Thurstable School

Overview

Pupils at Thurstable School benefit from a “well-taught, ambitious curriculum” and “increasingly achieve well.” Leaders have “steered the school very effectively through many significant challenges,” including building disruptions, resulting in marked improvements in teaching quality and behaviour since the previous inspection.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” with staff carefully sequencing knowledge so pupils “build securely on what they have learned.”
• Teachers use “strong subject knowledge” and regular checks to “close any gaps and to correct any misunderstandings.”
• The school identifies and meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “well,” adapting lessons skilfully.
• Pupils develop character and leadership through an “active school council” and a “raft of clubs,” becoming “informed and active citizens.”
• Staff receive “high quality coaching and training” and appreciate support for their well-being and workload.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure all pupils “engage fully with their learning” to improve attendance and attitudes, as some groups currently do not attend well enough.
• Staff need support to provide “sufficient high-quality opportunities to practice and apply what they have learned,” ensuring pupils gain the necessary depth of knowledge.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”