Barrow CEVC Primary School, near Bury St Edmunds, achieves ‘outstanding’ in three of five areas following Ofsted inspection

A school where children get a ‘fabulous start’ is ‘delighted’ to have been judged to be ‘outstanding’ in a number of areas.

Barrow CEVC Primary School, near Bury St Edmunds, was inspected by Ofsted in September, gaining the top rating in three out of five categories.

The school, which has 206 on roll, achieved outstanding for pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision, while quality of education and leadership and management were rated ‘good’.

The Ofsted report said: “Pupils thrive in this inclusive, supportive school. Warm relationships with staff ensure that pupils feel safe and happy...Children get off to a fabulous start at this school.”

The report also said pupils’ conduct ‘is exemplary throughout the school’, ‘the way the school supports pupils’ development and expands their character is exceptional’ and ‘pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and achieve well in lessons’.

Headteacher Helen Ashe said: “The report is a great reflection of the hard work, commitment, and dedication of the school team, children and wider school community.

“We’re pleased that it highlights many strengths of the school which inspectors recognised during their short visit and are delighted with the areas judged Outstanding.

“We are pleased that Ofsted has recognised all the hard work that goes in to making Barrow the special place that it is. We are committed to ensuring that our children continue to receive the best possible education and support.”

Here are some highlights from the report:

•The school’s ambition for pupils is reflected in the broad and carefully planned curriculum. The school forensically reviews what is working well and takes sensible actions to strengthen the curriculum;

•In lessons, teachers present information clearly and precisely. They check pupils’ understanding and help them when things are more challenging;

•Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are fully included in the life of the school. Teachers know pupils well. This helps them to identify pupils’ needs astutely and adapt learning to match the ambition of the curriculum;

•High expectations for behaviour extend to attendance. The school checks pupils’ attendance with rigor to ensure it remains high;

•The wide range of interesting and extensive extracurricular opportunities results in strong participation, allowing all pupils to develop new talents and interests;

•The school seeks feedback from parents to ensure continuous improvement, resulting in high levels of parent satisfaction.

In areas to focus on for improvement, Ofsted found some elements of the wider curriculum were not taught as well as others and the school’s work to embed the curriculum was not fully realised in Key Stage 2, particularly in maths.