Top marks for Burnley high school

A Burnley secondary school has been rated 'good' in all categories by Ofsted inspectors '“ after being told it required improvement in its previous inspection.
TOP CLASS: Sir John Thursby headteacher David Burton and pupilsTOP CLASS: Sir John Thursby headteacher David Burton and pupils
TOP CLASS: Sir John Thursby headteacher David Burton and pupils

Sir John Thursby Community College came close to being rated outstanding which headteacher Mr David Burton was the aim.

Inspectors noted that the quality of teaching had improved since the last inspection, was good overall and some was outstanding.

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This leads to the majority of pupils making good progress across a wide range of subjects.

Mr Burton said: “We are delighted that inspectors feel we are well on our way to outstanding.

“With the school’s 10th birthday this year, we are celebrating how far the school has come and looking forward to our brilliant future as a full, outstanding, community college serving our pupils and their families.”

The headteacher added that the school was oversubscribed in most year groups even though it had opened up more places than ever this year.

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However, inspectors said the school still needed to improve in certain areas, noting that staff must challenge the use of homophobic language among pupils.

Inspectors also advised that the school “improve the quality of teaching further so that more is consistently good or outstanding by making sure that teachers plan learning to challenge and motivate pupils of all abilities; adhere to the school policy of giving pupils time to review and correct their own mistakes.

The inspection noted that pupils’ attainment is rising in line with the challenging targets they have been set.

The school’s own assessment information indicates that pupils are making good progress, attainment gaps are closing and outcomes will further improve in 2016.

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It was also noted that pupils benefit from some strong teaching in maths and English. In some subjects, notably science, design technology and vocational subjects, it is at times outstanding, leading to excellent outcomes.

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