OFSTED REPORT - JUNE 2026
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to be able to share with you the full Report Card and Full Report from our Ofsted Inspection back in June. This is obviously the new style format, which shows and explains the judgements awarded in safeguarding, and seven other key areas of the school's work. It also includes a summary from Inspectors about the experience of children at Bursted Wood Primary.
Under the new framework, achieving a Strong Standard in any one area alone is considered a highly significant judgement. As the Lead Inspector put it to Leaders and Trustees in the feedback, to achieve a Strong Standard in any of the judgements is a “high, high bar.” It is not awarded routinely, while the Exceptional Standard (the highest attainable) is intended to be rare and reserved for schools who lead on sector-altering work, national contributions and the sharing of expertise across the education system. As such, any single area of judgement deemed to be Strong should be seen as an outstanding endorsement of the quality of education and care provided by the school. It signifies that the school is exceeding expectations in the area awarded this judgement.
Therefore to have achieved the Strong Standard in all areas is not at all common, and the number of schools across the country who have been awarded this since the new framework came into effect is not high. Essentially, it sets us among the best schools nationally.
It indicates that provision in the school goes considerably beyond the benchmark, reflecting consistently high quality practice over a number of years, excellent outcomes for pupils and demonstrable positive impact on children's achievement, wider personal development and wellbeing
It should provide parents with clear assurance that their child attends a school where teaching, curriculum and enrichment opportunities, pastoral and safeguarding support, the commitment to wider personal development, outcomes and, ultimately, leadership are of a very high quality.
Achieving this result demonstrates that the school’s work has been rigorously evaluated against robust evidence and that Inspectors have recognised a culture that indicates sustained excellence: past, present, and there is high confidence for continued excellence in the future.
We have thanked leaders and staff for their dedication and commitment, which create an environment where children can "thrive." We have also thanked the entire Trust Board for their contribution to the school's improvement journey, especially as they are volunteers.
We would also like to thank you for your ongoing support and participation in the life of the school, and for lending us your wonderful children who were, above all, the stars of the Inspection. This should be a defining moment for the entire Bursted Community, and something we should all be exceptionally proud of. School leaders will share some of the feedback with the children in tomorrow's assembly and thank them for being amazing! Each and every one.
We will collectively continue to reach for the highest standards of school improvement, ensuring we remain worthy of this significant accolade.
Shirley Puxty, Chair of Trustees
Helen Charman, Principal
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