Thornhill Primary School
Shildon, DL4 1ES · County Durham · primary school
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2nd of 188 primary schools in County Durham we can score, 208 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.9/10 against 2,017 of them, against 9.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 93.0 · 99 | 40% | 3.95 |
| Ofsted | 96 | 35% | 3.37 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 20.0 · 92 | 25% | 2.30 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thornhill Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 93.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 20.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in March 2023. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Homework Booster clubs, play football, cricket, tag rugby, gymnastics, dance, or basketball, and participate in arts and crafts, pottery, or choir. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 205 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who do not reach the higher standard? What specific activities are available in the after-school club?
What Ofsted said about Thornhill Primary School
Overview
Thornhill Primary School is described as an ‘inspirational school’ where ‘pupils blossom’ and make ‘excellent progress’. Leaders maintain ‘very high expectations’ for all pupils, fostering an environment where children are ‘kind and considerate’ and feel ‘safe and happy’. The report highlights a ‘highly ambitious curriculum’ that ensures pupils have ‘excellent recall of their learning’ and are ‘well prepared for the next phase of their education’.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘exemplary’ behaviour, with ‘no low-level disruption in class’ and a strong sense of responsibility.
- The curriculum design includes strategic repetition, enabling pupils to examine subjects in ‘greater depth’ year on year.
- Reading is taught with a ‘structured approach’, ensuring pupils read ‘fluently and accurately’ by the end of key stage 2.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is ‘seamless’, with these pupils ‘fully included in the wider life of the school’.
- Early years provision is ‘vibrant and dynamic’, with children communicating ‘exceptionally well for their age’.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with clear systems for reporting welfare concerns and staff trained to recognise signs of abuse and neglect.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 73% |
| 2023/24 | 93% |
| 2024/25 | 93% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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