Thornhill Primary School
Grove Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5PEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Thornhill Primary School is a primary school in Dunstable for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 3rd of 19 primary schools in Dunstable. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 January 2025, report published 2 March 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 21 January 2025
Most pupils enjoy attending this growing, diverse primary school. They know the vision and the values of the school exceptionally well. This is because pupils were part of developing them. Pupils embrace how their local community is changing and growing in size. Pupils are safe at the school. They know exactly what adults expect of them. Pupils have trusted adults and a team of pupil 'worry busters' that they can go to if they need support. The vast majority of pupils are respectful and polite, and they behave well. Staff deal with the rare incidents of poor behaviour quickly and effectively. Staff have high expectations of pupils in all lessons. Pupils listen well, contribute to discussions and enthusiastically complete activities. They achieve strong outcomes in national tests and assessments at the end of Year 6. Pupils have an exceptional breadth of opportunities available to them. Through the school's 'electives' programme, they can learn new skills, for example street dance, crochet, photography or playing the glockenspiel. Many pupils choose to develop these skills even further at lunchtime or through additional lessons. Many excel at the skills they learn from these 'electives'.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, teaching is not always adapted to meet the needs of pupils so that they realise the ambition of the curriculum. Therefore, in these subjects, pupils do not learn what is intended as well as they could. The school should ensure that teaching is adapted effectively to meet pupils' needs.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
41 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
516 pupils on roll, with places for 660
Schools near Thornhill Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lime Tree Primary Academy | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| St Vincent's Catholic Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Tithe Farm Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 41% met the expected standard |
| Chalton Lower School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy | 0.9 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 39% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Bernice Waite
- Phone
- 01582863516
- Address
- Grove Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5PE
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 109504
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.