Brackenbury Primary School

Ofsted

On the 9th and 10th of May 2018, Ofsted inspected Brackenbury Primary School. Our overall grading was that the school requires improvement (Please click here to view our Ofsted Report.) OFSTED have recognised that recent rapid improvements can be seen in some areas and we will continue to build on that success.  They use the phrase “legacy of underperformance” as they recognise that the school needs to close the gaps in learning that have been in place historically.  Since May, the school has raised outcomes in all key stages and significantly at the end of KS2.  We are now above the national average in reading at KS2 and progress has improved greatly in all areas.  

OFSTED identified the following strengths:

• - The headteacher has shown determination to improve outcomes for pupils.
• - Parents are supportive of the school and the headteacher. They appreciate the stability and sense of ambition she has brought to the school.
• - Progress is beginning to improve.
• - Leaders and governors are enthusiastic about their roles.
• - Their expertise is developing, and they work productively with the headteacher.
• - Some teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan lessons well to meet the pupils’ needs.
• - This is increasing the rate of progress for some pupils.
• - Most pupils enjoy their education and, as a result, attendance has improved.
• - Arrangements to safeguard pupils are effective.
• - Pupils feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe.

• OFSTED has also identified that the school needs to improve in the following areas:

• Improve the provision for children in the early years by:

• – ensuring that teaching is planned to meet children’s needs

  – making activities engaging so that children are excited to learn

  – developing assessment practice so that children’s progress can be monitored more accurately

  – improving the learning environment so that it is a stimulating place for children to learn in.

• Improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and address the legacy of underperformance, by:

• – raising teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve

  – ensuring that gaps in pupils’ knowledge are filled

  – making sure that assessments of pupils’ learning are accurate so that learning can be planned more effectively to meet pupils’ needs.

• Increase the effectiveness of leaders, managers and governors by:

• – ensuring that monitoring is timely, rigorous and evaluative.

• We are determined that we will continue to address the improvements that are recommended through:

• Maintaining a stable leadership team
• - Developing the EYFS through improving the environment, teaching and assessment
• - Ensuring all staff have the highest expectations of what children can achieve – we do not believe there should be a ceiling on children’s ability to learn
• - Ensure our best staff spread their skills and expertise with others
• - Ensure our assessments help the children’s next steps in learning