkshire Trust, each school has a Local Governing Committee (LGC) that supports the work of the school and the Trust. The LGC has certain delegated authority to oversee the running of the school under the Scheme of Delegation as defined by our Board of Trustees.
Further information about our governance structure, including details of our Trustees and Members, is available via the Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT) website.
Our Local Governing Committee (LGC)
Our Local Governing Committee (sometimes called our Local Governing Board or Local Governing Body) is responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a high-quality education and safe environment for all our children. Together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the school, the Governors set the school’s aims and some school specific policies.
Governors are people who volunteer their time to work together as part of the LGC team and who wish to make a positive contribution to their communities. Governors do not need an education background; they have an interest in the role of schools in society and have enquiring minds which contribute to the effective running of the school and the educational achievements and wellbeing of its pupils
Main aims of our Governing Board
The purpose of governance is to provide:
- Strategic leadership
- Accountability and assurance
- Strategic engagement.
LGCs carry out a number of important duties alongside the Trust, which include:
- Ensuring our children are safe.
- Working with school staff to ensure inclusion and equality for all.
- Reviewing policy on the school’s curriculum and collective worship.
- Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour.
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe.
- Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies.
- Agreeing the school’s development plan and monitoring progress against clear objectives.
- Determining how the school’s budget is spent.
- Understanding the views of our stakeholders, including children, parents and staff.
- Hearing appeals and grievances.
Our meetings and membership
Our LGC usually meets six times a year. Minutes of the LGC meetings are available on request from the School Office or via [email protected].
Attendance at LGC meetings is recorded and published annually on the YLT website.
Governors are expected to declare any relevant business and financial interests they may have. This Register of Business Interests is available via the YLT website.
Our LGC consists of 12 governors; Elected Parent Governors, elected Staff Governor; 3 Foundation Governors; and Trust-Appointed Governors. The Register of Business Interests includes a list of our current and recent governors, how they were appointed to the LGC, and their term of office.
Our Chair of Governors is Kevin Hall who can be contacted by writing to the school address, or emailing [email protected].
If you are interested in volunteering for the school or Trust as a school governor, please see our latest vacancies and application form available on the YLT website.
Diversity statement
At YLT we believe that diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
We actively seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We celebrate the unique contributions of each team member and are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, where differences are not only embraced but are seen as a source of strength.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our policies, practices, and the way we do business. We strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are fair, unbiased, and inclusive, and we are continuously working to improve them.
We understand that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.
Yorkshire Learning Trust – additional governance and financial information
Details of our Trustees and Members are on the YLT website.
There are statutory obligations for Trusts to publish additional governance and financial information online.
This includes our Articles of Association; Annual Reports and Accounts; funding agreements Executive Pay reports; and Gender Pay Gap reports. This information is published on our Trust website.
The Local Governing Committee Membership
| Name of Governor | Category of Governor | Appointing Body* | Term of Office | Committee Membership | Additional Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Hall | Foundation | Diocesan Board | 25/11/24 -24/11/28 | Pay Committee | Chair of LGC, Headteacher Appraisal & Pay Committees |
| Charlotte Todd | Staff | Staff Body | 01/12/23 -30/11/27 | ||
| David Swallow | Parent | Parent Body | 12/01/24 -11/01/28 | ||
| Emily Thompson | Parent | Parent Body | 26/04/24 -25/04/28 | ||
| Rev Katharine McBride | Foundation | Ex-officio | 18/07/23 -17/07/27 | ||
| Rachel Robinson | Trust Appointed | Trust Board | 13/07/23 -12/07/27 | Pay Committee | Safeguarding Governor |
| Ros Williams | Foundation | Diocesan Board | 01/09/21 -31/08/25 | Pay Committee | Vice Chair of LGC Safeguarding Governor SEND Governor |
| Sarah Wearing | Trust Appointed | Trust Board | 01/03/22 -28/02/26 | Pay Appeals | Named Contact for Pay Appeals |
| *Diocesan Board = York Diocesan Board of Education (following consultation with the Parochial Church Council of the parish in which the school is situated) Staff Body = Staff Body under the MAT’s Scheme of Delegation Parent Body = Parent body, under the MAT’s Scheme of Delegation, or by appointment of the LGC under specific circumstances LGC = Local Governing Committee, with the approval [of the Chair] of the MAT Board | |||||
| Clare Thompson | Attendee | Headteacher | |||
Register of Interests
The Local Governing Committee maintains a register of business and relevant interests for members; please click here to view the YLT Register of Interests, including the Dunnington Church of England Primary School LGC, on the Trust website.
