Thornhill Community Academy Review 2026: Academic Ambition in the Heart of Dewsbury

Thornhill Community Academy occupies a prominent place in the Dewsbury educational landscape, known widely for its appearance in the documentary Educating Yorkshire. Since those televised days, the academy has evolved under the stewardship of the SHARE Multi-Academy Trust, which it joined in 2017. Serving approximately 910 students, the school provides a mainstream secondary education for the 11 to 16 age range.

The academy currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted following a full inspection in February 2023. Under the leadership of Mr Matthew Burton, who was appointed as Head Teacher in 2018, the school has focused on combining high academic expectations with a strong sense of community belonging. Its 2024 results place it comfortably in the middle tier of schools in England, with progress scores that suggest students often perform better than their starting points would predict.

The atmosphere at Thornhill is one of structured purpose. The school motto, A Place Where Everyone is Cherished and Challenged, serves as the foundation for daily interactions. This dual focus is evident in the corridors and classrooms, where clear behaviour expectations meet a supportive pastoral framework.

The academy is part of the SHARE Multi-Academy Trust, a relationship that has brought stability and shared resources to the site. The physical environment is well-maintained, with specialist facilities for technology and the arts that support a broad curriculum. Students are encouraged to take pride in their uniform and their school, contributing to a professional tone that prepares them for post-16 transitions.

Mr Burton leadership is characterised by a visible presence and a commitment to the Dewsbury community. His long-standing connection to the school, having been a member of staff since 2006 before taking the helm, provides a sense of continuity that parents value. The school operates as a cohesive unit where staff and students generally share a clear understanding of the academy's goals.

Academic performance at Thornhill Community Academy tells a story of steady progress. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, which is almost identical to the England average of 45.9. This reflects a solid performance across a range of subjects, including English and mathematics.

The academy ranks 1,871st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). Within the local context of Dewsbury, it ranks 4th among secondary providers. This performance reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

A significant highlight is the Progress 8 score of +0.3. This metric is crucial for parents as it indicates that, on average, students at Thornhill achieve nearly a third of a grade higher in each subject than similar students in other schools. This "value-added" element suggests that the teaching and support structures effectively push students to exceed their predicted outcomes.

The curriculum at Thornhill is designed to be academic and inclusive. There is a strong emphasis on the EBacc suite of subjects, with 19.2% of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above across these core areas. The Average EBacc Point Score of 4.02 is nearly identical to the England average of 4.08, showing that the school core academic delivery is highly competitive on a national scale.

Teachers use consistent pedagogical approaches across departments to ensure students know what to expect in every lesson. There is a focus on retrieval practice and clear modelling, helping students to build confidence in complex topics. The school provides additional support for literacy and numeracy in the lower years, ensuring that all students have the foundational skills needed for GCSE success.

The academy offers a range of extracurricular activities designed to build character and practical skills. STEM excellence is a particular focus, with students encouraged to participate in clubs that explore coding, robotics, and engineering principles. The academy often engages with trust-wide competitions that allow students to test their skills against peers from other schools.

STEM: Innovation and Practical Application

The STEM curriculum is supported by well-equipped Science labs and Design Technology workshops. The school encourages participation in national challenges, such as the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior and Intermediate Challenges. These activities are designed to stretch high-attaining students and foster an interest in technical careers.

Outside of technical subjects, the academy maintains a healthy sporting calendar and a performing arts programme. The school facilities allow for a variety of team sports, which are central to the academy house system and its focus on teamwork and resilience.

As a state-funded academy, admissions are coordinated by Kirklees Council. The school is currently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity within the local community. For the most recent intake, there were 206 applications for 174 available places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.18.

Places are generally allocated based on the Kirklees priority criteria, which include children in public care, those with siblings already at the school, and those living closest to the academy. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to local trends.

Pastoral care is a notable strength of the academy. The school uses a year-group based system where heads of year and form tutors provide the first line of support. The 2023 Ofsted report highlighted that students feel safe and well-supported, with a clear system for reporting concerns.

The academy has invested in mental health support and has designated staff trained to assist students with emotional or social challenges. Behaviour is managed through a "Positive Behaviour for Learning" policy, which emphasises rewards for effort and contribution alongside clear sanctions for disruption. This creates a predictable and calm environment that benefits the majority of students.

The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. The academy is located on Valley Drive in Thornhill, with reasonable transport links to the wider Dewsbury area. Most students walk or use local bus services. Detailed information regarding uniform requirements and equipment lists is available via the academy parent portal.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state school with no tuition fees. As part of the SHARE Multi-Academy Trust, the school receives direct government funding. Families are responsible for costs associated with school uniforms, optional trips, and certain extracurricular equipment. Support is available for families eligible for Pupil Premium funding to assist with these costs.

• Oversubscription: The academy is currently oversubscribed, with more applications than available places. Families living outside the immediate Thornhill area should have a clear backup option, as distance is a primary factor in the allocation of places.
• Progress over Attainment: While the academy attainment scores are in line with England averages, its Progress 8 score of +0.3 is its real calling card. This means the school is particularly effective at helping students improve, regardless of their starting point at age 11.
• No Sixth Form: Thornhill is an 11 to 16 academy. Students must transition to local colleges or other sixth form providers for Year 12. The school provides extensive careers advice and guidance to manage this transition, but families should be aware that the journey here ends at GCSE.

Thornhill Community Academy has successfully transitioned from a media spotlight to a consistently performing community school. Under Mr Burton leadership, it has carved out a reputation for being a place where students are expected to work hard and behave well. The strong Progress 8 score is a testament to the quality of teaching and the academy ability to drive student improvement. Best suited to local Dewsbury families who want a disciplined, ambitious, and supportive environment for the secondary phase. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.