News

Bourne Education Trust is delighted to announce that Marnel Junior School has officially been deemed an ‘Outstanding’ school, following its recent inspection by Ofsted.

Having joined the Trust in April 2021, following a disappointing inspection which rated overall effectiveness at the school as inadequate, Marnel has been on a remarkable journey of rapid improvement, characterised by resilience, hard work, and a collective pursuit of excellence.

Following their visit, inspectors noted, "Pupils thrive at this highly ambitious and inclusive school. They live up to the school’s expectations and burst with pride about their high achievements….The school is unrelenting in its ambition for all pupils, both academically and pastorally” with “this ambition highly evident in the design of the curriculum.” Additionally, they went on to remark, "The school’s culture is shaped by its well-known learning behaviours. Relationships between staff and pupils are exceptionally strong and based on mutual respect."

A further area of praise highlighted by the report was the prominence of reading - "Pupils are highly successful and enthusiastic readers because the school places great emphasis on the teaching of reading" - part of Marnel’s pledge to equip pupils with essential literacy skills for lifelong success.

Beyond academic excellence, Marnel was commended for its commitment to nurturing responsible and active citizens through diverse community links. Moreover, the report praised the impeccable behaviour observed, describing pupils as "attentive and enthusiastic in lessons”, reflecting the values of respect and responsibility instilled within the school community.

Alex Russell, BET CEO said: "The journey to ‘Outstanding’ has been a collective endeavour, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire school community for their unwavering support for Tijhs, his team, and the wonderful pupils at Marnel. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing the highest standards of education and opportunities for all our pupils. Congratulations Marnel on this exceptional accomplishment!”

Tijhs Jordan, Headteacher said: "It's a momentous occasion that fills us all with pride and joy. The journey we've been on, transforming from an inadequate grading to outstanding is nothing short of amazing."

To read the full report please click here.