Thurton Primary School making good progress

Added: 19/03/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Pupils and staff at a south Norfolk school are celebrating today after inspectors said their school no longer required notice to improve.

Thurton Primary School was place in the Ofsted category in December 2006 and staff, governors, pupils and parents have all been working tirelessly to support the school's progress.

Inspectors visited the school again in February this year and ruled that the school was now “satisfactory”. They praised teaching, leadership, pupils' behaviour and the dedication of governors and staff.

Sonia Innes, headteacher at Thurton Primary School, said: “Our school is making real progress and we are thrilled that Ofsted has recognised the determination of everyone involved in the school to see it improve.

“I am particularly pleased that Ofsted has highlighted the support we have managed to secure from parents as we feel they play a key role in ensuring our school is a success.

“The removal from the Ofsted category really has taken team work and commitment from everyone involved and I would like to thank all those who have supported us. We will now build on the improvements already made to make this an even better school, where education is strong and every achievement is high.”


Ofsted highlighted the “good leadership of the headteacher, the commitment of all current staff and the support of parents and governors” as one of the school's strengths. One parent told Ofsted the school had “grown in standing in the community”.

Inspectors also praised the safe, secure and caring environment of the school, and the behaviour and attitudes of pupils.

They said the decision to remove the notice to improve was made because of:
> the good leadership of the headteacher and governors;

> the demonstrable improvements in pupils' progress;

> the decision by the governor to strengthen the leadership team of the school by creating the post of assistant headteacher;

Norfolk County Council's guarantee that they would continue the same high level of support until staffing turbulence is fully resolved.

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “All of those at Thurton Primary School should be commended for their commitment to bringing about improvements at the school.

“Inspectors praised the leadership of the headteacher and chair of governors and they should be congratulated for their efforts to make Thurton a better school for pupils and parents. I am delighted that Ofsted has found that it no longer requires notice to improve."