Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School, Kirkburton

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils' workbooks and their recall of their learning demonstrates that pupils generally achieve well across the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils are clear that, in order to do well at school and achieve in the future, they need to attend school regularly and on time."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is well designed and ordered."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years are happy and interact positively with each other and adults."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders swiftly and accurately identify pupils who face barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including those responsible for governance, have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and they community it serves."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have devised a coherent and appropriate personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that gaps in pupils' knowledge are identified and addressed consistently and effectively"; "Leaders should continue their work to embed the new writing curriculum to ensure that pupils are supported achieve all that they can in writing"; "Leaders should ensure that opportunities for engaging children in high-quality interactions are maximised in the early years".

For September 2026 entry, 17 families put Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School are Highburton CofE First Academy (0.7 miles); Shelley First School (1 mile, Good); Rowley Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School (1.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 94% maths); and Lepton CofE Primary Academy (1.8 miles, 94% reading, 89% maths).

15.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 29 pupils (24.8%) received SEN support and 5 (4.3%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Stocksmoor Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kirkburton Church, 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 24 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kirklees (153).

Kirkburton CofE (VA) First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.