The Burgate School and Sixth Form

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 26 November 2024

Pupils thrive at this welcoming and happy school. The school's relational and inclusive approaches are at the heart of all it does. Pupils are known well and treated as individuals. Consequently, they trust staff to listen to them and help them if necessary. Behaviour is exemplary in lessons and in social time. Pupils are respectful and polite to adults and to each other. Sixth-form students are excellent role models for younger pupils. The school offers an ambitious curriculum in all years which goes beyond preparing pupils for examinations. The Year 9 'exploration' activities provide opportunities for pupils to apply learning from a range of areas to cross-curricular projects. For example, film studies in French and Spanish, to a helicopter project in design and technology. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are successful in public examinations and are rightly proud of their achievements. The school offers a rich and varied extra-curricular programme which develops character and nurtures pupils' talents and interests. Staff ensure that the activities are open to all. Pupils value these and participate widely in them. Parents value the balance struck between striving for high academic standards and the personal development of each pupil.

What the school should improve

• The school's strong pedagogical approaches are not always used as consistently across the curriculum. This means that sometimes, pupils are not supported to think deeply as they could, or apply their knowledge to more complex tasks. The school should continue its work with staff to refine their understanding of different pedagogical approaches, so that they are used equally well in all areas.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)