Burgate School and Sixth Form in Fordingbridge was inspected by Ofsted on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27, 2024, to assess whether it had maintained the standards identified in the previous inspection in May 2019.
The report, published on Friday, December 20, 2024, praised the school’s progression beyond these standards and its commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.
The school had recently announced that its GCSE results were “well above” the national average, with 85 per cent of students passing both maths and English.
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Ofsted praises school’s commitment to continuous improvement and excellence (Image: Supplied) Headteacher David Pover expressed his delight at Ofsted’s findings.
He said: “I am particularly pleased that the report begins by stating that, ‘Pupils thrive at this welcoming and happy school,’ and ‘The school’s relational and inclusive approaches are at the heart of all it does.’
“Our positive and engaging school culture is something we have worked particularly hard at over the past few years.”
The inspectors commended the school’s “calm and lovely atmosphere” and praised students’ exemplary behaviour.
The school’s “innovative approach to modern education” and broad, ambitious curriculum were also highlighted.
Mr Pover added: “In my meetings with the inspectors, they praised teachers’ high expectations and our broad, ambitious and interconnected curriculum, which goes far beyond the focus of ‘passing examinations’.
“The inspectors remarked on the ‘calm and lovely atmosphere’ of our classrooms, where learning is the priority for our focused students whose behaviour is ‘exemplary’.
“Their kindness, courtesy and positivity really shone through.”
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The students’ willingness to share their achievements and aspirations with the inspectors was also noted.
The school trustees were recognised for providing strong support for the staff and the school’s rich extracurricular programme was also commended.
The sixth form was identified as an area of excellence, with students demonstrating a higher education ethos and serving as positive role models for the rest of the school.
Mr Pover concluded: “Looking back over reports since the early 1990s, I believe this to be the best Ofsted report that the school has ever received.”