The Burgate School and Sixth Form (opened in 1957) is an 11–18 academy school. The school is situated in

Fordingbridge Fordingbridge is a town and broader civil parish with a population of 6,000 on the River Avon in the New Forest District of Hampshire, England, near the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest, famed for its late medieva ...

, Hampshire, and at the current time has approximately 1000 students. The school achieves results above the national average at all levels. GCSE results in 2018 were significantly improved on previous years with a Progress 8 score which ranked the school third in Hampshire.

Ofsted inspections

The school was last inspected by Ofsted in May 2019: the inspection report judged the school to be 'Good' overall with 'Outstanding' features. Three inspection judgements were 'Outstanding': Effectiveness of leadership and management; Personal development, behaviour and welfare; and 16 to 19 study programmes. Two inspection judgements were 'Good': Quality of teaching, learning and assessment and Outcomes for pupils.Ofsted inspection report, 20 and 21 May 2019
/ref> Ofsted recognised how the board of trustees and staff work closely together which has resulted in a consistent and positive learning environment, where teaching is inspirational. The inspection also recognised that the school provides its students with a holistic and well-rounded education, where academic success and personal development are equally valued.

Tutor groups and houses

Each year group has seven

tutor group A tutor group is a term used in schools in the United Kingdom to denote a group of students whose pastoral and academic needs are looked after by one tutor. This will happen either through regular tutorials, or on a more casual basis. A group of s ...

s and each student is given a house. These are Roe, Fallow, Sika and Red, and house colours are green, yellow, blue & red. Houses compete against each other during the annuals

sports day Sports days (British English) or field days (American English) are events staged by many schools and offices in which people participate in competitive sporting activities, often with the aim of winning trophies or prizes. Though they are often h ...

and in interhouse competitions. The school has a wonderful sporting tradition.

Staff

The previous headteacher, Celia Nicholls, first joined the school as a teacher in 1983, from Ansford School, Castle Cary, and became headteacher in 1988. She announced her resignation at the end of the 2009/10 academic year; after that David Pover was appointed as headteacher.

History

* 1957: Founded in January as a

secondary modern school A secondary modern school is a type of secondary school that existed throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1944 until the 1970s under the Tripartite System. Schools of this type continue in Northern Ireland, where they are usuall ...

, under the name "Fordingbridge County Secondary School". Ralph Labdon, Headteacher. * 1962: Name changed to "The Burgate County Secondary School". * 1967: Ralph Labdon retires and is replaced by David Benfield. * 1980: Following county reorganisation into the

comprehensive system A comprehensive school typically describes a secondary school for pupils aged approximately 11–18, that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude, in contrast to a selective school system where admission is res ...

, the school re-opened in September as "The Burgate School" with comprehensive status. * 1981: David Benfield retires as Headteacher, and is replaced by Alan Hollands. * 1988: Alan Hollands is succeeded by Deputy Head Celia Nicholls. Deputy Head, Ian Kirby, also joined the school. * 1994: New drama block and science facilities opened by

Murray Walker Graeme Murray Walker (10 October 1923 – 13 March 2021) was an English motorsport commentator and journalist. He provided television commentary of live Formula One coverage for the BBC between 1976 and 1996, and for ITV between 1997 and 20 ...

. * 1995: New

sixth form In the education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepare for A-l ...

centre opened by

Esther Rantzen Dame Esther Louise Rantzen (born 22 June 1940) is an English journalist and television presenter, who presented the BBC television series ''That's Life!'' for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994. She works with various charitable causes, and fou ...

and

Desmond Wilcox Desmond John Wilcox (21 May 1931 – 6 September 2000) was a British television producer, documentary filmmaker, journalist and television executive. He worked at the BBC and ITV during his career and was producer of series such as '' This ...

. * 2000: Extension to the Sixth Form. * 2006: School granted specialist status in Humanities (English, Geography and History). * 2008: New Sixth Form building completed and opened by Esther Rantzen.Salisbury Journal News Article dated 21 July 2008
/ref> * 2010: David Pover is appointed as Headteacher. * 2011: Academy Status granted and name changed to 'The Burgate School and Sixth Form'.

References

External links

*
Ofsted report from 2019
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burgate School Educational institutions established in 1957 Academies in Hampshire Secondary schools in Hampshire 1957 establishments in England Fordingbridge