Setting

Mrs Coral Brinklow Caister Junior School Kingston Avenue Caister-on-Sea Great Yarmouth NR30 5ET

p.1

Junior School

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 12 May 2011, for the time you gave to our telephone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during the inspection. Please give my thanks to the members of the governing body, local authority personnel and parents and carers who found time to speak to me. I would also be grateful if you would give my thanks to the pupils; they made me feel very welcome.

p.1

Junior School

The previous headteacher resigned in the summer of 2009. The governing body advertised unsuccessfully for a headteacher; the current headteacher accepted responsibility for the school as acting headteacher. After giving detailed consideration to local authority reorganisation proposals the governing body rejected a local partnership agreement. However, being mindful of the progress made by the school under the leadership of the acting headteacher, the governing body decided to formalise the leadership of the school. The headteacher's appointment was completed with the support of the local authority and in accordance with the appropriate sections of the School Staffing Regulations 2009 (section15.7); the current headteacher took up her permanent position on 1 January 2011.

p.1

Junior School

As a result of the inspection on 21 October 2009, the school was asked to address the most important areas for improvement which are set out in the annex to this letter. Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made:

p.1

Junior School

 good progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement. Serco Inspections Cedar House 21 William Street Edgbaston Birmingham B15 1LH Ofsted T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Serco Direct T 0121 683 3888 September 2010 Page 2 The results of the 2010 Key Stage 2 national tests were notably better than the previous two years and above the national average. The school has developed effective procedures for assessing pupil progress that correlate well with a scrutiny of the pupils’ work conducted by HMI. Current evidence indicates that pupils in all year groups are making at least satisfactory and often good progress.

p.1

Junior School

The school has worked successfully with its neighbouring infant, primary and secondary schools on the use of assessment data. The use of assessment to inform teaching is effective with appropriate challenge provided in all year groups. As a consequence, increasing numbers of pupils are making good progress. Lesson planning is good, builds appropriate links between topics and nurtures key skills effectively. In an outstanding Year 5 lesson on the United Nations Human Rights Charter, pupils worked well in teams, spoke maturely and accurately and applied these skills effectively in persuasive writing. The marking observed in these pupils’ books contained exceptional dialogue between pupils and adults.

p.2

Junior School

The school’s curriculum makes good use of the local context. This has been enhanced by a wider global perspective since having secured International School Status.

p.2

Junior School

The headteacher has successfully enhanced the school’s capacity to improve. Staff motivation and teamwork are good, standards and achievement are rising, behaviour is good, and attendance is above the average for primary schools. In discussion with a sample of parents and carers all were very positive about the care provided for their children and the manner in which the school is led and managed. There is an appropriate leadership structure, with responsibilities well-matched to capabilities. The budget is well-managed and the local authority licensed deficit, incurred as a result of a fall in pupil numbers, has been cleared.

p.2

Junior School

The local authority has provided effective challenge and support throughout the transition from the previous headteacher to the current situation. The mentoring and support provided by the local authority during the period of the acting headship enabled the school to make considerable progress and provided important professional development opportunities.

p.2

Junior 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.

p.2

place in October 2009

 Raise standards in writing by: - providing more opportunities for pupils to practise and improve their skills through other subjects of the curriculum - ensuring that targets provide pupils with very clear guidance on what they need to do to improve.

p.3

place in October 2009

 Make better use of assessment information to: - ensure that the work provided for pupils is adequately challenging, especially for those who are more able.

p.3

place in October 2009

 Improve pupils' awareness of other communities and cultures by: - providing more opportunities for pupils to find out about, and communicate with, people from cultures and backgrounds other than their own, both within the United Kingdom and globally.

p.3