Tonacliffe Primary School
Tonacliffe Road, Whitworth, Tonacliffe School, Tonacliffe Road, Whitworth, OL12 8SSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Tonacliffe Primary School is a primary school in Whitworth for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Lancashire. It ranks 250th of 444 primary schools in Lancashire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 July 2024, report published 18 July 2024
- 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 2 July 2024
Pupils at this school benefit from the support of caring staff, who know them well. They are happy during lessons and when playing with their friends in the playground. If pupils have worries, they can use the 'ask it basket' to speak to adults in the school. The school has high expectations of what pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can achieve. Most pupils respond with positivity to the work that teachers prepare for them. In the main, they achieve well. Pupils follow the school's motto of 'only our best is enough'. Staff encourage them to earn 'behaviour stars' for their teams. Pupils look forward to finding out who receives the much-coveted 'friendship and kindness' awards each week. Pupils enjoy exploring the outdoors, tending to the school's allotment, and learning in the school's woodland area. They spoke excitedly about showcasing their musical and acting talents during recent summer performances. Through these activities, pupils build their confidence and independence. Pupils contribute to school life by taking on leadership responsibilities. For example, older pupils relish becoming 'buddies' for younger children. School councillors and eco-team members pride themselves on helping to improve the school's environment.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the school has not ensured that the work given to pupils enables them to deepen their knowledge. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as strongly as they should in these subjects. The school should ensure that staff provide pupils with work that strengthens their understanding of these subjects.
- Occasionally, staff do not identify or address gaps or misconceptions in some pupils' knowledge before they move on to new learning. This means that these pupils' learning is not as secure as it should be. The school should support staff in checking that pupils have successfully embedded the prior knowledge that they should before they learn new curriculum content.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
44 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
294 pupils on roll, with places for 315
Schools near Tonacliffe Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| Shawclough Community Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| Our Lady and St Anselm's Roman Catholic Primary School, Whitworth | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| Healey Foundation Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
| Meanwood Community Nursery and Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 39% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Joanne Heap
- Phone
- 01706344609
- Address
- Tonacliffe Road, Whitworth, Tonacliffe School, Tonacliffe Road, Whitworth, OL12 8SS
- Local authority
- Lancashire
- URN
- 119271
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.