Thackley Primary School

About Thackley Primary School

Thackley Primary School sits comfortably ahead of the local average for Bradford primary schools, and the numbers make that clear. In the most recent Key Stage 2 results, 83% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a local authority average of just 59%. That 24-point gap is significant and places the school fifth out of 153 primaries in Bradford, putting it in the top 4% of schools in the borough. It also ranks in the top 7% nationally for the same metric. The school’s overall Ofsted rating is Good, following an inspection in 2024, but two areas — early years provision and personal development — were judged Outstanding, which suggests the foundations and the wider character education are particularly strong.

Beyond the headline figures, the detail in the exam results reinforces the picture of a school that performs well across the core subjects. In maths, 93% of pupils met the expected standard and the average score was 109, while in reading the equivalent figures were 92% and an average score of 108. Writing was similarly strong, with 90% reaching the expected level. At the higher standard, 14% of pupils achieved the top marks across all three subjects, with maths again leading at 53% reaching that level. The school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections, but the 2024 report shows clear improvement in early years, which moved from a Requires Improvement rating in 2011 to Outstanding now. Behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, were both rated Good.

The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, with 227 applications for 60 places and 82 families putting it as their first choice, so it is a popular option locally. It has a range of facilities including a forest school, sensory room, art studios and a gymnasium, plus clubs that run from drama and choir to eco club and gardening. The SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health support, and autistic spectrum disorder. With a below-average free school meals rate of 10.8% and a nursery on site for children from age three, this is a school that suits families who want strong academic outcomes without a selective or faith-based entry criteria, and who value the outdoor and creative opportunities on offer.

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