Thorns Community Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils achieve well. Attainment is consistently above average and pupils make good progress. The headteacher leads the school effectively and is well supported by the head of teaching and learning.

Regular reviews of teaching support its good quality. The governing body maintains a good oversight of the school. Governors question and challenge the staff and keep a close eye on the pupils' progress.

Pupils behave well and have a good appreciation of how to keep themselves safe. The federation of the two schools has begun well and there are good links with other schools in the area. Staff are increasing their skills through these ...links and are learning from one another.

The school is a happy place. The pupils make good friends, enjoy their learning and are pleased to attend school. Staff take good care of the pupils and the pupils enjoy good relationships with them.

The vast majority of parents are very happy with the education provided and would recommend the school to others. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Despite good attainment in mathematics, teachers' skills in teaching it are not yet as good as they are in English which sometimes prevents pupils of average and lower ability picking up new learning as quickly as they could. While the proportion of pupils reaching the higher level in reading and mathematics is well above average, not enough pupils yet reach the higher level in writing.

Pupils do not have enough opportunities to develop and apply their information and communications technology (ICT) skills in lessons.

Information about this school

This school is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The school has been part of a formal federation with a neighbouring junior school since January 2011.

The two schools share a single governing body. The headteacher is the executive headteacher of the two schools. A member of staff, the head of teaching and learning, assumes responsibility when the headteacher is off-site.

Most pupils are White British. A lower percentage of pupils than in schools nationally are from minority ethnic groups, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. The school currently supports a below-average proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs at the stage known as school action.

The proportion supported by school action plus or through a statement of special educational needs is broadly average. The proportion of pupils eligible to be supported by the pupil premium, which is extra government funding for certain pupils, including those who are known to be eligible for free school meals, is well below the national average. None of the school's pupils are taught elsewhere (in alternative provision).

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