Setting

Mr Duncan White Headteacher Holly Primary School Holly Drive Forest Town Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG19 0NT

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Primary School

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on Wednesday 23 November, for the time you gave to our phone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during my visit. Please pass on my thanks to the staff with whom I spoke, for their time and courtesy. I would like particularly to thank the pupils for the most enjoyable time I spent talking with them.

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Primary School

Since the school’s last inspection, there have been no significant contextual changes.

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Primary School

As a result of the inspection on 29 September 2010, the school was asked to address the most important areas for improvement which are set out in the annex to this letter.

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Primary School

Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made good progress in making improvements and good progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement.

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Primary School

Since the previous inspection, progress has continued to accelerate, particularly in Key Stage 2. Effective procedures for monitoring and evaluating progress have been instrumental in ensuring this continued improvement. This year, school assessment information and the unvalidated test results for pupils in Year 6, show that attainment has improved. Standards have risen and are above average in mathematics and significantly above average in English. Similarly, the proportion of pupils who reached the higher Level 5 in mathematics is above average and in English is significantly above average. 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 2888 Good teaching is the result of detailed planning, clear learning intentions, purposeful learning and lively questioning which sustains pupils’ interest. As a result, pupils

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Primary School

follow classroom rules diligently, work responsibly on their own, with a partner or in small groups, and learn well. Pupils say that they think the level of challenge they meet is ‘about right’ and the inspector agrees with this view. Teachers provide appropriate challenge for most pupils because they make careful use of assessment information to match tasks to individual needs. More-able pupils are suitably challenged and enjoy good opportunities to demonstrate their skills of creativity, investigation and independence. The pace of lessons is generally good throughout, and teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge in both literacy and numeracy. In the best lessons, teachers encourage pupils to steer their own learning and evaluate and assess their own and others’ work. These assessments are then used to further promote learning. The marking of books is good throughout the school and promotes a dialogue between pupil and teacher. This ensures that pupils

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Primary School

understand the next steps towards meeting their targets. Pupils’ behaviour is consistently good because of the excellent relationships that have been established at all levels within the school.

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Primary School

The headteacher’s drive and ambition to provide the best possible learning experiences and promote high expectations has been a key factor in ensuring the good improvements made since the last inspection. He is very well supported by his senior team, who, along with the staff, have nurtured a culture of high expectations and challenge. The vision of continuing improvement is now fully embedded in the everyday workings of the school community. Targets for learning are aspirational and challenging. The rigour with which tracking and monitoring of pupil progress is carried out is exemplary. Teaching is also monitored robustly, ensuring high accountability and morale. The good improvement since the last inspection demonstrates that the school has a good capacity for sustained further improvement.

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Primary School

The governing body provides support and challenge to the school in equal measure.

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Primary School

The local authority does not currently provide any direct support to the school.

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Primary School

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your school. This letter will be posted on the Ofsted website.

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place in September 2010

 Ensure that recent improvements in pupils’ progress are consolidated and sustained by:  eliminating the remaining unevenness in the quality of teaching in different year groups  using assessment information to tailor work to the needs of pupils and promote progress in the classroom more consistently.

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place in September 2010

 Provide greater stretch and challenge for high attaining pupils.

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