A school is on its way to being outstanding despite a “time of turbulence”, an education watchdog has found.

Ofsted visited Burnham Primary School in Dunkirk Road in July for a short inspection.

At its last full inspection in 2014 the school was rated as good.

The latest report, published last month, found the school continued to be good and inspector Susan Sutton suggested it was heading towards outstanding.

Her report said: “Based on the evidence gathered during this short inspection, I am of the opinion that the school has demonstrated strong practice and marked improvement in specific areas.

“This may indicate that the school has improved significantly overall and may be improving towards being outstanding.”

She has recommended the next inspection is a full inspection.

Her report praised headteacher Kelly Stock for maintaining the “good quality” of education.

She said: “You, your leaders and governors have been relentless and taken decisive action in pursuing excellence under difficult conditions.

“Significant turnover of staff, including senior leaders, has made it difficult for you to lead improvements.

“However, in a time of turbulence you have improved the quality of teaching through regular checking and providing significant training and bespoke support for staff.”

The report said pupils’ attainment in reading, writing and maths was above the national average and lessons in maths were now challenging and exciting.

Pupils’ behaviour was described as “faultless” with the inspector saying they “are extremely polite and well mannered.”

The school was told to firmly establish work to help disadvantaged pupils and raise achievement in science.

Headteacher Miss Stock said: "We are delighted with the Ofsted report - it has not been easy and our staff have worked incredibly hard to meet the high expectations required to get this first part of the outstanding judgement.

"It also recognises that the leaders of the school, including the governors, have been relentless in improving the school despite having had more than out fair share of challenges. 

"We are also being recognised nationally; in the last year three of our teachers have won national teacher awards, and our school was one of ten schools celebrated in the 2017-18 Parliamentary review.

"History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children - our school is the sum of all its staff, governors, pupils and parents who do all that they can to make our school the best it can be.

"We have put our heart and soul into this school and  I am exceptionally proud of what we have achieved together.

"I feel very lucky to be the headteacher of such a thriving and happy school and that I get to spend my days with such wonderful children and talented staff."