Sir John Thursby Community College
About Sir John Thursby Community College
Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley serves a student body where 38.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, and its headline Progress 8 score of -0.29 sits below the Lancashire local authority average of -0.11. That gap of 0.18 points places the school in the bottom half nationally, ranking 4th out of 5 secondary schools in Burnley itself and 52nd out of 90 across the wider Lancashire area. While the score is negative, it's worth noting that the school's Progress 8 confidence interval ranges from -0.49 to -0.09, meaning the true figure could be closer to the LA average at the upper end. The school's attainment 8 score of 37.5 and the fact that 51.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths (the basics 9-4 measure) provide a fuller picture of where students finish compared with their starting points.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
25 Apr 2023Source: Ofsted, 29 Jun 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:10
Source: sirjohnthursby.lancs.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sir John Thursby Community College
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices