In September 2023, our school was visited by one of His Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) to judge our school's progress since our OFSTED inspection in May 2022.

It was an extremely positive visit and recognised the huge improvements and developments made since our inspection.

It recognises:

• The redesign of our curriculum 
• Improvements in strategies for managing pupil behaviour
• The high expectations and the learning environment in the Foundation Stage
• The impact of our new Phonics programme on early reading

The report recognises that school leaders are taking effective action to ensure that our school is judged as 'Good' at its next OFSTED inspection.

The HMI Final Report can be read below.

Our school was inspected by OFSTED on the 24th and 25th May 2022. In their report they note the following strengths:

• Pupils at Buswells Lodge enjoy learning in all the subjects of the school’s new curriculum. Pupils can discuss what they are learning. For example, some pupils speak with interest about their recent topic on the human heart. They enjoy reading books by different authors and sharing stories together as a whole class.  
• Pupils’ personal development is a strength. Pupils learn about their multi-cultural school. They appreciate each other’s similarities and differences. The school’s ‘learning power’ mascots help pupils when they are learning. For example, pupils remember the mascot ‘Determino’ in mathematics when they do not get things right the first time.  
•  Pupils are polite and respectful to visitors and adults. Most of the time, they behave well.
• The school’s curriculum is developing. Pupils are now taught all national curriculum subjects. 
• Pupils with SEND have strong relationships with the staff who support them. The nurture provision helps pupils who have anxiety or struggle to settle at school. 
• In some subjects, such as physical education and mathematics, the curriculum is well sequenced. Pupils’ learning develops as they move through the school. Teachers recap prior learning to help pupils remember key knowledge. For example, pupils use the ‘flashback four’ approach in mathematics to help them recall knowledge before moving on.  
•  The school’s curriculum for personal development and relationships and sex education is a strength. Pupils talk with confidence about what they have learned. This includes learning about their bodies, consent, healthy relationships and mental health. Pupils are taught to be resilient learners. Pupils are keen to develop the school’s eco-status. They seek funding to establish the school’s ‘tiny forest’. Pupils are determined to make the school a ‘greener place’.  
•  The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.  Staff across the school know they must be vigilant. They receive frequent training to keep safeguarding at the forefront of their minds. They know how to pass on concerns, including if they have any about other staff or leaders. Leaders follow up concerns about pupils with rigour. They pass on concerns to other agencies when they need to. If they are unable to get support from other agencies, leaders make sure they keep in regular contact with families and offer support when needed. Record-keeping and pre-employment checks are thorough, and staff are steadfast in maintaining accurate records. 

The full report can be accessed below.