OfSTED Report

We are a very good school!

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to attend this happy school. The school makes everyone feel welcome. Caring staff build strong, positive and supportive relationships with pupils, including children in the early years. This helps pupils to feel safe and secure in school.

The school is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils’ behaviour is a strength of the school. They are respectful, considerate and polite. Lessons are rarely disrupted, and pupils maintain their positive behaviour during playtimes and lunchtimes.

Pupils have many enrichment opportunities. Trips to places of interest, including the Fitzwilliam Museum, help pupils engage with their learning and bring the curriculum to life. Pupils appreciate the opportunity to take on leadership roles, such as being a house captain or play leader. They are keen to attend the clubs on offer, such as sewing, yoga and mindfulness.

Pupils are developing their understanding of difference and inclusion through the carefully selected texts they meet in the ‘Burwell Bookshelf’. They build their confidence and leadership skills through ‘culture capital’ projects. For example, pupils create a business in the ‘fiver challenge’ and donate profits to local charities. Pupils are well prepared for their future lives.

Full OfSTED report

Y2 Colchester Zoo

On Monday 20th May, Year 2 visited Colchester zoo as part of their history and science learning.

During the trip, the children saw many animals and found out how the zoo supports conservation projects. They also took part in a workshop about habitats and they got to feel cheetah fur.

This experience was brilliant in enhancing the children’s knowledge about how the zoo has changed overtime and their understanding of carnivores, omnivores and herbivores.

What a wonderful time the Y2 children had!

Y1 History Enrichment

As part of our ‘London Calling’ theme in Year 1, we had a WW2 themed day. The children dressed up and experienced life as an evacuee.

In the morning, the children collected their name labels, packed their suitcases and collected their ration books. They used their ration books to buy the ingredients to make some delicious rock cakes. It was so interesting to see the small rations of food allowed in WW2. At points during the day, the children had to shelter under their tables when they heard the sound of an air raid siren.

In the afternoon, the children spent time looking at artefacts. They tried on helmets, gas masks, looked at WW2 games and explored some military artefacts.

This experience was a valuable insight into what life was like during WW2.

Y2 Friendship Games

A small group of pupils from Year 2 joined other schools to take part in the Friendship Games at Coleridge Community College.

Sports leaders from the college, demonstrated and supervised each mini event. In their teams, pupils were given the opportunity to try Olympic and Paralympic events such as climbing, curling, long jump and javelin. The pupils supported and encouraged each other throughout and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Spring House Competition

At the end of each day, the three winners from each phase were announced. In assembly, each winner was awarded additional house points for their team and a special, chocolate treat.

We were amazed at all the wonderful, creative entries. Your efforts have earnt a lot of house points.

Here are just a few.

Y1 Visit to South Angle Farm

On Tuesday 12^th March, Year 1 visited South Angle Farm as part of their ‘Animals including Humans’ theme.

During the trip, the children were able to see lots of different mammals including donkeys, goats, pigs, sheep and alpacas. They held, groomed and fed rabbits, guinea pigs and baby lambs. As well as this, the children were excited to meet some reptiles including a snake, tortoise and bearded dragon.

This experience was brilliant in enhancing the children’s knowledge on different types of animals, what they eat and how their bodies work.

Y2 Cambridge Trip

On Tuesday 5th March, Year Two travelled into Cambridge city centre.
They spent the morning on the open top bus tour seeing many of the landmarks and some of the human features they had learnt in geography last half term. They particularly enjoyed seeing the Fitzwilliam Museum, King’s College Chapel and the River Cam.

Y4 STEM Day

Year 4 had a fantastic STEM day. The children attended two interactive workshops delivered by Fizz Pop Science, focusing on electricity and sound. We also had a murder take place in the classroom and the children had to use their scientific knowledge to work out who the murder was, including code breaking, building circuits and forensic work.

Virtual Reality Workshop

Year 3,5 and 6 enjoyed a visit from PrimeVR to further enhance their history, science or geography learning. Each class took part in a virtual reality workshop to help bring them one step closer to their topic and help them to understand, relate and engage with their learning. Year 3 went back in time to the Romans, Year 5 went to space and Year 6 experienced the effects of climate change. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Keeping Myself Safe Police Assembly

On Thursday 25th January, DC Rebecca March and PC Robert March led our whole school assembly. They explained their roles, their equipment, what they do and how we can keep ourselves safe outside and online. The children learnt so many new facts and thoroughly enjoyed watching Mr Mayes dress up in the police uniform.