OFSTED 2025

I am delighted to announce the outcome from our most recent OFSTED which took place on the 25^th and 26^th February 2025. It gives me real pleasure and great pride to be part of such a lovely school and it was made clear throughout the two days that the inspectors thought the same.

I was over the moon to receive such positive feedback over the course of the inspection and felt very proud of all the staff, governors, wider community and, most importantly, the children.

I am so happy to be able to share with you the following outcomes:

Quality of Education- GOOD 

Behaviour and Attitudes- GOOD

Personal Development - GOOD

Leadership and Management - GOOD 

Early Years - GOOD

What will be very clear to you all when you read this report is how well the OFSTED inspectors understood our school and community. They could see the importance we place on community, relationships and our values which are explicitly embedded through everything we do. They could see that we are very ambitious and are driven to develop the children to be the best that they can be. We found it reassuring that the areas for improvement identified in the inspection were already things that we have been working on.

Of course, we always want to be better and provide the very best education that we can. This is a really exciting time for Birchington and it was clear to everyone that despite a change in leadership, the school has a strong sense of unified purpose.

Here are some key statements from the report.

• ‘Pupils conduct themselves especially well. In lessons, they are engaged and motivated to participate and learn.’ 

• ‘The well-planned curriculum establishes effective foundations for learning from Reception Year onwards.’

• ‘The school has the same high ambitions for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) as it does for their peers.’

• ‘There is a strong culture of reading in the school.’
• ‘Knowledgeable staff deliver phonics very effectively.’
• 'An increasing range of clubs and visits capture pupils’ interests and develop their understanding of the wider world.’
• 'A range of leadership opportunities are on offer, including for the youngest members of the school.’
• ‘Leaders have a sharp understanding of their school and it’s priorities.’
• ‘Governors hold leaders to account.’

Thank you to you all for your continued support and for such wonderful comments to the OFSTED team – they were very much appreciated.

With my very best wishes,

Mrs Louise Wilson

Headteacher