Thornton Primary School, Thornton-Cleveleys Review 2026: High-attaining community primary with strong early years continuity

Academic standards at Key Stage 2 are the headline here, with outcomes that place this school well above England averages and among the stronger primaries nationally. In 2024, 88.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. The school also has a distinctive early years offer, with its Pre-School operating alongside Reception within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) setting, supporting continuity for families who want a joined-up start.

Leadership is stable. Mr David Ashcroft is the headteacher, and earlier inspection correspondence notes an appointment from January 2018.

The school’s own framing is clear and consistent, Love, Respect, Ambition appears as a prominent guiding set of values. What matters for families is whether values show up in daily routines. Here, the wider pastoral architecture is unusually explicit for a primary of this size, including a named Family Learning Mentor role, structured mentoring groups, and a Behaviour Mentor role that sits alongside outdoor learning through Forest School. That combination signals a school that treats behaviour and wellbeing as day-to-day practice, not just a policy document.

The Pre-School model shapes the atmosphere in early years. Pre-School children are based with Reception in the EYFS setting and the school states they have access to a qualified teacher, with Wednesday afternoon Forest School available for those attending then. For parents, the implication is a smoother transition into Reception, and fewer discontinuities in routines, staffing, and expectations compared with separate nursery sites.

Day-to-day organisation is structured. The published timetable includes staggered lunchtimes for different classes (Hazel, Willow, Maple, then Rowan, Beech and Sycamore) and fixed assembly points through the week. This matters because a calm primary often looks like predictable rhythms rather than constant novelty, especially for younger pupils and for children who benefit from routine.

The performance picture is anchored by Key Stage 2 outcomes. In 2024:

• 88.33% met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 31% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled scores were 109, 105 and 113 respectively.

• 93% met the expected standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling; 86% did so in reading; 79% in mathematics; and 100% in science.

The school is also ranked strongly on the FindMySchool measure. It is ranked 975th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data), and 1st locally in Thornton-Cleveleys. That positioning places it well above England average (top 10%).

For parents, the practical implication is that high prior attainment is not the only route to success here. The higher-standard figure suggests the school is supporting a substantial proportion of pupils to go beyond the expected standard, while the expected-standard result indicates broad consistency across the cohort.

Reading is treated as a daily priority. The school describes a varied set of reading experiences that include phonics, guided reading, one-to-one reading, independent reading, and listening to a teacher read. In EYFS and Year 1, it states that all children have daily phonics lessons, taught in phase groups and reviewed regularly. The benefit is clear for families, consistent daily practice builds decoding confidence early, which then supports access to the wider curriculum later on.

Writing is framed through audience and purpose, rather than simply skill drills. The school describes using peers, other classes and national competitions as audiences for writing, which is a credible way of raising the stakes for pupils while keeping motivation authentic. For families, that tends to translate into more frequent extended writing, clearer drafting expectations, and a sense that presentation and clarity matter.

Outdoor learning is not positioned as an occasional enrichment day. Forest School is described as a planned approach intended to build confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in a natural environment, and it is referenced across early years and wider curriculum planning. It will suit pupils who learn well through practical problem-solving and sensory experience, while still needing careful balance for children who prefer quieter, more desk-based learning.

As a state primary, the main transition point is Year 6 to Year 7. Applications for secondary places are made through Lancashire’s coordinated admissions system rather than directly to the primary.

The school does not publish a standard destination list for secondary transfer in the material reviewed. In practice, families should use Lancashire’s secondary admissions information to understand how preferred schools allocate places from their address, and to check whether any faith or specialism criteria apply for particular options.

For pupils who have been in the Pre-School, the earlier transition is Pre-School to Reception. The school describes this as a seamless move because Pre-School children share the EYFS setting with Reception, an arrangement that can reduce anxiety around the first full-time school step.

Reception admissions are coordinated by Lancashire County Council. For September 2026 entry, applications opened on 1 September 2025 and the national closing date was 15 January 2026, with offers issued on 16 April 2026. These dates matter, particularly for families moving into the area, because late applications can reduce the chance of receiving a preferred school.

