Welcome from the Interim Head of School
Barham Primary School
Welcome to Barham Primary School — a caring, inclusive school at the heart of its community, where every child matters. Barham is a warm and purposeful place built on kindness, trust and high expectations. Families quickly feel the strong sense of belonging that defines our school, and children are known, valued and supported to flourish.
Having served as a senior leader at Barham for over ten years, I feel deeply connected to our community and the journey we have shared. During this time, I have worked alongside staff and families to strengthen teaching, nurture talent and continually raise aspirations for our children. It is a privilege to now serve as Interim Head of School and to continue building on the strong foundations that define Barham — with clarity, care and confidence in our shared direction.
At the heart of our work is a belief in learning that makes a lasting difference. We want children to enjoy coming to school, to feel curious and confident as learners, and to leave each day proud of their achievements and inspired by what lies ahead. Learning at Barham builds secure foundations, deepens understanding over time and nurtures the resilience, confidence and character children need to thrive — both now and in the future.
Our curriculum is ambitious, carefully sequenced and rooted in strong subject knowledge, with reading, language and communication at its core. We prioritise early language development, phonics and reading fluency because secure reading opens doors to the wider curriculum and enables children to achieve well across all subjects.
Our impact is visible in classrooms and recognised externally. In our most recent Ofsted inspection, pupils were described as “safe, happy and kind,” and inspectors confirmed that the school “has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” Pupils were recognised as “perform[ing] excellently in national tests,” and the breadth and ambition of the curriculum — particularly its strong focus on communication and reading — were praised.
This strong foundation is further affirmed through our IQM Inclusion Review, which reaffirmed Barham’s Centre of Excellence status and celebrated the strength of our partnerships with families, effective professional collaboration and the progress pupils make from their individual starting points. National recognition from the Secretary of State for Education also highlighted the excellent outcomes achieved by disadvantaged pupils, placing Barham “among the very best nationally.” Together, these acknowledgements reflect a school that combines compassion with rigour, inclusion with high expectations and stability with continued ambition.
Barham is a school where belonging drives success. We are proud of our diverse community and the inclusive culture we have built — one where children feel safe, respected and encouraged to aim high. Clear routines, consistent expectations and thoughtful pastoral care create calm, purposeful classrooms where children are ready to learn and grow.
In my role, I work closely with the Executive Headteacher, governors, staff, families and federation colleagues to lead the day-to-day life of the school with integrity and steadiness. My focus remains on strengthening consistency across classrooms, investing in staff development and ensuring that high standards are sustained for every child. I believe deeply in building strong teams and fostering a professional culture rooted in collaboration, reflection and continuous improvement.
Strong partnerships with families remain central to our success. We value open, honest communication and believe children thrive when school and home work together with trust and shared purpose. Our staff are dedicated, skilled and deeply committed to creating an environment where children — and adults — feel supported, valued and inspired to achieve their very best.
We are proud to be part of The Barham and Preston Park Federation, united by a shared moral purpose: learning that makes a meaningful difference for every child. Federation strengthens our leadership capacity, sharpens our practice and widens opportunities for pupils, while preserving the heart and identity that make Barham special.
Thank you for being part of our Barham community. We are proud of what we have achieved together and optimistic about the future — continuing to build a school where children feel they belong, achieve highly and step confidently into the next stage of their journey.
Jayshree Thakore
Interim Head of School
Barham Primary School
