Thornhill Community Academy, A Share Academy

Overview

Thornhill Community Academy is described as a school where leaders have an “ambitious vision” and staff maintain “high expectations” for pupil achievement. The report highlights a positive culture defined by the message “Work hard, be nice,” resulting in “high levels of mutual respect and tolerance.” While the overall effectiveness is rated Good, leadership and management are judged Outstanding for their “highly effective” actions in improving education quality.

Strengths

• Staff are “knowledgeable and passionate,” using assessment well to identify gaps and “reteach important topics” so pupils do not forget previous learning.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive “specialist teaching” and access the “same ambitious curriculum as their peers,” achieving well.
• The school serves the community effectively through an “ethnic minority achievement hub” that provides language lessons and family support, described as “transformational.”
• Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” with a “strong culture” where staff quickly report concerns and work closely with external agencies.
• Careers advice is a strength, with pupils receiving “independent advice” and forming “ambitious plans” for their future education and employment.

Areas to improve

• Some pupils’ knowledge of other faiths and cultures is “weak” due to “variable” teaching in the personal development curriculum; leaders must ensure consistent delivery through targeted professional development.
• Older pupils “read less widely and less often,” requiring further focus to develop a love of reading across the school.

Safeguarding

The report states that “arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting a “strong culture” where leaders take “effective action to keep young people safe” and prioritise mental health and well-being.