Thomasson Memorial School
Devonshire Road, Bolton, BL1 4PJ
Ofsted Report
Devonshire Road, Bolton, BL1 4PJ
Ofsted Report
Ofsted
Good
View Report
Pupils
77
Ages
2 - 16
Gender
Co-educational
Type
Community Special School
Head Teacher
Mrs Lisa Lane
Thomasson Memorial School in Bolton caters to 77 students aged 2-16, with a majority of 11-year-olds. The academic performance, unfortunately, falls below expectations, with 100% of students scoring in the lower cohort for key stage 2. The average score across subjects is 3.9, indicating room for improvement. However, the school’s commitment to supporting disadvantaged students is commendable, with 4 students receiving additional assistance.
In terms of pastoral care, Thomasson Memorial School provides a welcoming environment for all students, regardless of background. While no students have SEN statements or EHC plans, the school’s inclusive approach is evident with 71% of students having English as an additional language.
Extra-curricular activities seem to be lacking, as there is no mention of any in the data provided. This could be an area for the school to focus on to enhance the overall student experience.
Overall, Thomasson Memorial School in Bolton has potential for growth academically and in providing a more diverse range of activities for its students. With a strong focus on inclusivity and support for disadvantaged students, the school has a solid foundation to build upon.
In conclusion, Thomasson Memorial School has the opportunity to further enhance its academic performance and extra-curricular offerings to provide a well-rounded education for its students.
Thomasson Memorial School, located in Bolton, Lancashire, is recognized as a good school following its recent inspection on March 26 and 27, 2024. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils arrive each day with smiles, feeling safe, accepted, and valued. Many students, including those in early years, come to the school with limited communication skills. The school’s high expectations and focus on oral communication and sign-supported English play a transformative role in their development. The curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of all pupils, including those as young as two and three years old, ensuring they can communicate their needs and access a broad and ambitious educational experience.
Pupils exhibit patient, kind, and respectful behavior towards one another. When challenges arise, staff provide targeted support to help students learn self-regulation. Engagement in lessons is high, with pupils enjoying a disruption-free learning environment. The school offers a wide range of opportunities for broader development, including residential trips, the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme, and work experience placements, which help pupils build confidence and social skills necessary for independent living.
In recent years, the school has significantly improved its curriculum for all pupils, aligning it with the national curriculum while incorporating specialized lessons in British sign language and deaf studies. This approach allows pupils to explore their identity and deaf culture as part of their daily learning. The curriculum enables most pupils to gain a breadth of knowledge and access a variety of qualifications at key stage four that cater to their needs and interests.
Teachers are clear about the essential knowledge pupils should acquire in each subject, and the school has thoughtfully organized this knowledge to connect with pupils’ broader development. However, in a few subjects, the school is still refining what pupils should learn, and the assessment strategies in these areas are less effective. This can lead to gaps in knowledge not being adequately identified or addressed, impacting some pupils' ability to build on prior learning.
All staff possess expertise in teaching deaf pupils and effectively adapt the curriculum to meet the special educational needs and disabilities of their students. A successful phonics program has been introduced, utilizing visual cues and sign-supported English to enhance reading confidence and fluency among pupils. The school environment is calm and purposeful, viewing all behaviors as forms of communication and providing strong support to pupils and their families when needed.
The school emphasizes the importance of life skills and employability, offering specialist careers advice and guidance to all pupils, ensuring they progress to positive destinations in further education or training after leaving. The governing body plays an active role in supporting and challenging the school to realize its ambitious vision while ensuring staff are well-supported in managing their workload during curriculum changes.
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school must continue to refine its curriculum in certain subjects to ensure that all teachers are clear about the essential knowledge pupils need to learn and remember. This will help deepen pupils' subject-specific knowledge and ensure that assessment strategies are effectively used to monitor learning and address any gaps. Overall, Thomasson Memorial School continues to provide a supportive and enriching educational experience for its pupils, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for their future success.
Last Updated: 9 December 2024
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