Mackenzie Thorpe Centre
Beech Grove, South Bank, Middlesbrough, South Bank, TS6 6SUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Mackenzie Thorpe Centre is a special school in South Bank for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 65 schools in Redcar and Cleveland. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 8 April 2025, report published 22 May 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 April 2025
Pupils enjoy attending school. Over time, they develop strong and trusting relationships with the staff who support them. These relationships help pupils to feel calm and to focus on their learning. Pupils feel cared for and valued. The school has high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils meet these most of the time. Sometimes, pupils become frustrated, resulting in poor behaviour. Staff resolve this quickly and effectively. Bullying and other acts of unkindness are rare. Staff are ambitious for what pupils can achieve during their time at the school. They are determined that pupils will fulfil their potential and that they are well prepared for adulthood. Pupils follow a bespoke curriculum that is designed to meet their specific needs. Most pupils achieve well. The school provides pupils with a varied range of opportunities that enhance their learning. This builds on what they learn in the curriculum. For example, completing 'travel training', that enables them to develop greater independence. Pupils enjoy the opportunities that they have to learn in the local community. Pupils participate in weekly clubs, such as chess, that allow them to explore their interests. Many contribute more widely, such as to the school council or the society talent show.
What the school should improve
- The school's phonics scheme is not consistently taught as intended. Sometimes pupils are introduced to mixed strategies to learning to read. This reduces how effectively pupils progress through the school's phonics scheme. The school should ensure that its phonics scheme is taught consistently well and with fidelity.
- Sometimes, the activities that teachers use in lessons do not emphasise the most important knowledge that they intend pupils to learn. This limits how effectively pupils learn this most important knowledge. The school should ensure that lesson activities consistently support pupils to learn the intended curriculum well.
Pupil numbers and mix
38 pupils on roll, with places for 45
Schools near Mackenzie Thorpe Centre
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo Mowlam Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | 11% met the expected standard |
| Priory Woods School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| River Tees Academy Grangetown | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Attainment 8: 17.1 |
| Hollis Academy | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 5.7 |
| Holmwood School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Corrina McEwan
- Phone
- 01642810730
- Address
- Beech Grove, South Bank, Middlesbrough, South Bank, TS6 6SU
- Local authority
- Redcar and Cleveland
- URN
- 147914
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.