Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School, Huddersfield

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start in Reception class."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same curriculum as their peers."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils' personal development and wellbeing are at the heart of the school's work."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils do not achieve as well as they could."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Pupils' overall attendance is low when compared with national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "On the whole, pupils do not learn as well as they should."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders actions to improve school do not always address weaknesses quickly enough."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff identify gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge quickly and provide targeted support so pupils catch up rapidly. They should ensure pupils are supported to keep up with key learning so that published outcomes improve towards national averages"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers select learning activities that align closely with the intended learning outcomes. Activities should enable pupils to develop their knowledge and demonstrate the depth of their understanding effectively"; "Leaders should ensure that each subject curriculum clearly identifies and sequences key knowledge. The curriculum should include regular retrieval opportunities and check for understanding to support pupils to remember and retrieve key knowledge over time"; "Leaders should continue to implement a clear whole school approach to improve attendance and reduce persistent absence"; "Leaders and governors should ensure they have an accurate and precise understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They should use this information to support them in taking targeted action that secures rapid and sustained improvement"; "Leaders should ensure that all staff receive the necessary professional development so they can teach the curriculum effectively to all pupils".

In its own words: "Our school is situated in the West Yorkshire Pennine village of Milnsbridge, a historic mill village which lies at the edge of the Colne Valley close to Huddersfield town centre. We are a single-form entry, community primary school, catering for children aged from 5-11."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include gymnastics, basketball, multi-sports, karate, dance and forest school.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 54% of Year 6 pupils at Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School reached the expected standard in reading and 61% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Kirklees and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 74% in reading and 52% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 20 families put Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 22 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School are Luck Lane, A Share Primary Academy (0.6 miles, 75% reading, 77% maths); Reinwood Junior School (0.6 miles); Reinwood Infant and Nursery School (0.6 miles); and Woodside Green, A Share Primary Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 57% reading, 65% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School.

Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School is run by its own single-school academy trust.

39.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (72%), Mixed (16%) and Black (6%).

In 2026, 36 pupils (19.4%) received SEN support and 13 (7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Lockwood Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Crow Lane School (outside), 30 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School issued 12 suspensions, 6.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Crow Lane Primary and Foundation Stage School are Royds Hall, A Share Academy (0.6 miles); Salendine Nook High School (0.8 miles); Moor End Academy (1.1 miles); and Colne Valley High School (1.4 miles).