Shepley First School

About Shepley First School

Shepley First School is a state primary in Kirklees that is clearly popular with local families. With 172 pupils on roll against a capacity of 180, it is nearly full, and the demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 72 applications for just 27 places, meaning nearly three families applied for every spot. All 27 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that while the school is oversubscribed, those who list it first have a good chance of getting in. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 9.9%, which is below the national average for primary schools and indicates a relatively affluent intake compared with the wider Kirklees area. The school is non-denominational and co-educational, taking children from age four up to ten, after which they would typically move to a middle or junior school. Headteacher Becky Adams leads a school that has held a Good rating from Ofsted across both its recent inspections.

Academically, Shepley First School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024, with every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — all judged to be Good. This is a consistent performance; the school also received a Good overall effectiveness rating in its previous inspection back in 2012. While the data does not include specific Key Stage 2 SATs results for Shepley, the local authority average for KS2 attainment in Kirklees is 60, which gives a useful benchmark for parents comparing schools in the area. The school does not have a sixth form, as it only covers the primary years, and there is no nursery provision on site. The Ofsted report notes that behaviour and attitudes are good, and the early years provision is also good, suggesting children get a solid start in their first years at the school.

The school offers a range of facilities that support both learning and play, including a library, sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, and a sensory room. There is also a chapel on site, which is unusual for a school with no religious character. Sports on offer include cricket, football, netball, dance, and cross country, while clubs include choir, gardening, and drama. For children with additional needs, the school has provisions for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With its strong local demand and Good Ofsted rating, Shepley First School is a solid choice for families in the Kirklees area who want a well-regarded primary close to home. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is New Mill Junior School, 3.6 km away, which may be worth considering for those looking for a higher Ofsted grade.

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