Demand is strong. The school is recorded as oversubscribed on the entry route data provided, with 61 applications for 21 offers, a subscription proportion of 2.9 applications per place. There is also an indication of pressure on first preferences, with a ratio of 1.19 first-preference applications relative to first-preference offers. The practical implication is that families should treat admission as competitive in many years and make realistic contingency choices.

For Pre-School, the school states that children can join if they have turned 3 during the previous school term. It also references the standard funded childcare entitlement, with 15 hours per week for 3-year-olds and 30 hours for eligible families. Families considering this route should still check session patterns and availability directly with the setting, and use the published childcare funding eligibility route.

A practical tip for parents comparing options locally is to use the FindMySchool Map Search to assess likely travel routes and to shortlist alternatives within a manageable commute, then revisit preferences before submitting the council form.

Pastoral support is described in concrete roles. The Family Learning Mentor remit includes attendance and punctuality, bullying, friendship issues, and broader barriers to learning, with a structured mentoring programme at least once each half-term from EYFS to Year 6. That level of clarity can be reassuring for parents who want named points of contact and a system rather than ad hoc support.

Behaviour support is also framed as proactive. The Behaviour Mentor role is explicitly linked to positive behaviour strategies and Forest School involvement, suggesting that regulation strategies and relationship-based approaches are built into the timetable rather than reserved for crisis moments.

The safeguarding stance is made explicit on the school’s own safeguarding information, emphasising that safeguarding is central and that designated safeguarding leadership is in place. The most recent school inspection in February 2023 judged the school Good overall, with personal development rated Outstanding.

Enrichment is unusually well itemised, with a published extra-curricular overview that shows clubs shifting across terms and key stages. Examples include Tri Golf, Board Games, Chess, Choir, Cheerleading, Dodgeball, Yoga, Computing, Hockey, Wordsmith, Gardening, Danish Longball, Darts, First Aid, Construction, and Athletics, alongside football provision. The advantage for families is breadth without over-commitment, pupils can try activities in shorter cycles and then switch as interests develop.

Outdoor learning is an additional pillar rather than a one-off club. Forest School is positioned as a curriculum-linked approach that helps pupils practise skills they may not access as readily indoors, for example building structures and applying practical problem-solving in real conditions. That tends to suit pupils who gain confidence through doing, particularly in early years and Key Stage 1.

Wraparound is also a meaningful part of the “beyond the classroom” offer because it extends the school day for working families. The Planet Club wraparound provision was inspected in January 2025 and met requirements, with safeguarding assessed as effective. The report also sets out a term-time pattern of 7.30am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 5.45pm.

The published school day indicates children enter at 8.45am and the school finishes at 3.15pm, with morning lessons running 9.00am to 12.00pm and assemblies scheduled on set days.

For wraparound, the school publishes breakfast and after-school club pricing as £4 for breakfast club and £7.50 for after-school club. Families should still check availability and booking arrangements, especially for younger pupils and for Pre-School sessions, as capacity can vary across the year.

Open events appear to follow an annual pattern. The school has previously scheduled an Open Week in late September, with booking arranged through the office.

• Competitive entry. With 2.9 applications per place on the Reception entry route data provided, the main uncertainty for many families is admission rather than day-to-day school experience.

• Forest School is a real strand. Outdoor learning is positioned as part of the curriculum approach. This will suit many children, but families with pupils who strongly prefer quieter, indoor learning should ask how sessions are adapted for different needs.

• Wraparound logistics and costs. Wraparound hours are a practical benefit, but families should confirm place availability and how sessions work for younger children, particularly those joining via Pre-School.

• Early years integration. Pre-School sharing the EYFS environment with Reception can support continuity, but it also means families should understand how spaces and routines are structured across ages, especially at busy times of day.

This is a high-performing community primary with clear routines, strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and a practical offer for working families through wraparound care. The Pre-School model is a distinctive strength for families who want continuity into Reception, particularly with Forest School available as part of early years experience. It best suits parents who value strong attainment alongside structured pastoral roles, and who are prepared to engage early with Lancashire’s admissions timetable because securing a place can be the limiting factor.