Virtual Open Event 2020

This year, as a response to COVID-19 we have decided that our Open Mornings will become a virtual experience for our families, where we will still be able to share with you the exciting opportunities and experiences we have to offer here at Thorns.

At Thorns, our curriculum is academically challenging and supports students’ progress through promoting knowledge-rich learning, with a particular focus in key stage 3 on reading and literacy. It is sequenced, progressive and ambitious regardless of prior achievement. We focus students on taking responsibility for their own learning.

CLICK HERE to view the curriculum on all our Subjects at Thorns.

At Thorns, you’ll have opportunities galore. If adventure is your thing, then you’ll enjoy the ski trips, theme park visits, and our trip to New York and Washington D.C. Creatives will enjoy dance productions, live music performances and whole school drama productions, while sports clubs, trips to England football matches and the Duke Of Edinburgh Award should satisfy outdoor types. Whatever your interests are, we have something to allow you to be a little more you.

Extra-Curricular activities have many benefits, including improved academic performance, improved grades, and improved social skills. They’re also fun! Dance, drama, art, crafts, D&T – we’ve clubs for everything and everyone.

Extra Curricular Guide TCA

We know the world does not operate in neat boxes, that learning crosses subject boundaries, and that happy learners make most progress. Literacy 4 Life is the most unique part of our curriculum. Designed and tested by Shireland over a number years, it provides an outstanding grounding in the skills required for academic life in a secondary school. Year 7 spend the majority of their time with a specialist form tutor, who is responsible for their transition from Primary School, but also their academic progress across English and the Humanities. L4L lessons are delivered in a dedicated building, equipped to the highest standards. Where specialist subject equipment is required, students move into the main academy building for their lessons, which allows us to gradually integrate them into the demands of wider academy life. We believe that this approach prepares our learners to think across disciplines, to build creative links between subjects and to seize the opportunities the world beyond Thorns will offer them.

Student Voice plays a very important part of life at Thorns and we encourage students of all ages to take up leadership roles. Our Student Council is represented by students from all year groups and ensures the thoughts and ideas of all students are heard. We have a strong Prefect team made up of 60 Year 11 students – our Prefects represent the Academy at all events and play a part in daily life by helping with break time duties. Our T.A.B. (Thorns Against Bullying) ambassadors are a team of 20 students from Years 10 and 11 who are trained to help any younger students who may be having difficulties. Our students value all these roles highly and are keen to get involved.

Giving parents a voice – a say on Academy matters and involvement in decision making on issues that affect students – enables us to effectively meet the needs of our community.

Family Forum

• Through our regular Family Forum meetings we aim to create an open and welcoming culture, providing multiple opportunities for parents and carers to be involved.

PTFA

• Our PTFA play a vital role in building the Academy community. Whilst fund-raising is a major part of our PTFA’s activities, and directly contributes to the improvement of the Academy, forming relationships and developing links with the wider society also benefit the academy, whilst offering a positive influence within the local area.
• So why not join our PTFA? You can benefit your son/daughter, improve their educational environment and make friends too.

Celebrating Success

• Recognising and celebrating success is a very powerful motivator for students because it reinforces the purpose of their hard work whilst also showing appreciation for their achievements. This, in turn, boosts self-esteem and it motivates individuals to take the next step towards achieving the next goal.
• At Thorns we use our social media platforms to not only promote upcoming events and opportunities, but to also share student success with the local community and our families. This recognition creates positive classroom communities and raises the aspirations of our students. We understand that in some cases, uploading images of certain students is not always appropriate, but wherever possible we would encourage parents/carers to give their consent for their child’s image to be used.

Student Attendance

• A crucial role that parents and carers can play in their children’s education is to ensure they meet our high expectations of attendance levels.

Thorns Collegiate Academy endeavours support all students to reach their potential. This is facilitated through high quality planning, high quality teaching, learning and a positive ethos.

Amongst our students are a number identified with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They include students with a physical disability requiring a wheelchair; hearing or visual impairments; students with a range of communication and interaction needs; students with cognition and learning needs and students who have social, emotional or mental health issues. SEND students have representation across the ability range and in all year groups. Their support needs may remain constant over time or change in line with their personal development.

CLICK HERE to see all the information on our SEND Department.