Whaley Thorns Primary School
Portland Road, Langwith, Mansfield, NG20 9HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Whaley Thorns Primary School is a primary school in Mansfield for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 38th of 41 primary schools in Mansfield. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 October 2024, report published 3 December 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Requires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 15 October 2024
The school has high expectations for all pupils. However, these expectations are not fully realised. The quality of education that pupils receive is variable. Pupils do not always have secure knowledge of the subjects they study. As a result, they are not as well prepared for next steps as they should be. Pupils know and respect the school's motto of 'everyone is different, everyone is special'. They understand the importance of treating people of all backgrounds equally. The school's 'kindness curriculum' helps pupils to reflect on values, such as humility, honesty and empathy. Most of the time, pupils demonstrate these values. Many pupils talk about enjoying school. They feel safe. Pupils have confidence that members of staff would support them should they have a worry or concern. Most pupils behave well. Sometimes, pupils need reminders to focus on their learning. Pupils develop their interests and talents by engaging with a range of clubs, such as construction, storytelling and football. The school organises educational visits to broaden pupils' horizons, including to the coast and to places of worship. Pupils develop their resilience by taking part in residentials, including in Year 6, to London.
What the school should improve
- Some teachers do not ensure that their explanations and the resources that they share with pupils always focus on the most important knowledge that pupils need to learn. As a result, pupils sometimes struggle to complete tasks or understand how those tasks link to what they should learn. The school should ensure that teaching is consistently focused on the most important knowledge that pupils need to know.
- Teachers do not check pupils' understanding of new information routinely. This means that gaps and misconceptions in pupils' knowledge are not always identified and resolved. The school should ensure that teachers check pupils' knowledge and understanding closely so that it is secure.
- Pupils sometimes lose their focus and do not complete learning tasks in full. This results in missed opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of some of the subjects they study. The school should ensure that pupils demonstrate positive attitudes and are committed fully to their learning.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
22 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
118 pupils on roll, with places for 170
Schools near Whaley Thorns Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langwith Bassett Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 44% met the expected standard |
| Cuckney CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| Brookfield Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 19% met the expected standard |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 76% met the expected standard |
| Creswell Junior School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LEARNERS' TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Alan Brown
- Phone
- 01623742604
- Address
- Portland Road, Langwith, Mansfield, NG20 9HB
- Local authority
- Derbyshire
- URN
- 147626
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.