Thornbury Primary School, Plymouth

In its own words: "At Thornbury, we believe that every child has the potential to achieve great things. That's why we are committed to providing a dynamic, supportive learning environment that helps our pupils thrive. "Nothing is ever too much trouble & all staff, whether teachers/teaching assistants/administrators all go above & beyond to ensure children achieve personally, socially, emotionally & academically."

From the headteacher's welcome: ""where every child, every unique combination of personality and ability, is celebrated and nurtured." Welcome to Thornbury Primary School. We are privileged to have your child in our care. We believe that in working together, we give your child the best possible foundation to help them grow into happy, confident, independent adults."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, cross-country, dance, Lego, STEM, art and French.

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Thornbury Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Plymouth and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 59% in reading and 57% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Thornbury Primary School as their first choice and 47 named it as one of their preferences, for 23 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 Thornbury Primary School are Tor Bridge Primary School (0.4 miles, Outstanding, 89% reading, 86% maths); St Matthew's Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 71% maths); Leigham Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 75% reading, 87% maths); and St Edward's CofE Primary School (1 mile, Good, 86% reading, 75% maths).

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

Thornbury Primary School is one of 9 schools run by Connect Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

35 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Thornbury Primary School (as of September 2025): 74% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 57% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (57%).

14.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 48 pupils (17.2%) received SEN support and 25 (9%) 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.

Thornbury Primary School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 21 places, 22 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Plymouth Rail Station, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Thornbury School (s-bound), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Thornbury Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 6th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 120 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Plymouth (196).

In 2024/25, Thornbury Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 3.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Thornbury Primary School are Tor Bridge High (0.4 miles) and Notre Dame RC School (1.2 miles).