Setting

Ofsted 2010–11 survey inspection programme: nurture groups

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 2 February 2011, with my colleague Linda Rockey HMI, as part of our survey of the use of nurture groups for pupils who are vulnerable to underachieving.

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Ofsted 2010–11 survey inspection programme: nurture groups

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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Ofsted 2010–11 survey inspection programme: nurture groups

This letter briefly summarises our discussion at the end of the visit.

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Strengths of the nurture group provision

 The support is strong from parents and/or carers of pupils who are currently in the nurture group and for some parents of pupils who have left the school.  There is good identification of those pupils who require additional support in the group.  Pupils’ induction into the group and re-integration when they are ready to return to their class are good.  The school provides good support for pupils about whom it has identified concerns but who are not admitted to the group.  Assessment is used well to identify how well pupils are progressing in their social and emotional skills, as well as in their reading, writing and mathematics.  Planning linked to whole-school topics is good and adapted well when specific issues arise relating to the pupils in the group.  Parents and/or carers are given good feedback on how well pupils are developing. Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855

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Strengths of the nurture group provision

enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Strengths of the nurture group provision

Ms J Millard Headteacher Westlands First School Farmers Way Westlands Worcestershire WR9 9EQ

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 giving pupils more ownership of their attendance and punctuality by sharing relevant information with them weekly  providing greater opportunities for parents and/or carers of pupils presently or previously in the nurture group to meet and discuss how to support their children better.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop this aspect of the school’s work.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on the Ofsted website. It may be used to inform decisions about any future inspection. A copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority.

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