Tonacliffe Primary School
Whitworth, OL12 8SS · Lancashire · primary school
Check the area around this school
230th of 448 primary schools in Lancashire we can score, 481 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,248 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.1/10 among them, against 4.1/10 nationally. 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 | 61.0 · 41 | 40% | 1.65 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Tonacliffe Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 61.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.1 out of 10 among them, against 4.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and Eco-Team, attend Forest School trips, and can join the breakfast and after-school clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 294 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 to bridge the gap between the current results and the national median? What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How does the Forest School trip integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Tonacliffe Primary School
Overview
Tonacliffe Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ rating. The report highlights a “broad and ambitious curriculum” where pupils are happy, well-supported, and encouraged to strive for their best. While most pupils achieve well and behave positively, the inspection identifies specific inconsistencies in teaching practice that hinder deeper learning in some subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from “caring staff, who know them well” and enjoy a positive school culture featuring initiatives like the ‘ask it basket’ and ‘friendship and kindness’ awards.
- The school has successfully improved early reading; after identifying issues with phonics, staff now deliver a new programme “consistently well,” helping most pupils read “fluently and confidently.”
- Governors “know the school well” and effectively hold the school to account, while staff appreciate measures taken to prioritise their workload and well-being.
- Pupils engage enthusiastically in extra-curricular activities, including music, art, and outdoor learning, which help build their “confidence and independence.”
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, work provided to pupils “does not reflect the ambition of the curriculum,” preventing them from developing a “deep body of knowledge.”
- Staff do not always “consistently address pupils’ misconceptions or gaps in their knowledge” before moving on, meaning some pupils’ learning is “not as secure as it should be.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “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 | 73% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 61% |
| 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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