Lydgate Junior and Infant School

About Lydgate Junior and Infant School

Lydgate Junior and Infant School is a mixed, state primary in Kirklees, currently home to 295 pupils against a capacity of 322, so there is a little room to grow. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 27.5%, which is notably above the national average and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. Demand is clearly strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 52 applications for 33 places, with 32 of those coming as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.58. That means for every place available, roughly one and a half families wanted it, and almost all offers went to first-preference applicants. The school is non-denominational and led by headteacher Anita Kishore, who took over a school that has held a Good rating from Ofsted for some time.

Academically, Lydgate performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 87% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Kirklees average of 60%. That puts the school 4th out of 94 primaries in the local authority, placing it in the top 5% nationally. A closer look at individual subjects shows particularly strong maths outcomes: 95% of pupils reached the expected standard and 38% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Reading and writing also fared well, with 90% and 92% at expected levels respectively. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 did not assign an overall effectiveness grade, but all four graded areas were rated Good or better, with personal development judged Outstanding. The previous inspection in 2011 had also rated the school Good overall.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a sensory room, forest school area, music rooms and playing fields, plus a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, football, cricket, rounders, netball, athletics and cross country, while clubs extend to coding, choir, art, gardening, film and book club. SEND support is available for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health challenges. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 93% of respondents would recommend the school, and 97% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. For families in Kirklees looking for a high-performing, oversubscribed primary with strong pastoral care and a broad extracurricular offer, Lydgate is clearly a popular choice, though securing a place may require a first-preference application.

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