Former failing school in Gosport has set high standards

Vicki White has helped the school go from special measures to good in just two years.

And now she’s set her sights on the top grade.

Mrs White said: ‘Since we come out of special measures, we have continued to develop teaching and learning, which was a feature in the report.

‘There is an opportunity for every child to achieve and that is what the school is providing.’

Vicki added that the school has been working hard, alongside neighbouring secondaries Brune Park and Bay House.

Bridgemary has introduced a new marking crib sheet, given to each student in a class. Mrs White said the sheets not only save hours of marking for staff members, but provide useful feedback and is good for students who ‘not often get praised’.

Geoff Conway, chairman of governors at Bridgemary, said: ‘We are not happy with being good – we want to be outstanding.

‘What I see is every time I come in, everyone is up for it.

‘The kids want to succeed and they feel confident that there teachers are taking them in the right direction.’

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education at Hampshire County Council, said: ‘I’m very pleased that Bridgemary is setting such a high standard.

‘Many pupils in the past have moved on to do extremely well in life and I know that the head is motivated and I wish her and the school well.

‘I think Mrs White has moved the school on.

‘I know the community have been impressed.’

The school was put in special measures by Ofsted following an inspection in December 2014 after the academy was branded ‘inadequate’ – the lowest possible grade. The school’s results improved which helped in secure a ‘good’ by Ofsted last February.