Burrowmoor Primary School headteacher has high hopes that it will become ‘outstanding’ in the future

Susan Dobbs (Image: Archant)

Susan Dobbs, who has been in the post since September 2016, said she was “delighted that the hard work and dedication of the staff, pupils, parents and community has been recognised and that the school is now officially out of special measures”.

The school was rated as ‘requires improvement’ earlier this month, however Ms Dobbs says “the inspector noted sufficient – and some good – progress in areas where the school is moving forward.

“We’re now looking forward to working together to make sure that we strengthen the areas we improved on and address weaker areas.

“We want this school to be a flagship school for the local community. Our aspiration is to get to ‘outstanding’.

“We have built up a culture of high expectations and want to bring the school together.

“The school’s strapline, ‘aiming for excellence’, is printed all around the school. The pupils want to do well – that’s something that’s evolved,” she added.

To improve, the school has implemented various structures, including head of year assemblies, which are held every Monday.

“In the assemblies we focus on different themes, like aiming for excellence, British values and setting goals. It helps the children to believe that they can actually achieve something.”

Then, at the end of the week, the school holds an achievement assembly; where pupils are awarded for academic, sporting and musical achievements. The school also has its own code of conduct.

Focusing on systems management, Miss Dobbs states that the school is ensuring “a broad and balanced curriculum” as well as “whole school tracking” – where teachers and staff can look at individuals who need support or intervention.

A nurture unit for special educational needs pupils is also being built within the school, offering specialist support for children who require it.

“It’s about tailoring to the needs of all of the children,” she said. We’re focusing on effective teaching and learning, and pupil progress”.

It comes after an independent review of SEN facilities in the school, which was commissioned by the Active Learning Trust.

Burrowmoor achieved the second highest SATS results in March, with a Key Stage Two average of 65 per cent – compared to the 53 per cent national average.

“We want to make sure the strengths are built upon; keeping standards and expectations high,” she added.