Bamburgh School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at Bamburgh School. Warm, respectful relationships underpin the high-quality education that pupils receive.

Pupils' journey from early years to key stage 4 is meticulously planned out. Everyone unites to ensure pupils secure their aspirational next steps.

Children in the early years approach learning with tangible enthusiasm.

Skilful staff ensure children quickly learn the routines of the setting. Children's play is expertly crafted. It supports the targets in children's education, health and care (EHC) plans with precision.

The curriculum is detailed and purposeful. It contributes exceptionally well to children's learning and progres...s.

Older pupils also experience an excellent academic education.

All pupils leave the school with a range of accredited qualifications. The school makes this success possible through a range of methods. Pupils enjoy the teaching that they experience from specialist staff.

Pupils also receive effective intervention from an in-house team of therapeutic experts. Pupils learn in a culture built around their needs. They are happy and relish coming to school.

Pupils' outcomes, measured in a range of ways, are impressive.

Pupils unanimously say that the staff are the best thing about their school. They appreciate that staff treat them fairly.

Pupils are safe and valued in this nurturing and ambitious school.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Bamburgh School sets exceptionally high standards for pupils' learning. Pupils rise to this challenge with pride.

The school ensures learning is expertly matched to pupils' needs. Pupils can recall important knowledge from the curriculum in impressive ways. For example, pupils enthusiastically discuss alliances in the First World War in history.

Pupils draw upon their prior learning about relationships between significant historical leaders. This recall helps pupils connect new learning in a sophisticated way. Teachers' questions encourage pupils to think hard.

Pupils develop a deep body of knowledge over time.

Children in the early years have a range of complex needs. Staff make sure they understand these needs before children start school.

Therefore, children get off to a flying start. The consistent approach between staff in the setting is striking. Alongside specialists, all staff target children's communication needs.

This helps children make rapid progress in many ways. Staff also work closely with parents and carers. They support parents to meet their children's needs beyond the classroom.

Children delight in the well-chosen activities that staff provide. They quickly learn routines through songs and repetition. Children are well prepared for their next stage.

Across the whole school, assessment is a notable strength. It contributes significantly to the progress pupils make through the curriculum. Leaders have developed the 'Bamburgh Preferred Model' over time.

Staff expertly use this to track pupils' progress across all stages, from early years to Year 11. It helps staff to quickly identify and close gaps in pupils' learning.

Reading is at the heart of the education the school provides.

Staff in the primary phase are phonics experts. They deliver the phonics scheme with enthusiasm and precision. Pupils thrive in these sessions.

Their special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not a barrier to their participation and success. Pupils proudly show their phonics learning to the class. For older pupils, the school ensures a focus on reading continues.

Tutor time is used effectively for extra reading support, where needed. Thoughtfully chosen texts throughout the curriculum help pupils develop a love of reading.

The behaviour of pupils at the school is impeccable.

Pupils are kind to one another and celebrate differences. In lessons, pupils' motivation to learn is exceptional. They are highly engaged and take pride in the work they produce.

Pupils' enjoyment of school is matched by their extremely high rates of attendance. The school ensures pupils maintain or improve their attendance. This work is highly impactful.

The school places pupils' EHC plans at the centre of their provision. Targets are carefully reviewed, amended and tracked. This is a significant part of the school's work on personal development.

Alongside this, pupils enjoy an extensive range of experiences beyond the classroom. Pupils enjoy 'Bamfest' on the school site. They also experience an annual residential and class trips linked to the curriculum.

Such provision in the school expands pupils' horizons and their understanding of the world.

Leaders and governors ensure pupils with SEND achieve the best possible outcomes. This shared vision becomes reality for pupils at Bamburgh School.

Staff enjoy working at the school. They engage positively with leaders on matters relating to workload and well-being. Many parents comment on the difference the school makes for their child.

Leaders, governors and staff are relentless in their drive to improve further. This ethos of continuous professional development leads to an exceptional provision for pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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