Skelmanthorpe Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 10
Ofsted: Good

Elm Street, Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield, HD8 9DZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Skelmanthorpe Academy is a primary school in Huddersfield for ages 3 to 10. It is one of the 199 schools in Kirklees. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2020.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 January 2020, report published 11 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 29 April 2025

This is a happy school where everyone is made to feel welcome. Pupils respond well to the school's high expectations for their learning and behaviour. Lessons are calm and purposeful. Pupils achieve well overall. Children in the early years are supported to settle quickly and learn routines that promote learning. The school provides plenty of opportunities to stimulate children's interests, for example, they visit allotments to grow plants. Children in the early years are well prepared for future learning. The school's work to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain is a strength. The range of clubs on offer, such as drama, ukulele and 'eco-art' club, help to develop pupils' interests. The school ensures that pupils learn to stay safe in the local community and when online. Pupils benefit from a range of visitors, including representatives from the community police, fire service and the NSPCC. Pupils feel confident to speak to an adult if they are worried. This helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils learn about different cultures. They enjoy listening to visitors of different faiths and of no faith. This helps pupils to develop respect for others.

What the school should improve

  • In the early years, some learning activities are not as well designed to promote learning in the outdoor provision. At times, children do not learn as well as they could. The school should ensure that children's learning in all areas of provision fully contributes to the development of their knowledge and skills.
  • Occasionally, checks on pupils' understanding in some foundation subjects are not precise enough. This means that some pupils develop gaps in their knowledge or misconceptions. The school should ensure that assessment is used consistently well to support pupils to build knowledge effectively and enable pupils to achieve highly.

Pupil numbers and mix

124 pupils on roll, with places for 180

Eligible for free school meals10.5%

10.5%, 16 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.3%

15.3%, 0.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.2%

3.2%, 2.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Skelmanthorpe Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Aidan's Church of England Academy0.3 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingNot published
Scissett Middle School0.7 milesOfsted: Good59% met the expected standard
Scissett Church of England Academy0.9 milesOfsted judgements: OutstandingNot published
Denby Dale First and Nursery School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Kaye's Academy1 mileReport card: Expected standard to strong standardNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
LEARNING ACCORD MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
3 to 10
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Senior
Address
Elm Street, Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield, HD8 9DZ
Local authority
Kirklees
URN
143230

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.