Thurston Community College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal, through her determination and vision, has ensured that high standards have been maintained as the school has expanded to admit pupils in Years 7 and 8. Governors are professional and knowledgeable. They have a clear understanding of the school's priorities and they hold school leaders to account for their performance.

School leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. They focus on the right priorities for development, and rigorously monitor the success of their improvement plans. Leaders' actions have secured high-quality teaching, learning and assessment in almost all areas of the school's prov...ision.

Most groups of pupils, including the most able and those who are disadvantaged, now make strong progress from their starting points. The curriculum, including careers guidance, is of a high quality. Pupils are well supported and achieve appropriate post-16 and post-18 education, training or employment opportunities.

Most parents speak highly of the school and would recommend it to other parents. The sixth-form provision is good. Students receive high-quality teaching and support, and are making good progress in most subjects.

Pupils feel safe and are kept safe. Leaders have placed a high priority on addressing their social, emotional and mental health needs. Behaviour in lessons is good.

Pupils are polite and respectful. A small number of pupils do not behave as well as their peers at breaktimes and during lunchtime. Overall attendance is above average.

However, disadvantaged pupils do not attend as regularly as they should. In modern foreign languages, and occasionally in mathematics, pupils do not make the rapid progress of which they are capable. On occasion, some teaching does not give clear enough guidance to pupils about how they can improve their learning.

For example, the least able pupils are not being consistently well supported to develop their literacy and numeracy skills quickly.

Information about this school

The school is a larger-than-average-sized secondary school. At the previous inspection, Thurston Community College was an upper school with pupils in Years 9 to 13.

It now also admits pupils in Years 7 and 8. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is lower than the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities, including those with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan, is lower than the national average. A small number of pupils attend registered alternative provision with P.L.

O.T Community Interest Company, and Thrive. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum requirements for pupils' attainment and progress.