Thistley Hough Academy
Thistley Hough, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5JJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Thistley Hough Academy is a secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 113 schools in Stoke-on-Trent. It ranks 5th of 24 secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in June 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 2 June 2026, report published 6 July 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Needs attention
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 2 June 2026
Thistley Hough is a school that has improved significantly. As a result, pupils typically enjoy coming to school. Pupils attend well and have positive relationships with school staff. They particularly benefit from the school's leadership development programme, which prepares them effectively for community leadership in the future. The majority of pupils at Thistley Hough Academy work hard and achieve in line with their peers nationally. Disadvantaged pupils achieve very well. This means that all pupils, including those with different vulnerabilities, are prepared well for their next steps. Many get the qualifications they need to go on to a range of exciting and interesting destinations, studying challenging qualifications or work-based learning. Many pupils demonstrate the school’s values of respect, resilience and responsibility. They have a positive attitude towards their peers, staff and their learning. However, pupils’ behaviour does not yet meet the school’s high expectations. Too many pupils are suspended or miss their lessons because of their behaviour. Pupils feel safe and well cared for in school. If they have any problems, including bullying, they are confident that adults in school will help them effectively. Teams of leaders work effectively together to make sure that pupils are known well and have the support they need to enjoy school, belong and achieve well. Pupils who face a range of difficulties find that the school supports them very well. The school helps to break down the barriers to their success. As a result, they attend better, enjoy school more and begin to thrive.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should continue to improve teachers’ expertise in checking pupils’ understanding in key stage 3 so that pupils' knowledge gaps are more swiftly filled.
- Leaders should continue to improve pupils’ punctuality so that lateness further reduces.
- Leaders should continue to improve pupils’ behaviour so that fewer are suspended or miss lessons due to internal exclusion.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
200 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,105 pupils on roll, with places for 1,050
Schools near Thistley Hough Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Joseph's College | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 62.4 |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 40.5 |
| Clayton Hall Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.8 |
| City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Demetae Academy | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CREATIVE EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Ms Michelle Lawrence
- Phone
- 01782883500
- Address
- Thistley Hough, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5JJ
- Local authority
- Stoke-on-Trent
- URN
- 139068
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.