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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Mrs C Martin Headteacher Rowley Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School Rowley Lane Lepton Huddersfield HD8 0JD

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bullying practice in schools

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 10 November 2011 as part of our survey of schools’ work to create a positive school culture and prevent and tackle bullying.

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bullying practice 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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bullying practice in schools

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

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

 You and the senior leaders have a clear vision of how they expect all members of the school to treat each other. Everyone knows the rule, ‘treat others as you would wish to be treated’. Adults and pupils consistently live up to this expectation. Pupils are routinely courteous and friendly and adults are consistent role models.  Pupils know what bullying is and how damaging it can be to others. They are confident about their responsibilities in dealing with any inappropriate behaviour, including bullying. They are independent and resilient in resolving minor conflicts but they also have complete faith that adults will help them if they need it.  The school’s consistent approach to using talking strategies and restorative practices has supported pupils in developing strong and trusting relationships. They can appreciate the views of others and value each other’s differences. Teachers give their time unstintingly to help

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

pupils resolve difficulties.  Senior leaders and other adults are responsive to pupils’ needs and they have worked hard to provide interesting and engaging activities at playtimes and lunchtimes. Activities are well-supervised and pupils feel safe and happy.  Pupils have plenty of opportunities to develop their leadership skills as play leaders. Older pupils take their roles as ‘befrienders’ very seriously and the effective training they have gives them confidence in helping younger pupils.  Pupils are supported in maintaining positive behaviour and attitudes through the ‘It’s Good to be Green’ programme which provides them with clear rewards and boundaries. They enjoy gaining green cards and work hard to redeem themselves on the few occasions when yellow or red cards are issued.  Pupils whose circumstances make them vulnerable are supported effectively. The school does detailed work with external agencies to ensure

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Strengths of this aspect of the school’s work

that these pupils receive tailored support.  Leaders deal swiftly and effectively with any incidents of inappropriate behaviour, including bullying. Their subsequent monitoring of pupils is also effective. However, the analysis of emerging patterns of types of behaviour for particular groups of pupils is at an early stage and is currently underdeveloped.  The curriculum is carefully planned and it is successful in supporting pupils’ strong social, moral and cultural development. Many aspects of school life enhance this, including assemblies and a variety of visits. The quality of this work is not always evaluated systematically.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 monitoring more systematically the delivery and effectiveness of personal, social, health, citizenship, and economic education  improving the recording and analysis of incidents of inappropriate behaviour, including bullying, to enable leaders to identify emerging patterns for particular groups of pupils or types of behaviour.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope that this visit has been useful in the further development of this aspect of the school’s work.

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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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