The school, part of the Active Learning Trust, was inspected earlier this term with inspectors finding that leaders and staff at Burrowmoor have a strong commitment to the school and that their determination to improve pupils’ outcomes is clear.

The report shows ‘the new Headteacher’s accurate view of the school and actively ambitious vision for the future are securing swift improvements in teaching and pupils’ achievements.’ Diane is a very experienced headteacher who, during her 30 years in the profession, has successfully taken up deputy and headship primary school roles.

The inspection came just five weeks after Diane Hawkes began her new Headship at the school for the beginning of the 2018/19 academic year. Diane joined a team working locally led by the Trust’s executive principal Jason Wing and the heads of school at both Neale Wade and Littleport and East Cambs Academy.

Diane Hawkes, Headteacher at Burrowmoor Primary School, said: “The Ofsted inspection shows that there are examples of effective teaching at Burrowmoor and in these cases, pupils are making good progress. We are now focusing to replicate these examples of great work across our school to ensure that Burrowmoor offers the very best education for all of its pupils.”

The Ofsted inspection recognises that the school has experienced considerable change in leadership, while providing much-needed stability through the Trust and the executive Headteacher.

The Inspector stated: ‘The school benefits from the support of the Active Learning Trust, which provides resources, specialist consultants and training programmes for staff. The Trust enables teachers to work with colleagues from other schools within the trust, including the local secondary school. This is helping to improve the quality of teaching, pupils’ outcomes and the transition for pupils moving on to Year 7.’ 

Diane continued: “We have so much to be proud of at Burrowmoor, however, as the report shows, the inspection came at a very early stage within our improvement journey. We are confident that the school is firmly moving in the right direction and with a little more time we are confident that we will become consistently ‘Good’ across the school.

“Over the past four years, I trained as an Ofsted Inspector, taking the opportunity to visit other local authorities to inspect schools. This has provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to take Burrowmoor forward on its improvement journey to provide our local community with a great school that it is proud of.”

Early Years provision was recognised as being Good with children making consistently good progress, ensuring they get off to a good start in their education.

The inspector stated: ‘Most children make good progress and so are well prepared for their transition into Year 1. Effective leadership in the early years has ensured that children receive good-quality teaching. Since the previous inspection, staff have reorganised the environment both indoors and outside to enable children to make their own choices and develop their independence. Carefully thought out learning areas now provide plenty of opportunities for children to play, explore, make decisions, discover and use their imagination.

‘In both the Nursery and Reception classes, children are given activities that excite them and inspire them to learn. Staff are attentive to children’s different learning needs and, in turn, the children learn to do things for themselves and develop good learning habits.

‘Effective safety and supervision arrangements are in place, both indoors and outside, so adults know where children are and if anyone needs help. Children know how to stay safe in the environment and take reasonable steps to manage their own wellbeing and health.

‘The relationships between home and school are strong. Parents receive regular information about their children’s experiences at school and, in turn, they provide staff with information from home. Workshops and events are organised to give parents opportunities to see their children learning and to share ideas of how to support their children’s achievement at home.’

Gary Peile, Chief Executive of the Active Learning Trust, commented: “I was pleased the inspection team noted that both the school leadership and the Trust understand what is needed at Burrowmoor and is already acting to secure those improvements. We are delighted that Diane has joined the school as its headteacher and all my team look forward to working with the Burrowmoor team to provide the very best education experience for every child at the school.”

The overall judgement from the report is Requires Improvements. In order to achieve a Good rating in future, the school is continuing its journey to:

  • improve the consistency and quality of teaching to accelerate pupil’s progress
  • ensure that teachers provide tasks that enthuse and engage pupils
  • advance the effectiveness of leadership and governance.