Slaithwaite Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School

About Slaithwaite Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School

Slaithwaite Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School stands out sharply against the Kirklees local authority average for primary schools. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 60%, Slaithwaite achieves 86% — a full 26 percentage points higher. That gap is significant and places the school fifth out of 94 primaries in the borough, putting it in the top 5% locally. It also ranks within the top 5% nationally, which is an unusually strong position for a small village school with just 168 pupils. The school is oversubscribed by nearly three to one, with 65 applications for 23 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, and 31 of those were first-preference choices. That level of demand suggests local families recognise the school’s performance well before they see the data.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the school’s strength is consistent across subjects. In reading, 90% of pupils met the expected standard and 57% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 111. In maths, 90% met the expected standard and 71% hit the higher standard, with an average score of 112. Writing saw 86% at expected and 24% at greater depth. The combined expected standard figure of 86% is well above the national average, and the school’s ranking score of 86 puts it in the top tier of Kirklees primaries. Ofsted’s most recent graded inspection in 2013 rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in December 2023 confirmed that the school remains Good. The previous 2009 inspection had rated leadership and management as Outstanding and early years provision as Outstanding, so the school has held a Good rating across its recent inspections.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment for its 168 pupils. Facilities include a sensory room, forest school area, ICT suite, gymnasium, chapel and library. Sports provision covers rounders, cricket, cross country, football, athletics and tennis, while clubs extend to drama, gardening, choir, chess, eco club and coding. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. The school is Church of England voluntary controlled, so it has a religious character but is maintained by the local authority. With a capacity of 162 and 168 pupils on roll, it is slightly over capacity, which reflects its popularity. This is a school that suits families who prioritise strong academic outcomes in a village setting, and who are comfortable with a Church of England foundation. The oversubscription means applying early and as a first preference is essential.

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