Former Members of the Local Governing Committee who have stepped down in the past year
| Name of Governor | Category of Governor | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Committee Membership | Additional Responsibilities | Declaration of Relevant Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanna Rawlings | Trust Appointed | Trust Board | 14/11/2023 -12/12/24 |
Local Governing Committee Meeting Attendance
Admissions Arrangements
All children can start school in the September before their 5th birthday. You should apply for your child to start primary or infant school by the 15th of January in the school year your child turns 4. For entry in the September 2026 school year, children will have been born between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022. Later start dates are possible and can be discussed with the headteacher.
Applications for children who were born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023 can be made only from the Autumn of 2026.
Since September 2025 we are now part of the Yorkshire Learning Trust family of schools, and YLT becomes the admissions authority. You can read more about YLT on the Trust website.
Applications are processed by, and must be made via, the Local Authority. You will find the Admissions Policy for the current academic year and for admissions into next year;’s reception on our Policies page of this website.
If you are moving into or across the York area, or you are simply requesting a change of school, this type of school admission is called an in-year transfer. The City of York Admissions team also coordinate requests for in-year admissions and you can read more about the process on the CYC website.
Our PAN (Proposed Admission Number) for both September 2025 and September 2026 is 30.
For any queries about the admissions process you can email [email protected] or call 01904 551554. Further details are available on their website, and details of the admissions policies for all York schools can be found here.
Will your child start reception in September 2026?
Applications for a place in Reception starting in September 2026 opened on 12th September 2025. Please note that applying early does not give any priority, although to have the best chance of your application being successful you should complete and submit your application by the deadline which is the 12th January 2026. Late applications can still be made after this date. National Offer Day is the 16th April 2026, or the next working day.
Applications for entry into reception can be made by using the online form to apply for a school place.
If you can’t apply online you can request a paper Primary Application Form by calling 01904 551 554. Forms are also distributed to primary schools and nurseries in the York area.
Please read the Guide for Parents applying for a school place, as it contains key information on school admissions. You can also find the Guide to School Catchment Areas online. We also advise you to keep checking on the City of York Council Admissions site to keep updated with key dates throughout the year.
- 12th September 2025 – opening date for applications
- 25th November 2025 – Dunnington Church of England Primary School Open Evening
- 15th January 2026 – Deadline for applications
- 16th April 2026 (or the next working day) – National Offer Day
- 15th May 2026 – Appeal forms to be returned
- June – July 2026 – Admission appeals heard
- September 2026 – Start of the school year
- September 2026 – Applications for the 2027 entry into Reception expected to open
Applications for children who were born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023 can be made only from the Autumn of 2026.
Admission Consultations for entry in 2027-2028
Consultation on Yorkshire Learning Trust (City of York) schools’ admission arrangements 2027/28
Schools have a statutory duty to consult on admission arrangements every 7 years or when making changes to their admission arrangements.
Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT) carried out a consultation on the admission arrangements for its schools in the City of York local authority area for the 2027-28 school year which was open between 20th October 2025 and 3rd December 2025. During this period, the views of parents/carers, schools, staff, neighbouring authorities and other interested parties were sought.
Following this period of consultation, the admission arrangements will be considered by the YLT Trust Board alongside any comments made. The admission arrangements will be formally set or “determined” by 28th February 2026.
Determined policies will be published on the YLT website by 15th March 2026.
CYC Coordinated School Admissions Consultation 2027 to 2028
In line with the School Admissions Code 2021, City of York Council hold a coordinated admission consultation on behalf of schools within York and the School Admission Authorities. Where a school is part of a Multi Academy Trust, the Trust is the Admission Authority and not City of York Council.
This year’s Admissions Consultation was held by City of York Council and involved a number of Academy Trusts with schools within the city. The consultation ran between 8th October and 21st November 2025. The consultation included the admission policies and planned number of places available at each participating school/MAT in the year(s) of entry 2027-2028. Following the consultations, each admission authority will formally set (‘determine’) their admission arrangements for admission in 2027-2028 by 28th February 2026. Determined policies will be on the City of York Council website by 15th March 2026, after which objections can be raised. Click here for further information about the 2027-2028 CYC Coordinated Admissions Consultation.
Please be aware that if there are no proposed changes an admission authority may not be holding a consultation.
Determined policies for the 2026-27 can be found at https://www.york.gov.uk/SchoolAdmissionPolicies
Vacancies
Safeguarding Information: Applicants & Volunteers
- The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We require successful applicants to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
- Posts may also be subject to the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and as such shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a Disqualification Declaration. Any information supplied will be discussed at interview.