Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Pupils across the school make good progress because they are well taught and enjoy their different subjects. Pupils are well behaved in lessons and during social time. They conduct themselves sensibly and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

Provision in the early years is good. Staff ensure that children are well taught and that their needs are met. Children make strong progress as a result.

Governors exercise their responsibilities effectively. They provide both support and challenge to the headteacher. Attendance overall and for most groups is in line with the national average.

However, the attendance of disadvantaged p...upils is below that of their peers and the national average. Leaders are successfully establishing a new curriculum. It is popular with pupils because : they enjoy studying a range of interesting topics.

Teachers have high expectations of pupils. They set tasks that are matched to pupils' abilities and interests. Leaders know the school's strengths and areas for development well.

They, and the wider staff, have worked with purpose and resolve to overcome weaknesses. There have been no exclusions for four years. Parents and carers are highly supportive of the school.

They value the nurturing school culture and the good communication that exists between home and school. The Minerva Learning Trust provides strong support to the school. Support has reinforced leadership and is improving the quality of teaching further.

Pupils do not acquire enough deep knowledge in humanities subjects. Pupils' understanding of British values is underdeveloped.

Information about this school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school.

Almost all pupils are White British. Pupils are taught in four mixed-age classes: Pre-school and Reception, Years 1 and 2, Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is below the national average.

There are currently nine pupils with SEND. No pupils have an education, health or care plan. The school converted to become an academy and joined the Minerva Learning Trust in 2016.

When its predecessor school was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to require improvement overall. Burton Bradstock Church of England Primary School is one of four schools belonging to the Minerva Learning Trust. The trust board takes responsibility for functions such as finance, premises and human resources.

A local governing body is accountable for the quality of teaching and pupils' outcomes. The school is in the beginning stages of establishing a pre-school. Currently, only one child attends on a part-time basis.