Thorntree Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Thorntree are happy and safe. They embody the school values of 'learn, thrive, and celebrate'.

Pupils appreciate the work that leaders do to promote high aspirations for later life through the school's 'Future You' programme. Pupils of all ages show respect to adults and each other. The positive relationships they establish with staff ensure that classrooms have a positive and purposeful atmosphere.

There are high expectations for behaviour and achievement. Staff give pupils the tools and support they need to meet these high expectations. Pupils talk about their learning with enthusiasm and interest.

Pupils' positive attitudes towards one another en...sure a calm and orderly environment in and around the school. Poor behaviour is infrequent. If it does occur, well-trained staff deal with it appropriately.

Pupils demonstrate a resilient approach to school, with one pupil commenting, 'Birds don't just fly, they sometimes fall down and get back up.'

Parents have positive attitudes towards the school. They appreciate the way the leaders engage with them.

One parent summed up the thoughts of many others by saying, 'This school is a school that cares passionately about its kids. It challenges our kids to behave, to speak properly, to care and to learn new things.'

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have taken effective action to improve the curriculum for pupils.

The curriculum is well sequenced. It meets the needs of pupils. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Pupils with SEND benefit from tailored support. This allows them to access the same learning as their peers. Where this is not the case, staff put bespoke programmes in place for pupils to allow them to make progress.

In the early years, the curriculum takes account of children's lower starting points on entry. There is a clear focus on communication and language. Adults support and encourage children to develop into confident and inquisitive learners.

They tailor the well-planned curriculum to children's needs and interests. Children are ready for the next stage of their education.

The school's focus on early reading and phonics is clear.

Staff deliver the school's phonics programme with consistency and fidelity. Pupils develop confidence and fluency in their reading. Talented staff ask probing questions in reading sessions to test understanding.

However, published phonics outcomes for 2023 do not reflect the impact of the school's quality phonics provision. These outcomes were well-below national figures.

Pupils enjoy their learning in other subjects across the curriculum.

As a result of carefully planned lessons, they build a secure base of key knowledge and skills. They have an appreciable recall of this learning. They apply this to new concepts in the classroom.

The school has tailored the curriculum content to include local heritage. Pupils could talk with understanding about Joseph Pease, a local railway pioneer. They knew he had changed Middlesbrough by opening the first railway lines in the area.

Pupils have very positive attitudes to their learning. They understand the well-established classroom routines. As a result, behaviour does not get in the way of learning.

Leaders ensure that pupils who may exhibit more challenging behaviour are well supported. Pupils enjoy coming to school. However, the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent is too high.

Leaders understand the causes of absence. The actions that the school takes to improve attendance are having positive impact in some cases, but this is not sufficiently widespread to improve attendance quickly enough.

The school has significant strength in the way it raises pupils' aspirations through the 'Future You' programme.

Across the whole school, this programme allows all pupils to understand more about careers and future employability. It raises pupils' aspirations. Pupils believe they can do anything they want to in later life.

One pupil said: 'Teachers believe in us and help us build up our confidence and resilience.'

Pupils have a keen sense of equality and tolerance. They understand that discrimination of any sort is unacceptable.

The 'Power of Women' ambassadors spoke with enthusiasm about the role they play in school. They visit local businesses and enjoy opportunities such as stargazing. This helps to further widen pupils' horizons.

The spiritual development of pupils is effective. Pupils demonstrate commendable attitudes to those who have different faiths, religions or beliefs.

Leaders in the school and the trust focus on the pupils of Thorntree.

All decisions address pupils' best interests. Governors and trustees have a clear understanding of their roles in school. They fulfil these roles with diligence and commitment.

Staff feel very well supported around workload and well-being. Leaders engage with parents well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The proportion of Year 1 pupils who achieve national standards in the phonics screening check is well below the national figure. This means that too many pupils are not well prepared for the next stage of education. The school must take action to ensure the proportion of pupils achieving national standards in phonics increases.

• The proportion of pupils who are persistently absent from school is too high. This means that these pupils miss a great deal of their education, struggle to catch up with their learning and fall behind their peers. The school should take further action to ensure these pupils attend school regularly.