Hopton Primary School

Hopton Primary School is a generally effective school that is meeting expectations across the areas inspected. Pupils achieve well overall: phonics outcomes are often above national averages, and by the end of Year 6 a greater proportion than nationally reach the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils are well prepared for their next stage, including those with SEND, and reading progress is secure because phonics is taught effectively. Attendance is in line with national averages and improving, persistent absence has fallen, and behaviour is calm and respectful with serious incidents rare. The curriculum is sequenced logically, early years provision is strong, inclusion is well supported, and leaders and governors have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and priorities. However, there are some important areas for development. Disadvantaged pupils' attainment is generally in line with national peers but remains significantly below that of non-disadvantaged pupils within the school. More able pupils are not always stretched, with some lessons not building on their current knowledge, and writing gaps do not close quickly enough, including early handwriting and letter/number formation. A small number of more able Reception children could achieve more. Subject leadership is still in its infancy and its impact is not yet measurable, and leaders' next steps rightly focus on adapting teaching to individual starting points, ensuring consistently strong achievement across the whole curriculum, and equipping subject leaders to contribute consistently. The school has had significant recent change, with a recently appointed headteacher and chair of governors, and inspectors found safeguarding standards met.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve well overall, with phonics screening outcomes often above national averages.
• By Year 6, a greater proportion of pupils than nationally reach the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Disadvantaged pupils' attainment is generally in line with national counterparts.
• Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of education, including those with SEND and other barriers.
• The curriculum is logically sequenced from early years to Year 6 and builds knowledge over time.
• Phonics is taught effectively, so pupils generally make secure progress in reading.
• Attendance is broadly in line with national averages and improving, including for disadvantaged pupils.
• Persistent absence has decreased, and serious behaviour incidents are rare and reducing.
• Pupils behave well, move calmly around school, and show respect for others.
• Early years provision is well sequenced, with effective teaching and a strong language and communication focus.
• Pupils with SEND are identified quickly and receive appropriate support and adaptations.
• Leaders and governors understand the school's context and have effective improvement strategies.
• Personal development is thoughtfully designed, including safety, relationships, British values, and extra-curricular opportunities.
• Pupils feel safe, proud of their school, and say bullying is rare.

Areas for Improvement

• Disadvantaged pupils' attainment is significantly below that of non-disadvantaged pupils within the school.
• More able pupils are not always sufficiently challenged, and some lessons do not build on their current knowledge.
• Gaps in writing knowledge and skills do not close quickly enough.
• Some pupils do not master pencil grip and letter and number formation quickly enough, hindering fluent writing later.
• A small number of more able children in Reception could achieve more highly.
• Subject leadership development is in its infancy, so its impact cannot yet be measured.
• Curriculum and teaching need to adapt more consistently to pupils' individual starting points across all subjects and phases.
• Not all pupils, including more able and disadvantaged pupils, consistently achieve well or produce high-quality work across the whole curriculum.
• Staff with subject responsibilities are not yet consistently equipped to contribute to school priorities.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Hopton Primary School attended 94.6% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 12.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.9% of pupils at Hopton Primary School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Hopton Primary School had 21.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 12.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 10.5% of pupils at Hopton Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 2.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Hopton Primary School received £6,392 and spent £6,601 for each of its 299 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £55,000 (£185 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Mirfield · Kirklees local authority: places and applications

What is Hopton Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Hopton Primary School is Expected standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Hopton Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

Hopton Primary School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Hopton Primary School have?

Hopton Primary School has 306 pupils on roll.

What age range does Hopton Primary School cover?

Hopton Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Hopton Primary School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Hopton Primary School?

Hopton Primary School is at Woodend Road, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 8PR.