Thornley Academy
About Thornley Academy
Thornley Academy is a primary school in County Durham that clearly appeals to local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 22 applications for just 13 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.69. All 13 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that while demand is strong, those who put the school first are likely to get in. The school is currently led by acting headteacher Natalie Fountain and caters for children aged 2 to 11, with a nursery on site. It has a capacity of 210 pupils but currently enrols 156, so there is some room to grow. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 40.2%, which is notably higher than the national average and indicates a diverse intake. The school does not have a religious character, so it serves families from all backgrounds.
Key Details
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Jan 2024Latest monitoring visit (24 Jan 2024): School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 29 Apr 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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