Silsden Primary School

About Silsden Primary School

Silsden Primary School is a state primary for ages 3 to 11 in the Bradford local authority, and it is a popular choice locally. The school currently has 644 pupils on roll, slightly above its official capacity of 630, which suggests it is operating at full stretch. Demand is clear from the admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 85 total applications for just 59 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.44 applicants per place. All 59 first-preference applicants were offered a spot, so getting your child in as a first choice is realistic but not guaranteed. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 15.6%, which is below the national average for primary schools (typically around 23-24%) and suggests a relatively less deprived intake compared with many schools in the Bradford area. The school is non-religious, with no formal religious character, and is led by headteacher Karl Russell.

Academically, Silsden Primary delivers solid but not outstanding results. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 62% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is slightly above the Bradford local authority average of 59%, placing the school 70th out of 153 primaries in the area. Nationally, it ranks in the 52nd percentile, meaning it sits around the middle of the pack. The school’s ranking score of 62 places it in the bottom 50% tier nationally, but within Bradford it is a respectable mid-table performer. Looking at individual subjects, 80% met the expected standard in maths and 78% in reading, while writing lagged a little at 71%. Higher-standard attainment is modest: 8% achieved the higher benchmark across all three subjects, with 24% hitting that level in maths and 28% in reading. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2022 rated it Good across all categories, including behaviour, personal development and early years provision, maintaining the same overall rating it received in 2010.

The school offers a decent range of facilities and activities for a primary of its size. There is a forest school, art studios, music rooms, a gymnasium and a sports hall, plus an outdoor playground and even a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, athletics, netball, rounders and cross country, while clubs cover drama, book club and science club. Silsden also has nursery provision for three-year-olds, which is a plus for families wanting continuity from early years through to Year 6. The school has identified SEND provisions for moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication issues, and physical disabilities, so it is equipped to support a range of additional needs. For families who want a well-subscribed, Good-rated primary in the Bradford area with a slightly less disadvantaged intake than average, Silsden is a strong contender, though the nearest Outstanding-rated school is Steeton Primary, just two kilometres away, if you are aiming higher.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Silsden Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents