Thornhill Primary School
99%
Capacity
207
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About Thornhill Primary School
Thornhill Primary School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the County Durham community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 207 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 210 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
the school is led by headteacher S Overfield, it falls under County Durham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 93% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 163rd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 170 in County Durham.
Thornhill Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 69 applications for 30 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 28 were first-preference applications.
Thornhill Primary School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.8/5 from 1 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Thornhill Primary School include Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Forest School, Outdoor Playground, Sensory Room, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Football, Dance, Rounders, as well as clubs including Drama, Book Club, Coding.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 32.4%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in County Durham, Thornhill Primary School is one of the options available in the North East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Thornhill Gardens, Shildon, County Durham, DL4 1ES |
| Headteacher | S Overfield |
| Local Authority | County Durham |
| Number of Pupils | 207 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 32.4% |
| School Capacity | 207 / 210 (99% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (93%)
163rd of 13,686
Nationally
8th of 677
In North East
4th of 170
In County Durham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
93%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
'22/23
73%
'23/24
93%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
69
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
28 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thornhill Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Thornhill Gardens, Shildon
County Durham, DL4 1ES
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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