Thornton Primary School, Thornton-Cleveleys

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Thornton Primary School, every child matters and every day counts . We want children to enjoy coming to school, feel that they belong and develop a lifelong love of learning. Our values of Love, Respect and Ambition underpin everything we do, and we have high expectations for every child, regardless of their starting point or individual needs."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, hockey, tennis, athletics and chess.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:50am and after-school care.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Thornton Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 55% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 74% in Lancashire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 86% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put Thornton Primary School as their first choice and 64 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 places offered. That is 1.4 first choices for every place. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Thornton Primary School are Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Thornton Cleveleys (0.2 miles, 73% reading, 73% maths); Thornton Cleveleys Royles Brook Primary School (0.6 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 (0.9 miles, Good, 93% reading, 89% maths).

Thornton Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

38.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (91%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 42 pupils (28.2%) received SEN support and 16 (10.7%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Thornton Primary School has a SEN unit for social, emotional and mental health needs: 8 places, 8 pupils on roll.

Thornton Primary School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is West Drive (Blackpool Tramway), about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Reta Drive (opposite), 340 metres away.

In 2024/25, Thornton Primary School issued 41 suspensions, 29.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.