Thornhill Park School

Thornhill Park School is an independent special school where all pupils have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), most with a diagnosis of autism and/or social, emotional and mental health needs. Following a change of principal and other senior leaders, the school has undergone significant recent change and made some rapid improvements to its offer. However, much of this work is in its early stages, and it is too soon to determine its full impact. Safeguarding standards are met, and the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Personal development and wellbeing, including a highly individualised approach to enrichment and careers, are strengths, as is the post-16 provision, which is well tailored to students' complex needs. Pupils benefit from strong pastoral care and positive relationships with staff, and they are well supported to regulate their behaviour and prepare for adulthood.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open and positive culture where concerns are actively identified and managed
• Highly individualised personal development programme tailored to pupils' needs and interests
• Strong careers education and transition support, including meaningful work-related learning and employer encounters
• Post-16 provision is carefully tailored, with a strong emphasis on preparation for adulthood, independence and employability
• Pastoral support is ever-present, with staff who care for pupils and celebrate their achievements
• Pupils demonstrate an increased ability to regulate their behaviour, supported by skilled staff
• Recent leadership changes have enabled rapid improvements to the curriculum and other areas
• Parents and carers are positive about the support pupils receive and recognise the difference the school makes
• Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe, building trust with key adults

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum implementation is inconsistent, with assessment not always precisely matched to pupils' stages of learning, limiting progress for some
• Pupils at earlier stages of learning do not always progress as well as they could in communication, reading and writing
• Attendance registers are not consistently maintained in line with statutory guidance, and the independent school standard for attendance is not met
• The proprietor has not ensured all independent school standards are consistently met over time, and oversight of leaders has not been sufficiently rigorous
• Leaders' recent work is at an early stage of implementation, and its impact is not yet fully evident
• Staff workload has been affected by recent changes, and leaders need to consider this further
• Some pupils' broader learning needs, such as cognition and learning, are only beginning to be precisely identified and supported

In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at Thornhill Park School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

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 independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Thornhill Park School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Thornhill Park School is Needs attention, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Thornhill Park School last inspected by Ofsted?

Thornhill Park School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Thornhill Park School have?

Thornhill Park School has 69 pupils on roll.

What age range does Thornhill Park School cover?

Thornhill Park School for pupils aged 4 to 19.

Where is Thornhill Park School?

Thornhill Park School is at Portland Road, Plains Farm, Sunderland, SR3 1SS.