Shelf Junior and Infant School
Shelf Hall Lane, Shelf, Halifax, HX3 7LTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Shelf Junior and Infant School is a primary school in Halifax for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 112 schools in Calderdale. It ranks 36th of 40 primary schools in Halifax. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2020.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 January 2020, report published 12 February 2020
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 November 2024
Pupils are courteous and show an interest in their learning. They greet visitors with warmth. Pupils enjoy coming to school, where they are cared for by adults who know them well. Strong, positive relationships are at the heart of the school's work. This is a happy and safe place for pupils. They readily step up to the high expectations that the school has for them. Pupils behave well throughout school. Children in Reception behave particularly well. They are calm and move sensibly around the provision inside and outside. Playtimes are a time of happy and purposeful play. When there are rare disputes, these are resolved quickly and positively. Pupils insist rightly that there is no bullying and that adults will support them swiftly if problems arise. Pupils thrive in a wide range of leadership roles. These include pupils who are disadvantaged or who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils take on a range of roles and responsibilities with enthusiasm. For example, younger pupils manage and distribute breaktime refreshments and school councillors work with the school to contribute to improvement work. House captains provide informative tours for prospective parents and visitors. Pupils are very proud and positive advocates for their school.
What the school should improve
- On occasions, teaching does not deepen pupils' understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and related concepts as much as it could do. Where this is the case, pupils' understanding of some aspects of the curriculum is less well-developed. The school should work with staff so that that pupils build a deeper understanding of subject- specific vocabulary and the concepts that this vocabulary represents.
- There is variation in how well handwriting is taught. Weaknesses in letter formation for some pupils are not consistently addressed. The school should ensure that staff identify and address gaps in foundational handwriting knowledge and skills so that pupils develop fluency in their writing.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
29 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
221 pupils on roll, with places for 315
Schools near Shelf Junior and Infant School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Michael and All Angels CofE Primary & Pre School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Northowram Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 70% met the expected standard |
| Home Farm Primary School | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 57% met the expected standard |
| Salterlee Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 42% met the expected standard |
| Farfield Primary and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jill Elam
- Phone
- 01274676782
- Address
- Shelf Hall Lane, Shelf, Halifax, HX3 7LT
- Local authority
- Calderdale
- URN
- 107513
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.