We are proud to share our Barley Ofsted Report from September 2026

What it's like to be a pupil at this school

Pupils receive a warm welcome from leaders, staff and classmates at the gate each morning. Because pupils enjoy coming to school, they typically listen attentively, join in enthusiastically and strive to do their best. They persevere with their learning, whether crafting their own ideas in writing or reading aloud with increasing fluency and expression.  When pupils need extra help, staff show patience and determination in equal measure. They
generally give pupils the guidance, practice and encouragement they need to build confidence and learn successfully. Therefore, pupils feel valued and are achieving more over time.

Extracurricular opportunities make a valuable contribution to pupils’ personal growth. For instance, regular visits to a nearby residential care home allow pupils to chat, read and walk with residents. Doing so helps pupils learn how to build positive relationships with people whose experiences may differ from their own. These interactions bring genuine enjoyment to both pupils and residents. Pupils also benefit from a range of after-school clubs, including art and music, where they develop new skills, explore their interests and express their creativity.

Pupils’ behaviour is particularly impressive at breaktimes. Older pupils take younger pupils under their wing on the football pitch, modelling fair play and respect. Across the playground and field, pupils fill the space with activity and enjoyment, whether scaling the climbing frame, chatting under the gazebo or creating imaginative games around the trees. The atmosphere is warm, active and harmonious. In classrooms, lessons are mostly calm and purposeful. Pupils typically work hard and take pride in their achievements. They value the recognition they receive, such as earning a place in the ‘Kindness Book’. They like having teachers celebrate their personal successes in the weekly assembly. Having staff who care about them explains why pupils attend school frequently and feel happy and safe.

Barley Ofsted Report - September 2026.pdf

Barkway Ofsted Report November 2023.pdf

Ofsted Parent View gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think of your child’s school.

Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) : As Church of England VA First Schools, both schools in our federation are inspected every three years by a SIAMS inspector.  Barley school was last inspected under the 2016 SIAMS framework and was judged good. Barkway School was inspected in September 2024 under the newly revised September 2024 SIAMS Framework.  We were judged as "J1": The inspection findings indicate that the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school, and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.

DfE Barley Barkway Schools Financial Benchmarking Website