Moving beyond the floor target case study: Thornhill Primary School, Rotherham

The school takes its pupils from an area of socio-economic disadvantage.
Pupils receiving free school meals: 35%.
59% speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) (home language mostly Punjabi or Urdu).
Pupil mobility high – recent influx of children of asylum seekers and migrant workers.
Attainment on entry is very much lower than is typical for their age.
High staff turnover in last two years. Headteacher and deputy headteacher new to post in September 2006.
Ofsted inspection March 2007 and judged as ‘an improving school that provides a satisfactory education for its pupils’.

Raise standards in English and mathematics across the school.
Strengthen links between subjects to enrich the curriculum and introduce more investigative approaches to make learning more enjoyable and effective.
Ensure that infant pupils benefit from a more active and investigative curriculum.

Leadership of headteacher judged to be good and some outstanding features:

…her vision and drive ensures essential developments move at a rapid pace.

All areas of learning below the local authority (LA) average. Particularly weak in Communication, Language and Literacy.

Reading: All below LA and national. Improved from 2006 and highest outcomes in 2004-2007 period.
L2+ 67% L2b+ 63% L3 7%

Writing: All below LA and national. Significant improvement from 2006 at L2+ and L2b+. Average point score (APS): 12.7
L2+ 73% L2b+ 43% L3 3%

Mathematics: All below LA and national. Decline from 2006.
L2+ 80% L2b+ 60% L3 3% APS 13.3

English: L4+ 57% L5 3% (Fischer Family Trust (FFT) D 71%, 14%) (Statutory targets: 66%, 0%)
Reading: L4+ 63% L5 20%
Writing: L4+ 47% L5 3%

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