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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Ms S Bourn Headteacher South Hill Primary School Heath Lane Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP1 1TT

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education (PE)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 14 June 2012 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 staff and pupils; scrutiny of subject documentation and observation of three lessons, including one taught at the local secondary school.

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education (PE)

The overall effectiveness of PE is good.

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Achievement in PE

 Achievement overall is good but uneven. Pupils make better progress as they move through the school, with the best progress being made in Key Stage 2. From broadly average starting points, pupils reach above average standards in PE. Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs make good progress in line with their peers because of the bespoke adaptations, additional support and innovative alternatives that are provided to ensure that all can participate safely and effectively.  Pupils enjoy PE a great deal and talk with enthusiasm about the range of activities on offer. Opportunities to develop leadership, through initiatives such as play buddies and sports leaders, mean that PE has a very positive impact on pupils’ good behaviour and social development.

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Quality of teaching in PE

 The teaching observed ranged from satisfactory to outstanding. The best teaching is found in Key Stage 2 where excellent subject knowledge, precise use of assessment data to match work to individual pupil’s needs and teachers’ high expectations of quality all lead to pupils working hard to improve their own performance.  Where teaching is satisfactory rather than good, pupils spend less time being active and opportunities to improve their work are less well- established. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, not enough use is made of the extensive grounds, so children do not get the opportunity to learn through energetic play as often as they could.

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Quality of the curriculum in PE

The quality of the curriculum in PE is good.

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Quality of the curriculum in PE

 The curriculum is comprehensive, with all areas of the National Curriculum suitably covered. Progression is planned effectively and the school uses an established monitoring system to inform future planning, especially in Key Stage 2.  Extra-curricular activities are plentiful, varied and enjoyed by pupils. Most pupils take part in extra-curricular activities. Playtimes are very active, with play buddies encouraging younger pupils to enjoy being physically active. Year 5 play leaders further add to the curriculum by, for example, organising and running sports days for younger pupils.  Partnerships with local schools are used effectively to enhance the curriculum. One lesson during this inspection was taught at the local secondary school, enabling Year 6 pupils to benefit from smaller group teaching and the school’s athletics facilities.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PE

The effectiveness of leadership and management in PE is good.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PE

 Leaders are knowledgeable about initiatives in PE and school sport. Their passion means that others share their common purpose in developing the curriculum and resources. Their self-evaluation is accurate and their development plans appropriate.  Leaders are aware of the legacy and impact of the school sports partnership and have maintained effectively many of the links that existed through this.  Assessment is used exceptionally well to support leaders in understanding how effective teaching is in promoting development across the four areas of the PE National Curriculum.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 improving the consistency of teaching so that it is all at least good throughout the school  making more use of the outdoor area so Early Years Foundation Stage children can learn more readily through rigorous play.

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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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