Appleton Thorn Primary School

About Appleton Thorn Primary School

Appleton Thorn Primary School’s key stage 2 results sit notably below the Warrington local authority average for primary schools. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined stands at 69%, Appleton Thorn recorded 46% in the 2023/24 academic year. This places the school 54th out of 55 primary schools in the borough, putting it in the bottom tier locally and nationally in the 84th percentile. The gap is also visible in individual subjects: 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, compared with 81% in maths and just 62% in writing. Higher-attaining pupils are a small group here, with only 8% reaching the higher standard across all three subjects. That said, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2025 judged behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, as Outstanding, with leadership and management and the quality of education both rated Good.

Despite the headline results, the school’s Ofsted report and parent feedback paint a more nuanced picture. The early years provision was rated Good, and the previous inspection in 2010 had given the school an Outstanding overall grade. In the most recent parent view survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, 89% of the 57 respondents would recommend the school. Strong majorities agreed that their child is happy (100% strongly agree or agree) and feels safe (94% combined). However, only 49% strongly agreed that the school makes sure pupils are well behaved, and 16% disagreed with that statement. On SEND support, 91% of parents who expressed a view agreed that the school gives children the support they need. The school’s Progress 8 scores are not available, so it is difficult to measure how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points.

Appleton Thorn is a smaller-than-average primary with 202 pupils against a capacity of 210, and it is heavily oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 99 applications for 29 places, with 34 first-preference applications for 28 offers. The school serves a relatively affluent intake, with just 8.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals. Facilities include a sensory room, ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, a sports hall and a chapel. Sports offered include cricket, athletics, dance, gymnastics, tennis and cross country, and clubs range from coding and chess to science, art and eco club. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. This is a school that may suit families who value strong pastoral care and a broad range of activities, but who are prepared for academic outcomes that fall short of the local average.

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