Setting

Mr Nicholas Sykes Headteacher Chapel Allerton Primary School Harrogate Road Leeds LS7 3PD

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Allerton Primary School

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 21 October 2010, for the time you gave to our phone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during the inspection. Please pass on my thanks to the Chair of the Governing Body and School Improvement Partner who gave their time to talk to me during my visit.

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Allerton Primary School

As a result of the inspection on 21 and 22 October 2008, the school was asked to address the most important areas for improvement which are set out in the annex to this letter.

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Allerton Primary School

Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made satisfactory progress in making improvements and satisfactory progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement.

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Allerton Primary School

Unvalidated data show that standards in English and mathematics are broadly average, as was the case during the 2008 inspection. School records and lesson observations show that pupils’ progress has improved since the inspection and there are no longer significant periods when pupils are standing still in their learning. This improved progress has not yet had time to overcome past underachievement and raise standards. More able pupils are making better progress although the school is still working hard to stretch them further. Progress in writing is improving and catching up with the much better progress in reading and mathematics. Pupils enjoy school and their attendance is in line with the national average. Their conscientious approach and settled behaviour makes a significant contribution to their improving achievement.

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Allerton Primary School

Pupils’ progress is improving because there is a much greater consistency of effective teaching than was the case during the 2008 inspection. Children make a Suite 22 West Lancashire Investment Centre Maple View White Moss Business Park Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566934 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email :gtunnicliffe@cfbt.com September 2010 Page 2 strong start in the Early Years Foundation Stage because of the very well planned provision for learning independently and developing language skills. Assessment is used very effectively to match learning activities to children’s needs and interests. In Key Stages 1 and 2, the momentum is maintained with stimulating lessons that provide opportunities for pupils to learn from challenging, practical problem-solving activities. Lessons are well planned to meet the needs of all groups of pupils.

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Allerton Primary School

Teachers are quickly developing their skills in assessing pupils’ progress during lessons and changing the levels of support and challenge accordingly. In a minority of lessons, the pace of learning slows slightly because teaching is not sufficiently focused on a single clear objective and some methods for assessing progress yield little useful information. Pupils work very well independently and when collaborating in groups. They use discussion with partners effectively to work out the answers to teachers’ questions.

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Allerton Primary School

The curriculum has recently been re-designed taking into account the ethnically diverse community, and some of the lessons observed made a significant contribution to community cohesion. In these lessons, pupils demonstrated a growing understanding of issues related to racism and a desire to explore them further.

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Allerton Primary School

Since the last inspection the capacity to sustain improvement has increased. The senior leadership team of headteacher, deputy and assistant headteacher has been extended to include a team of five teachers. This wider team is giving strong direction and guidance for the improvements in teaching. Their impact is seen in how committed all staff are to the new ways of working. The school’s strategic plan and monitoring schedule provide a clear framework for introducing improvements and checking that they are accelerating pupils’ progress. Systems for using data to analyse pupils’ progress in each class however, are not yet fully developed. The governing body makes a very strong contribution to planning and reviewing improvements by continually applying the Chair’s criterion; ‘Does this make the car go faster?’

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Allerton Primary School

The local authority provided effective support when it was most needed and, in negotiation with the governing body, correctly gauged the time to withdraw, having assessed that school leaders had developed sufficient capacity to manage their own improvement plan. At the time of this monitoring inspection procedures for safeguarding pupils were found to meet requirements.

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Allerton Primary School

I hope that you have found the inspection helpful in promoting improvement in your school. This letter will be posted on the Ofsted website.

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place in October 2008

 Improve the attainment and progress of the most able pupils, particularly at Key Stage 1, and in writing across the school.  Improve the quality of teaching so that more is consistently good or better.  Ensure that all subject leaders are more effective in monitoring and influencing practice to raise standards across the school.

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