Burley Primary School in New Forest 'requires improvement'

Burley Primary School in the New Forest received a ‘requires improvement’ rating from education inspectorate Ofsted following two visits in June, losing a previously obtained ‘good’ rating.

While the school in Church Lane, Burley, did receive good ratings in three out of five judging parameters, its overall rating dropped after inspectors found that “significant changes in leadership, in addition to the impact of Covid-19, that have impacted on the quality of education and capacity”.

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The report said: “Teachers do not consistently incorporate effective assessment opportunities into their foundation lesson designs. Nor do they always utilise opportunities within the lesson to check that all pupils are developing the intended understanding.

Picture: Pixabay (Image: Pixabay)

“Misconceptions are not consistently identified or addressed. This means that some pupils do not acquire the knowledge that they need to make good progress through the curriculum.”

Despite this, however, much feedback regarding the school culture, atmosphere and safeguarding was positive. Ofsted also recognised the new school leaders were working effectively to improve the situation.

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An inspector found: “Pupils talk passionately about the school’s embedded values of honesty, enthusiasm, ambition, respect and togetherness. Pupils describe how and why they demonstrate the values in their learning, behaviour and outlooks. They are proud to belong and feel the values help them to ‘be the best they can be’.

“Staff are proud to be part of a team with direction, whose members are pulling together.”

In a statement provided to the Echo, acting executive headteacher Nanette Allies said: “Given our consistent record of ‘Good’ inspections previously, we are understandably disappointed by this latest outcome.

Burley Primary School in the New Forest. Picture: Google (Image: Google)

“We are, however, pleased to note the many positive aspects highlighted in the report; amongst these, that children enjoy being in school and have access to a wide range of opportunities across the school calendar.

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“We respect the overall findings of the report and are determined to address the challenges raised, working closely alongside the local authority. All staff fully understand the key priorities that have been identified and a clear plan is in place to action these.

“Indeed, work is already underway to refine our curriculum and streamline our assessment systems.

“We are continuing to keep parents informed about this ongoing work and remain committed to doing all we can to rapidly turn around the current rating. I’d like to thank all of our families for their continued support.”

Burley Primary is federated with the nearby Sopley Primary School.