Burlington Danes 'satisfactory and improving'

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Ofsted inspectors give the school the all-clear

Burlington Danes School has been hailed "satisfactory and improving" by Ofsted inspectors, who have taken the school out of 'special measures'.

The clean bill of health from inspection body Ofsted comes a year after new headteacher Spokey Wheeler arrived at the school. Inspectors, who visited Burlington Danes last month, say there have been significant improvements since the school's last full Ofsted inspection two years ago.

The report says: "Following two years of renewal and focused effort by staff, governors, the local authority and the London Diocesan Board, the school is now providing a satisfactory and improving standard of education, and is benefiting from stable staffing and effective leadership.

Everyone involved with the school has striven to bring about change in the best interests of the students and their life chances. In the words of a year 8 student: 'I am proud of the school now'.
Students comment on the positive impact of the headteacher in setting the tone of high expectations throughout the school and championing the motto 'Achieving through Belief'."

Headteacher Spokey Wheeler said: "This is a really strong endorsement of the transformation which has taken place at Burlington Danes School. Staff, students and everyone associated with the school have pulled together to bring about dramatic change. I came here with the firm belief that Burlington Danes had enormous potential - and we are now well on the way to fulfilling that promise."

The school's staff and governors have been strongly supported by advisers from Hammersmith & Fulham Council's education department and the council is backing plans by Burlington Danes to become a City Academy in September, which will help bring about further improvements at the school.

Cllr Alexandra Robson, cabinet member for education, said: "This is a remarkable turnaround for Burlington Danes School. It is thanks to the hard work of Mr Wheeler, his staff, governors and parents as well as the support of the council. The plan to establish a City Academy at Burlington Danes offers a great opportunity to build on this progress and the council's new administration is committed to working with and supporting Burlington Danes School in their quest to improve exam results significantly."

Among the changes praised in the Ofsted report are:

• "Teaching has improved and is now satisfactory overall, with many emerging strengths and examples of good practice."
• "Students' listening skills have improved noticeably."
• Teachers use electronic whiteboards to display lesson material 'imaginatively' and help students' understanding.
• "In more and more classrooms, the students are keen to support each other to succeed."
• "There is some excellent intervention work with students who have English as their second or third language."
• "Opportunities for students to harness information and communication technology (ICT) in their learning have been much enhanced."
• "The school is justifiably confident that national tests in 2006 will see an improvement at both key stage three and GCSE."
• "Behaviour and attitudes have improved significantly."
• "Students treat each other with respect and relationships between adults and students are positive and harmonious."
• "Leadership at all levels is significantly improved."
• "The headteacher has enabled those around him to manage and lead change."
• "The school has a clear capacity to continue its upward trends."
• "The school's enrichment programme, particularly sport, is widely enjoyed."

 

June 8, 2006