Bannockburn Primary School, a proud member of the PolyMAT Trust, has been officially recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding across all five inspection categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision. This powerful endorsement follows the school's inspection on 10 and 11 June 2025.

PolyMAT is immensely proud of Bannockburn Primary School’s exceptional achievement, which reflects the dedication, heart, and high standards that define the trust’s vision for education.

Tim Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT comments:

“This recognition affirms Bannockburn’s unwavering dedication to fostering excellence, equity and empowerment. We’re incredibly proud of every student, parent/carer, and member of staff who made this achievement possible.”

Rachel Ford, Headteacher of Bannockburn Primary School added:

“This outcome reflects the shared passion and integrity that drives our entire school community. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a collaborative and supportive school community.”

 

A culture of excellence and warmth

Inspectors described Bannockburn as “an oasis of calm,” where pupils manage their behaviour “exceptionally well” and demonstrate pride in their school through “kindness, positivity, and respect.” Relationships across the school were praised as “warm and respectful,” creating a “highly supportive and nurturing environment for learning.”

Ambitious learning for all

The curriculum was commended as “broad and ambitious,” thoughtfully sequenced to allow children to build on existing knowledge. A standout example came from the music provision, where pupils progress from learning basic patterns in Year 3 to exploring atmosphere through chord sequences in Year 6. Teachers were recognised for skilfully connecting pupils’ learning to wider themes, helping them become “knowledgeable and articulate learners.”

Early years and SEND success

The Early Years environment was hailed as “exciting and enabling,” with children confidently engaging in a range of activities. Staff were celebrated for helping children develop “language and communication skills” that set them up for success in Year 1. Inspectors highlighted that pupils with SEND “do very well from their different starting points,” due to timely support and adaptive teaching strategies.

A love of reading and leadership

Reading is at the heart of Bannockburn’s culture, with “engaging and animated” story sessions and an expertly delivered phonics programme. The school’s approach to personal development stood out for its uniqueness and impact - every pupil from Year 2 upwards takes part in leadership groups like the ‘media team’ and ‘premises personnel’, contributing meaningfully to school life.

A community powerhouse

Beyond academics, pupils are active citizens - cooking and selling healthy meals, raising funds for charity, and mentoring younger peers. Breaktimes offer a variety of enriching activities, from gardening to organised sports, reinforcing values like kindness, creativity, and service.

Staff pride and strong leadership

Staff reported feeling “happy and proud to work here,” supported by tireless efforts from leaders and governors. The school’s commitment to hearing student voices in decision-making was lauded, ensuring that all policies and changes serve pupils’ best interests.