The inspection, which took place over two days, assessed the school's performance in a number of areas, including the quality of education provided and how students are supported to achieve well, how well the Academy supports students’ personal development, the behaviour of students and safeguarding processes. The report praises the school’s leadership team and acknowledges that their ethos of ‘work hard, be nice’ permeates throughout the school. Further, the Ofsted report also commends the commitment of leaders and staff in improving the ambitions and life chances of its students.

The report states that: “Leaders have an ambitious vision for education at Thornhill Community Academy. Leaders’ values and actions are inspirational for staff who work at the school, staff are knowledgeable and passionate, and have high expectations for pupils’ achievement and behaviour.”

The good behaviour of students is also acknowledged by inspectors. The report comments that “behaviour is excellent in the majority of lessons” and that “there are high levels of mutual respect and tolerance among pupils and staff.”

Further, the report states: “Pupils have positive relationships with staff and one another. Bullying is rare.”

The Academy, which serves families around the local area, is identified by inspectors as serving its local community well. The report highlights the school's commitment to providing a broad and balanced curriculum, as well as its commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for its students recognising that “there is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school.”

Matthew Burton, Head teacher, told us: “It is with great pride that I can officially announce that the inspection team rated Thornhill Community Academy overall as a ‘Good’ school, with an ‘Outstanding’ judgement in one area.”

“The outcome doesn’t change the way we work or what we focus on. Moreover, it strengthens our view that what we do at Thornhill Community Academy works. We focus on the right priorities, we’re clear about what we want, and we have amazing students who do amazing things. We certainly don’t run the Academy ‘for Ofsted’, so absolutely nothing changes in the day-to-day working of the Academy, and the inspection team were highly professional and developmental in their work. We will continue to be nice, work hard and push towards ensuring that every single student achieves their potential...in the way we always have.”

“I am very pleased that we have had the chance to show the inspection team what we do. As ever, I’m exceptionally proud of what our staff, students and community continue to achieve on a daily basis.

A copy of the Ofsted report can be viewed from the Academy’s website and is available at: Thornhill Community Academy, A SHARE Academy - OFSTED Report