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Thornton Dale CofE Primary School

Pickering, YO18 7TW · North Yorkshire · primary school

Ofsted: Inadequate · 2019 Mixed Primary Church of England
OfstedInadequate
Pupils137
FSM8.0%
KS2 expected63%
AI summary of the Ofsted report Inspected 2025-05-02 · Tap to collapse

Generated by AI from the official inspection report — not written by Ofsted or SchoolsGPT staff. Always read the full Ofsted PDF before relying on this summary.

Overview: Thornton Dale CofE Primary School is a highly effective school where pupils are happy, polite, and articulate members of the school family. They enjoy numerous opportunities to thrive and flourish in the school's carefully crafted, nurturing environment. Pupils embody the school's values of kindness, friendship, and respect.

Strengths:

  • Pupils are happy, polite, and articulate members of the school family.
  • Relationships between staff and pupils are highly positive.
  • Pupils develop exemplary attitudes to one another, with behaviour of a very high standard.
  • The school's work to identify the needs of pupils with SEND is of a very high standard.
  • Pupils receive appropriate support to address their needs, achieving well over the course of their time in school.

Areas to improve:

  • A small number of pupils have gaps in their phonics knowledge that are not identified and addressed effectively, limiting their ability to read confidently.
  • The school should ensure that gaps in pupils' phonics knowledge are addressed swiftly and effectively.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Catchment / designated area

'Catchment school' determined by home address is explicit LA terminology.

Source: North Yorkshire admissions policy

Ofsted judgement breakdown (2019-03-12)

Overall effectiveness
Inadequate
Effectiveness of leadership and management
Inadequate
Safeguarding is effective?
Yes
Early years provision (where applicable)
Requires improvement

Category of concern: SM

What the entrance test covers

Each of the three North Yorkshire grammar schools tests differently: 1. Ripon Grammar School — GL Assessment papers in verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning (registration via North Yorkshire Council, test mid-September of Year 6, results by post mid-October). 2. Ermysted's Grammar School (boys, Skipton) — GL Assessment papers in English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning; registration direct with the school. 3. Skipton Girls' High School — FSCE (Future Stories Community Enterprise) papers in English, maths and creative writing — a notably different format from the two GL-based schools; registration direct with the school. A family applying to both Skipton schools should prepare for two different exam styles on separate dates.

Similar schools nearby

Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.

Pickering Community Infant School 2.0 mi · Primary · Good Pickering, YO18 7AT Pickering Community Junior School 2.5 mi · Primary · Good Pickering, YO18 8AJ St Joseph's Catholic Primary School - a Catholic voluntary academy 2.6 mi · Primary · Good Pickering, YO18 8AR Rillington Primary School 5.6 mi · Primary · Good Malton, YO17 8LA Sinnington Community Primary School 5.8 mi · Primary · Good York, YO62 6SL Snainton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 5.9 mi · Primary · Good Scarborough, YO13 9AF

Data sourced from GIAS, Ofsted and official North Yorkshire admissions publications. Figures can change year to year — always confirm with the school before applying.

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