Thornhill Junior and Infant School
Edge Lane, Thornhill, Dewsbury, WF12 0QTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Thornhill Junior and Infant School is a primary school in Dewsbury for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 199 schools in Kirklees. It ranks 7th of 11 primary schools in Dewsbury. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 December 2024, report published 23 January 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 December 2024
At Thornhill Junior and Infant School, pupils are happy and grow in confidence. They show curiosity in their learning. Pupils build their self-esteem in a safe and positive atmosphere. The school maintains a calm and orderly environment. Pupils behave respectfully both in and outside the classroom. They follow instructions, engage well in group discussions and listen to each other. In lessons, pupils are attentive. This positive behaviour supports a focused learning environment, helping pupils achieve well. When pupils struggle with their self-regulation, staff provide effective support. This helps these pupils to make the right choices. The structured lunchtime programme is a firm favourite with pupils. It offers a rich range of activities that pupils enjoy. This programme helps pupils develop their social skills, encouraging positive interactions and teamwork. The school prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain. It adapts the curriculum expertly to broaden pupils' horizons. They are taught and remember essential life skills. Pupils learn how to stay safe and make empowered choices. They learn this through real- world scenarios and discussions relevant to their own context. Despite facing wider challenges, pupils embrace the aspirational, supportive curriculum. They actively engage with all it has to offer. They attend school regularly and eagerly. Pupils look forward to their class achieving the high attendance 'welly awards'.
What the school should improve
- Staff subject knowledge is stronger in some subjects than others. This means the work that is given to pupils does not always support their deeper understanding of key knowledge. The school should continue to develop staff subject expertise to design activities that are purposeful and deepen pupils' subject understanding.
- Pupils in the early stages of writing have not had enough practice to develop fluent, legible handwriting. This limits their ability to express their ideas in writing clearly and confidently as they progress through the curriculum. The school should continue to prioritise the development of fluent, legible handwriting.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
49 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
353 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near Thornhill Junior and Infant School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overthorpe CofE Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 53% met the expected standard |
| Thornhill Lees Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infant and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Paradise Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Headfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Pentland Infant and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- FOCUS ACADEMY TRUST (UK) LTD
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Ms Jennifer Rylance
- Phone
- 01924453259
- Address
- Edge Lane, Thornhill, Dewsbury, WF12 0QT
- Local authority
- Kirklees
- URN
- 143231
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.