Knowleswood Primary School, Bradford

Ofsted's report card from its 23 June 2026 inspection grades Knowleswood Primary 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. "The early years provision prepares children well for Year 1."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Many pupils at the school are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils' personal development is a priority."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils have not attained as well as they could in national tests and examinations over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Too many pupils do not attend school regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "The curriculum is taught inconsistently across classes."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders are committed to making the needed improvements in the quality of teaching and increasing the regularity of pupils' attendance."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to accelerate the improvements in the quality of teaching so that pupils' achievement, including in published outcomes, improves"; "Leaders should continue to implement and evaluate their attendance strategy to improve pupils' attendance and reduce persistent absence, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils"; "Leaders should strengthen staff's use of assessment within lessons to ensure that they swiftly address gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge"; "Leaders at all levels, including those responsible for governance, should continue to refine the use of monitoring and evaluation so that variation in practice is identified and addressed quickly"; "Leaders should continue to routinely evaluate the school's approach to personal development to ensure all pupils can access a rich range of wider opportunities and experiences that support their personal growth, wellbeing and participation in school life".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Located on the edge of the Holme Wood estate in Bradford, Knowleswood is a place where every child is valued and supported to thrive. We are passionate about providing a high-quality, creative, and challenging education that inspires curiosity, builds resilience, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning. It is a genuine privilege to welcome you to Knowleswood Primary School."

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2025, 31% of Year 6 pupils at Knowleswood Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 35% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Bradford and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 50% in reading and 59% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 25 families put Knowleswood Primary School as their first choice and 53 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 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 Knowleswood Primary School are St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 69% reading, 73% maths); Ryecroft Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 65% maths); Lower Fields Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 84% reading, 82% maths); and St John's CofE Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 84% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Knowleswood Primary School.

Knowleswood Primary School is one of 14 schools run by Exceed Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 62% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

68.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Bradford Interchange Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Knowleswood School, 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Knowleswood Primary School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Knowleswood Primary School issued 78 suspensions, 18.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Knowleswood Primary School are Bradford Forster Academy (0.4 miles), Bradford Academy (0.7 miles) and Tong Leadership Academy (1.2 miles).