‘Significant Improvement’ at Bovington Academy Leads to ‘Outstanding’ Features in Latest Ofsted Report

Staff and students at Bovington Academy are celebrating following a recent Ofsted inspection which deemed the quality of education at the school to be ‘good,’ with three of the five inspection areas graded ‘outstanding.’

The school, as Bovington Primary School, was last inspected in 2018 when it was placed in ‘Special Measures,’ with ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ in all areas. The following year it was taken over by Aspirations Academies Trust and renamed ‘Bovington Academy.’

Less than five years later, the Ofsted report notes that ‘with support from the trust, the school has improved significantly.’ The areas of Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management were judged to be outstanding, with inspectors noting ‘pastoral care is exceptional. Pupils here feel part of the ‘Bovvy family.’

The school’s leadership under Principal Sara White who joined the school in September 2020, had, it said, ‘created a culture which celebrates their unique community’ and the large number of pupils from military families quickly develop a strong sense of belonging.’

The report also affirmed the school’s curriculum which is ‘ambitious for all pupils,’ and goes on to say, ‘The values of self-worth, engagement and purpose are understood by all. This is reflected in pupils’ exemplary behaviour.’

Ms White commented: “The results of this inspection show the hard work, commitment and dedication not just of the staff and children, but the whole school community. We are particularly proud of the ‘Behaviour and Attitudes’ grading, as this directly reflects on our parents and carers; they ensure their children attend well, behave well, show respect and support our systems and policies. The Bovington Team is extremely pleased with the judgements and will continue to work hard for our children and families.”

Speaking on behalf of Aspirations Academies Trust, Deputy Managing Director Paula Kenning added, “We are delighted by the incredible transformation of Bovington Academy since the school joined Aspirations in 2019. Sara’s brilliant leadership and her team of dedicated staff have empowered the entire school community and Bovington is a school of which everyone is justly proud.”

This article was published on Dorset Echo.