Thornton Primary School
Bradford, BD13 3NN · Bradford · primary school
Check the area around this school
132nd of 156 primary schools in Bradford we can score, 157 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 — 0.9/10 against 2,289 of them, against 1.2/10 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 | 45.0 · 13 | 40% | 0.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thornton Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2025. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 449 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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 have not reached the expected standard in core subjects? What specific interventions are in place to help students progress towards the higher standard? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in attainment?
What Ofsted said about Thornton Primary School
Overview
Thornton Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a welcoming environment where pupils develop trusting relationships with staff and benefit from an inclusive culture that meets individual needs. Leaders have implemented an ambitious curriculum that helps most pupils achieve highly, though some gaps in foundational knowledge persist for older students.
Strengths
- Pupils develop a broad range of knowledge across the curriculum, with reading taught "extremely well" through effective phonics programmes.
- The school fosters positive behaviour through the ‘Thornton 3 Always’ values, encouraging pupils to be kind, caring, and respectful.
- Pupils engage in character-building activities, such as ‘active ambassadors’ and ‘dementia ambassadors’, which benefit the local community.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including a highly adapted curriculum in the resource base.
- Governors and trustees work well to challenge leaders appropriately, helping to identify areas for improvement and ensure clarity in decision-making.
Areas to improve
- The school must address gaps in some older pupils’ foundational knowledge in mathematics and writing to improve achievement and preparation for future learning.
- Behaviour expectations are not always consistently applied, which sometimes hinders pupils’ learning and enjoyment during social times; the school should ensure consistency and clarity in behaviour management.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 51% |
| 2023/24 | 49% |
| 2024/25 | 45% |
| 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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