'Great strides' for school after 'turbulent time'

A review of Beaulieu Convent School has praised it for making "positive changes" following what officials described as a "turbulent time".

A previous review in 2023 raised questions about the quality of learning and evaluation at the school.

A new head teacher, Matthew Burke, was appointed in 2024 and speaking shortly after acknowledged the school had "had its challenges in the past year or two".

The 2026 report from the Jersey Schools Review Framework (JSRF) found greater "academic focus and commitment to high quality teaching" and new leadership had "made great strides in turning Beaulieu around".

Criticisms made in 2023 included that teachers were not checking pupils' "prior knowledge and understanding", resulting in them sitting "passively" in class.

The latest report cited an observation from a parent who described the school as "better organised" and on an "upward journey".

The report also said there had been a "positive step change in the academic focus and commitment to ensuring that teaching is more consistently high quality".

"The over-riding consensus from all groups of stakeholders is that the school is being transformed," it said.

Head teacher Matthew Burke recently told the BBC that his school was doing more to ease teacher workload, and that it makes an effort to "acknowledge those who go above and beyond" and find ways to help and support them.

Responding to the JSRF report, he said: "Our continued aim is to further strengthen a school where academic excellence and pastoral support go hand in hand."

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