Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys, Thornton-Cleveleys

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders track attendance closely and act fast when concerns arise."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders have a thorough knowledge and passion for the provision in the early years."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school places pupils' personal development and wellbeing at its centre."

Achievement - Expected standard. "The school has high aspirations for pupils' achievement, including pupils who are disadvantaged, those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those who are known to social care."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders show a secure understanding of curriculum quality and use this to make informed choices that strengthen teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that staff identify pupils' needs quickly and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders make firm decisions in pupils' best interests."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their work to raise levels of attainment in reading and mathematics, including for disadvantaged pupils, so that these are as high as those in writing"; "Leaders should strengthen the teaching of handwriting across the school so that pupils develop their legibility, accuracy and fluency in writing".

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 68% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys as their first choice and 65 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 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 Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys are Thornton Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 70% reading, 55% maths); Thornton Cleveleys Royles Brook Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 61% reading, 50% maths); Thornton Cleveleys Baines Endowed Voluntary Controlled Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 97% reading, 90% maths); and Stanah Primary School (1 mile, Good, 93% reading, 89% maths).

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys is one of 20 schools run by The Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 47% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys (as of April 2026): 87% would recommend the school, 90% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest tram or metro stop is West Drive (Blackpool Tramway), about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Trunnah Road (by), 80 metres away.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.