A HEADTEACHER has insisted it is impossible to make comparisons over Ofsted ratings after his school dropped from outstanding for the first time in its history.

Bournes Green Junior School, in Ladram Road, Thorpe Bay, was consistently rated as outstanding – the highest possible grade – throughout the 2000s, but hadn’t been inspected in 13 years.

An inspection published on Thursday revealed the school, which is part of the Southend East Community Academy Trust, has dropped down a rating to “good” following an inspection on November 1 and 2.

However headteacher David Denchfield has said the “more challenging” inspection framework means the results from the various inspections cannot be compared.

He said: “The school’s previous Ofsted inspection was in 2010 and graded under a very different framework so should not be compared to the current framework which is considerably more challenging.

“Our Ofsted report was very positive and highlighted the many strengths of our school of which we are incredibly proud.”

According to the report, published on December 13, inspectors found the pupils are “proud” of their school, polite and understand how to behave while at school.

It was alsosaid the children appreciate the new experiences offered, which include DJing and sewing.

The report added: “The school values reading. All staff receive frequent training to deliver the school’s phonics scheme effectively. Staff accurately identify pupils’ reading needs.

“The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. Staff use many ways to support pupils with SEND effectively.”

In order to improve, inspectors found that some subject curriculums could be improved as they are not “fully developed” to benefit children’s learning.

Mr Denchfield says the school, which has 263 pupils, is “delighted” inspectors recognised the politeness of the children, the range of opportunities for the pupils and the “highly effective special needs provision”.

He added: “Since joining Bournes Green Junior School as headteacher in January 2023, the children, staff and parents have been fantastic and hugely supportive of the many positive changes we have made, several of which were recognised in the report.

“We’ll continue to work hard to be the best school we can and look forward to continuing our journey towards excellence.”