'Friendly' Hartlepool school is again classed as 'good' by education inspectors

A school is celebrating after education watchdogs once again judged it as “good”.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Throston Primary School, in Flint Walk, Hartlepool, has been praised by Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) following a two-day visit earlier this year.

A new report states “leaders are highly ambitious for all pupils” and that “staff work together as an effective team”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It adds that “pupils speak highly of this friendly school” and outlines how “families appreciate the help they were given during Covid-19 restrictions”.

Throston Primary School pupils Eloise Grimston, Isabelle Hicks and Marie Gofton cashing in their book tokens at the book machine within the school. Pictures by FRANK REID.Throston Primary School pupils Eloise Grimston, Isabelle Hicks and Marie Gofton cashing in their book tokens at the book machine within the school. Pictures by FRANK REID.
Throston Primary School pupils Eloise Grimston, Isabelle Hicks and Marie Gofton cashing in their book tokens at the book machine within the school. Pictures by FRANK REID.

One parent told inspectors “the pastoral care is wonderful” and added: “Staff are passionate and supportive and encourage all the children to achieve their best.”

Other areas praised in the report include Throston’s work with pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities as well as the school’s use of catch-up funding following coronavirus disruption.

A shorter list of concerns said a “new approach to teaching phonics is still in the early stages” and that “some pupils are not accessing the new reading programme”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Delighted headteacher Mark Atkinson said afterwards: "We are thrilled to know that despite the pandemic, and the subsequent disruption that this brought, Ofsted agree that we are still delivering a high standard of education.

Throston Primary school pupil Charlie Hutchinson  with teacher Stephen Molyneux taking part in online learning at Throston Primary School.Throston Primary school pupil Charlie Hutchinson  with teacher Stephen Molyneux taking part in online learning at Throston Primary School.
Throston Primary school pupil Charlie Hutchinson with teacher Stephen Molyneux taking part in online learning at Throston Primary School.

“It was great to see that Ofsted described us as a ‘friendly school’ where there are extremely positive and strong relationships between pupils, families and staff.

"We are also delighted to know that Ofsted have acknowledged our drive to promote a love of reading and our commitment to support pupil’s personal development.

"Ofsted also stated that children in Early Years are prepared well for their next steps in learning and pupils with special educational needs are supported effectively.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Needless to say, Ofsted did not just tell us about our many positives, they have also suggested areas in which we can improve further.

Throston Primary School headteacher Mark Atkinson.Throston Primary School headteacher Mark Atkinson.
Throston Primary School headteacher Mark Atkinson.

"We will now work on developing these areas to further improve the school.

"For example, enhancing fluency in Key Stage 2, via a wider roll-out of our validated systematic synthetics programme, Little Wandle.”

The February visit was classed as a section 8 inspection, where schools are checked to see if they are still good or outstanding, and follows a similar verdict in 2017.

Throston was last judged by a full inspection to be “good” – which is the second highest of four ratingss – in 2012.