The Burgate School and Sixth Form

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders' ambition and determination have brought about substantial improvement in all areas of the school since the last inspection. They have high expectations for the best teaching and learning experiences for all pupils.

The school provides pupils with a holistic and well-rounded education, where academic success and personal development are equally valued. Relationships are very strong and pupils' individual needs are well provided for. Teaching is effective because of strong curricular leadership.

Leaders monitor and evaluate the impact of teaching on learning regularly. They are systematic in the support and challenge that they prov...ide and expect the best from teachers. Pupils make good progress and achieve well because of the good teaching that they experience, particularly in English, humanities and the arts.

Pupils are safe, happy and have very positive attitudes to their learning. They take responsibility for ensuring high standards of behaviour in lessons and around the school. Pupils benefit from numerous opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

They make an active contribution to school improvement through the school council and pupil leadership groups. The curriculum in key stage 4 prepares pupils well to succeed in their GCSE examinations. However, leaders recognise that further improvements are needed to assess and deepen pupils' skills, knowledge and understanding in key stage 3.

Trustees know this school very well. They empower and challenge school leaders very effectively. Together, governors and leaders are ensuring that the school continues to improve.

Disadvantaged pupils now make similar rates of progress to other pupils nationally. The differences between outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and other pupils in the school are diminishing steadily. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported and make good progress.

Leaders check very carefully to ensure that the learning needs of these pupils are well met. Students in the sixth form make strong progress and make a significant contribution to the school community. There is some variability in teaching standards, including in mathematics and science.

In part, this is due to difficulties that the school has experienced in recruiting high-quality specialist staff in these areas.

Information about this school

The Burgate School and Sixth Form is a mixed, average-sized secondary school. Sitting on the borders of two other counties, Wiltshire and Dorset, it draws its pupils from a wide area, particularly in the sixth form.

There are significantly more boys than girls in the school. The majority of pupils are from a White British background. The proportion of pupils eligible for support through the government's pupil premium funding is approximately half the national average.

The percentage of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is about a quarter of that found nationally. Alternative provision is made for some pupils in key stage 4, at Eaglewood School and Greenwood School Forest Education Centre. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.