Joseph Norton Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils' achievement is good and has improved significantly over the last three years because there has been a clear focus on learning rather than on simply managing pupils' behaviour. The quality of teaching is good and there are some examples of outstanding teaching. As a result, pupils make good progress in reading and mathematics.

Achievement in science is a particularly good feature. As a result of better teaching and a motivating curriculum, pupils' behaviour is good, especially in lessons, and improves over time in the school. The school has enjoyed a period of stability and leaders, including members of the governing body, have gi...ven the school a clear direction.

They have well developed plans in place to ensure continued improvement. The welfare of pupils is extremely well supported through a nurturing environment which enables pupils to settle quickly when they arrive at the school and begin to make progress in their learning. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is yet outstanding.

This is particularly true where teachers do not make it sufficiently clear what they expect individual pupils to achieve in each lesson. Sometimes, adults do too much for pupils and more-able boys, in particular, do not have to think hard enough or find out things for themselves. Although reading skills have improved markedly, writing skills are not so well developed.

Information about this school

Nortonthorpe Hall School provides for boys, from across the whole of the Kirklees area, who have statements of special educational needs relating to their behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. About a third of pupils have been identified as having additional learning difficulties, particularly relating to speech, language and communication difficulties. Pupils can be admitted at any time during the school year and at any age from seven years upwards.

A large majority of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium, well above the national average. The pupil premium in this school provides additional funding for pupils who are entitled to free school meals and for those in the care of the local authority. Prior to the previous inspection, a senior leadership team had been seconded into the school by the local authority.

This team has remained in place over the last three years until the end of the spring term, at which time the executive headteacher retired. A member of the leadership team had just taken up post as acting headteacher at the time of this inspection. Following a staffing review, plans are well advanced to make permanent appointments to all senior posts.