Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Mr C Hodges Headteacher Coombe Hill School Coombe Lane West Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT2 7DD

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education (PE)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of the staff and pupils, during my visit on 5 October 2011 to look at work in PE.

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education (PE)

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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education (PE)

The evidence used to inform the judgements included: interviews with governors, staff and pupils; scrutiny of relevant documentation; analysis of pupils’ work; and observation of four lessons and other activities.

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education (PE)

The overall effectiveness of PE is outstanding.

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Achievement in PE

 All pupils make good progress in PE and some make outstanding progress. From broadly average attainment in Year 3, a majority of pupils reach above average attainment by the time they leave in Year 6. Outcomes in swimming and games are particularly strong, with all Year 6 pupils gaining the National Curriculum swimming award in the last three years. Pupils’ achievement is boosted by their involvement in an excellent programme of intra- and inter-school sports competitions.  Pupils’ participation in physical activities is making a strong contribution towards their all-round personal development. Pupils say they enjoy PE and sport. They join in enthusiastically in lessons and in a variety of playground games. They demonstrate good levels of physical fitness and show imagination and creativity in their work. Teamwork is particularly strong and pupils cooperate very well in group activities in lessons. Many

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Achievement in PE

pupils take part in sport outside of school with some elite performers representing local and regional clubs.

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Quality of teaching in PE

 Good and outstanding teaching was observed. Teachers plan lessons that are clearly focused on pupils acquiring, developing and applying a range of physical skills. Information and communication technology is used effectively to introduce pupils to new techniques and to record their performances. Teaching assistants work successfully alongside teachers, sharing the teaching, supporting individuals and guiding groups. Where the teaching is outstanding, strong subject knowledge and precise demonstrations help pupils to make rapid progress.  Teachers assess pupils’ learning during lessons by asking focused questions and observing individual and group performances. They provide good feedback on how pupils might improve their work. In the most effective lessons, pupils are asked periodically to evaluate their own and others’ responses and suggest how improvements can be made. Although teachers record end of year attainment levels for all pupils, leaders are

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Quality of teaching in PE

rightly looking for ways to increase the frequency of assessments and assure their accuracy.

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Quality of the curriculum in PE

The quality of the curriculum in PE is outstanding.

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Quality of the curriculum in PE

 A well-organised, rich and stimulating subject curriculum covers all six areas of learning. All pupils participate in two hours of timetabled PE each week, as well as taking part in an additional hour of physical activities outside of lesson time. Well-managed additional learning programmes are provided for pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities and focused workshops are organised for gifted and talented pupils to ensure that everyone makes good progress and achieves well. An excellent electronic scheme of work developed by the subject leader supports teachers’ lesson planning and ensures continuity in learning.  All pupils take part in an excellent programme of intra-school sports competitions throughout the year. Strong links with the local sports cluster have been used well to involve pupils in many inter-school sports competitions. A wide range of after-school sports clubs led by staff and

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Quality of the curriculum in PE

sports coaches extends pupils’ enjoyment and engagement. Good improvements have been made in the last two years in provision for dance and outdoor and adventurous activities. Outdoor learning has become a key feature of the curriculum, with thematic topics planned to link learning across subjects, including PE.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PE

The effectiveness of leadership and management in PE is outstanding.  Leadership is inspirational, dedicated and informed by a high level of subject expertise. There is a strong track record in introducing new approaches and ideas, and subject improvement priorities are clearly set out in an annual plan of action. PE, dance and sport receive a very high profile in displays, assemblies and the life of the school. Staff have benefited significantly from targeted professional development and an exceptionally well-organised approach to curriculum planning and resourcing.  Subject monitoring and evaluation are rigorous and systematic, and include lesson observations, auditing the views of staff and pupils, and analysing pupils’ participation in extra-curricular activities and competitions. Improvements in provision and pupils’ many achievements are reported regularly to members of the governing body, who take a

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PE

keen interest in the subject. Accommodation is good and has been developed well to provide pupils with a number of different outdoor learning and play facilities.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 continuing to develop effective systems for assessing and recording pupils’ attainment in PE at key points throughout the year, and for assuring their accuracy.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

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

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

As 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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