Thornaby Academy

Overview

Thornaby Academy is described as a “rapidly improving school” where leaders have established systems that have “secured rapid improvement across the school.” There is a “collective sense of purpose” among staff and pupils, with leaders demonstrating an “astute understanding” of the school’s provision.

Strengths

• Leadership and governance are at a “Strong standard,” with leaders and governors aligned in their purpose to give pupils the “best possible start in life.”
• Personal development is at a “Strong standard,” featuring an “extensive and well-constructed” PSHCE programme that prepares pupils well for life beyond school.
• Staff are “extremely positive” about the support they receive, benefiting from a “high quality and evidence based” professional learning programme.
• Pupils are “highly confident and ambitious,” with a “depth of moral grounding” and a strong understanding of British values and cultural differences.
• The careers programme is “comprehensive and effective,” woven deeply into the curriculum with regular employer engagement.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is “taught consistently well across all subjects” to reflect further improvements in pupils' achievement.
• Leaders should “secure and maintain high levels of attendance over time” by strengthening work with families and external partners.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively identified and managed.