Thornton Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Heys Street, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 4JPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Thornton Primary School is a primary school in Thornton-Cleveleys for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 253rd of 444 primary schools in Lancashire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 22 February 2023, report published 26 April 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
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 22 February 2023

Pupils, including children in the early years, thrive at Thornton Primary School. They are confident, polite and they make a positive contribution to the calm atmosphere around the school. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), respond well to the high expectations that leaders have of their achievements. As a result, most pupils achieve well. Pupils behave well and they value the relationships that they have with staff. Pupils know that bullying is not tolerated. Leaders deal effectively with any rare incidents of bullying that occur. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe at school. Leaders ensure that pupils have access to an exceptional range of opportunities through which they develop their character and interests. These include visits to cities, coastal locations and the countryside. Pupils take immense pleasure in learning about the wider world, for example through visits to museums and places of worship. Pupils proudly carry out their leadership roles as reading champions, members of the eco council and as prefects. They relish contributing to their community, for instance when caring for the local beaches and during visits to a local residential home. Pupils are kind. They enjoy nominating each other for rewards when they demonstrate the school's values of love, respect and ambition.

What the school should improve

  • Sometimes, teachers do not address the misconceptions that some pupils have about their learning quickly enough. This hinders how well these pupils learn new concepts and knowledge. Leaders should ensure that teachers are well equipped to address these pupils' gaps in knowledge in a timely manner. This is so that these pupils can achieve as well as they should across the curriculum.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

20 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 maths20%

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

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

149 pupils on roll, with places for 175

Eligible for free school meals38.9%

38.9%, 12.4 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.7%

2.7%, 18.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support28.2%

28.2%, 13.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan10.7%

10.7%, 4.7 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Thornton Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys0.2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard60% met the expected standard
Thornton Cleveleys Royles Brook Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good36% met the expected standard
Thornton Cleveleys Baines Endowed Voluntary Controlled Primary School0.9 milesOfsted judgements: Good52% met the expected standard
Stanah Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good85% met the expected standard
Northfold Community Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good59% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr David Ashcroft
Address
Heys Street, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 4JP
Local authority
Lancashire
URN
119148

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.