Thornton Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Thornton Road, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3NNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Thornton Primary School is a primary school in Bradford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 227 schools in Bradford. It ranks 89th of 106 primary schools in Bradford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2020.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 16 January 2020, report published 9 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 24 June 2025

This is a welcoming school, where pupils develop trusting relationships with staff who care for them. The school has an inclusive culture, where pupils' individual needs are well met. This helps pupils to feel happy. Pupils know that there is always a trusted adult that they can talk to. The school is ambitious for all pupils to achieve highly. Actions to improve aspects of the curriculum have been effective. Most pupils meet the high expectations set. Pupils develop a broad range of knowledge across the curriculum. Pupils understand the importance of the 'Thornton 3 Always'. Pupils know that they need to always be kind and caring, to try their best and show respect. Most pupils follow these rules consistently. Overall, pupils listen to their teachers carefully. They are proud to earn rewards for following the 'Thornton 3 Always'. The school provides a range of exciting activities to develop pupils' character. For example, pupils take on leadership roles which benefit both the school and local community. These include 'active ambassadors', where pupils train to support other pupils to play a range of different sports and games. Pupil 'dementia ambassadors' enjoy singing and dancing with local residents in the local care home. Pupils value helping those in the local community.

What the school should improve

  • The school has not addressed gaps in some older pupils' mathematical knowledge and aspects of writing. This has led to weaknesses in some pupils' achievement. Some pupils are not as well prepared as they could be for their next stages in learning. The school should ensure that gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge are addressed effectively.
  • On occasion, the school's high expectations for pupils' behaviour are not followed. This, sometimes, hinders pupils' learning and their enjoyment at social times. The school should ensure that there is consistency and clarity in the expectations and management of behaviour across the school.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

66 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths45%

45%, 17 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score102

102, 4 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

449 pupils on roll, with places for 600

Eligible for free school meals31%

31%, 4.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.7%

4.7%, 16.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.1%

11.1%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.9%

4.9%, 1.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Thornton Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Foxhill Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good77% met the expected standard
Keelham Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good81% met the expected standard
The Academy At St. James1 mileOfsted: Good49% met the expected standard
Ley Top Primary School2 milesReport card: Urgent improvement to needs attention40% met the expected standard
St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy2 milesOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
FOCUS ACADEMY TRUST (UK) LTD
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Elizabeth Davison
Address
Thornton Road, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3NN
Local authority
Bradford
URN
143944

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.