Thomasson Memorial School

Thomasson Memorial School continues to demonstrate good performance as a specialist institution for deaf children aged 2 to 16. The school has created a welcoming environment where pupils feel valued and supported. With a strong emphasis on communication, the curriculum has been significantly overhauled, providing a broad range of subjects that cater to individual needs, including lessons in British sign language and deaf studies. Most pupils achieve well from differing starting points, thanks to effective teaching methods and specialized support, particularly in a community that fosters social skills and personal growth.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe, accepted, and valued in a welcoming community.
• High expectations for all students lead to transformative educational experiences.
• Curriculum improvements include a broad range of subjects aligned with the national curriculum.
• Expertise in teaching deaf pupils allows for tailored curriculum delivery.
• Successful phonics program adapted for deaf children improves reading confidence.
• Strong emphasis on developing life skills and employability for all pupils.
• Wide range of enrichment opportunities enhances pupils' social and emotional skills.

Areas for Improvement

• In a few subjects, teachers are unclear about essential knowledge that students should learn.
• Assessment strategies in some subjects are not effective enough to identify gaps in pupil learning.

In 2024–25 pupils at Thomasson Memorial School attended 91.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 25.0% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 1.2% of pupils at Thomasson Memorial School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Thomasson Memorial School had 2.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Thomasson Memorial School had 80 pupils, 90.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: hearing impairment.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Thomasson Memorial School received £47,953 and spent £50,015 for each of its 80 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £21,000 (£266 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Thomasson Memorial School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Thomasson Memorial School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Thomasson Memorial School last inspected by Ofsted?

Thomasson Memorial School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Thomasson Memorial School have?

Thomasson Memorial School has 80 pupils on roll.

What age range does Thomasson Memorial School cover?

Thomasson Memorial School for pupils aged 2 to 16.

What are Thomasson Memorial School's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 15.3, and 7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Thomasson Memorial School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Thomasson Memorial School?

Thomasson Memorial School is at Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, BL3 3LA.