Burley Primary School rated ‘good’ in most Ofsted inspection categories, and ‘outstanding’ for early years

A New Forest school has been rated ‘good’ in almost all of its assessment categories following its latest Ofsted inspection.

Burley Primary School in Church Lane achieved the grade for the quality of its education, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The school’s early years provision was described by inspectors as ‘outstanding’, with a curriculum that “precisely arranges small, purposeful steps in learning”.

Since September, Ofsted has stopped giving overall ratings to state-funded schools, although Burley had previously been rated as ‘requires improvement’.

Following a two-day inspection in December, a report stated: “The highly skilled staff sharply focus on developing children’s vocabulary and communication skills. These help children to learn how to work together and solve problems.

“Pupils are happy and proud to be members of this friendly school.

“They appreciate the close community, where everyone knows each other. Pupils across the school show kindness and consideration towards others.”

The inspectors continued: “The school curriculum is broad and ambitious. Across subjects, the important knowledge, skills and vocabulary are clearly identified from Reception to Year Six.

“In most subjects, these have been carefully arranged so that pupils build understanding and revisit the important ideas. This supports them to know and remember more over time.”

Inspectors said safeguarding arrangements at the school, which has 91 pupils aged four to 11, are “effective”.

Highlighting areas for improvement, inspectors said the design of the school’s curriculum is not supporting pupils to “understand or revisit” important knowledge.

“Consequently, pupils’ learning is hindered because they have not developed a secure understanding of important concepts,” inspectors added.

“In these subjects, the school should ensure pupils build a secure understanding of important knowledge and remember it over time through a carefully structured curriculum.”

Responding to the latest Ofsted report, a school spokesperson said: “Headteacher Nanette Allies is immensely proud that the team’s dedication to fostering a playful, child-centred learning environment while successfully navigating the demands of the current curriculum has been acknowledged. She eagerly anticipates continuing this exciting journey.

“Over the last couple of years, the school has been striving to do things differently. The vision has been clear: to provide a warm, safe, and welcoming environment where children of all abilities can excel and thrive.”