Setting

Ofsted good practice survey: value for money in schools

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 8 February 2011 to look at work in achieving good value for money.

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Ofsted good practice survey: value for money in schools

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 good practice survey: value for money in schools

The evidence used to inform the judgements included: discussions with staff, governors and the school improvement partner; observation of the school at work; and scrutiny of documentation.

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Features of good practice

 Under your very clear and highly respected leadership, the school is absolutely sure of its philosophy and sense of purpose.  This means that all decisions are taken efficiently within clear parameters. Staff work as a supportive, well-functioning team. Their ideas are used and they go the ‘extra mile’ to ensure a high-quality, enjoyable education day after day for each pupil.  The decision to spend higher than average sums of money on employing teaching assistants and consequently less on teachers works very well in the context of your school. It ensures that high levels of attention are given to each pupil by skilled, well-trained practitioners, leading to high rates of learning and progress. Teaching assistants are deployed very carefully every day and in each lesson by teachers to enable pupils to achieve specific and appropriate objectives. Aviation House 126 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231

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Features of good practice

F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Features of good practice

Ms G Gillison Headteacher Pinfold Primary School Scarisbrick Ormskirk L40 8HR  A large number of community volunteers, working as full members of the adult team, contribute significant expertise directly to improve the pupils’ experiences and learning in and outside of school hours. The high value given to the work of volunteers is a key reason for its success.  Careful decisions about staff and volunteer recruitment and deployment mean that all adults’ skills and specialisms are used to the full, all key aspects of school life are well led, and adults’ own development needs are provided for very well.  Pupils love being in school. They really appreciate how much effort goes into making their learning, and the very rich curriculum, so enjoyable. They enjoy having a go at everything on offer.

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Area for development

 The approaches taken by the school to strategic planning, self-evaluation and staff deployment work very well in the school’s context; there are therefore no significant development areas in terms of achieving better value for money.

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Area for development

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop the school.

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Area for development

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 is also being sent to your local authority.

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