Thurston Church of England Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils in all ability groups achieve well. Standards are consistently above average by the time they leave at the end of Year 4. Most teaching is good and there are some outstanding examples, especially in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Girls' attainment is particularly high in reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils behave well. They say they feel safe at school, a view supported by parents.

The school is improving because the headteacher has focused sharply and effectively on improving teaching and raising achievement. Leaders, managers and governors work together well to improve the quality of the education the school off...ers its pupils. It is not yet an outstanding school because : While boys' attainment is above average, it is not as high as that of the girls.

The school's range of reading materials does not appeal sufficiently to boys. Pupils do not have enough time to write at length in different subjects, especially on topics that appeal to boys. Pupils do not always spend time discussing what they want to write before setting pen to paper.

Teachers do not always give pupils sufficient time to respond to the comments in their books, so that they know exactly what they must do to improve their work.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. A below-average proportion of pupils are known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for children in local authority care, those known to be eligible for free school meals, and pupils who have a parent in the armed forces serving overseas.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is above average. The usual judgements about current government floor standards do not apply, because the school does not have any pupils in Year 6.

The headteacher joined the school in September 2011. Before her appointment the school had been through a period of uncertainty in its senior leadership. The school is being reorganised, and the current Year 4 pupils will remain at the school until the end of Year 6 (in July 2015) rather than move to a middle school at the end of Year 4.

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