Thornhill Primary School

Primary
Local authority maintained
Ages 4 to 11

Ofsted: Outstanding

Thornhill Gardens, Shildon, DL4 1ESOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Thornhill Primary School is a primary school in Shildon for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 271 schools in County Durham. It ranks 4th of 184 primary schools in County Durham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in February 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 2 February 2023, report published 20 March 2023

Overall effectiveness: Outstanding
Quality of education: Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership and management: Outstanding
Early years provision: Outstanding
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths93%

93%, 31 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths20%

20%, 12 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score110

110, 5 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

205 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals35.6%

35.6%, 9.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2%

2%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support21.5%

21.5%, 6.7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Thornhill Primary School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Timothy Hackworth Primary School	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Good	52% met the expected standard
St John's Church of England Aided Primary School, Shildon	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Good	67% met the expected standard
Prince Bishops Community Primary School	0.9 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
St Andrew's Academy	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	46% met the expected standard
Cockton Hill Infant School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Not published

School details

School type: Community school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 4 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Nursery classes: Yes
Headteacher: Miss S Overfield
Phone: 01388772906
Website: thornhill.durham.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Thornhill Gardens, Shildon, DL4 1ES
Local authority: County Durham
URN: 114106

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.