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 M Goodwin Headteacher Warren Farm Primary School Aylesbury Crescent Birmingham B44 0DT Dear Mrs Goodwin

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social and health education (PSHE)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 9 July 2012 to look at work in PSHE.

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social and health education (PSHE)

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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social and health education (PSHE)

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

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social and health education (PSHE)

The overall effectiveness of PSHE is outstanding.

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Achievement in PSHE

 Pupils’ personal and social development is outstanding. They make exceptional progress in their personal and social skills as they move through the school. Older pupils are proud of the school’s aim, ‘together everyone achieves more’ (TEAM). They make an excellent contribution to the work of the school by acting as family group leaders where they look after younger children and acting as peer mediators and playground pals. Pupils are able to readily express their ideas and feelings and they respect the views of others.  Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to stay healthy. They know the importance of a balanced diet and the need to exercise. Pupils have learnt how to be safe in their own homes and when going out. They can take steps to be safe when online.  Pupils are well informed about the dangers and effects of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They understand the importance of personal hygiene and

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Achievement in PSHE

storing medicines safely.  Pupils have a detailed understanding of bullying and can identify different types and the consequences of bullying. They have explored ways to resist peer-pressure. They are well prepared for the changes that occur during puberty.  Pupils have many opportunities to develop knowledge of how to manage money and understand budgets. They make and sell products and raise money for charities.

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Quality of teaching in PSHE

The quality of teaching in PSHE is outstanding.

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Quality of teaching in PSHE

 Teachers demonstrate excellent subject knowledge and confidence and display high levels of enthusiasm. Lessons are well structured so pupils’ needs are met and they know what they are learning. A wide range of high-quality resources and activities is used well to engage and motivate pupils and make learning purposeful. Pupils are able to work very well in groups and pairs, leading to independent learning.  Excellent relationships are established in lessons so all pupils enjoy learning. Teachers are skilful in managing discussions and asking probing questions. Circle-time is very effective because pupils understand the basic rules and listen carefully to others. Teachers deal expertly with sensitive issues such as feelings and emotions so this creates a safe environment in which all can contribute.  A good range of assessment activities is planned into lessons and pupils’ progress is assessed in lessons and over time.

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Quality of the curriculum in PSHE

The quality of the curriculum in PSHE is outstanding.

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Quality of the curriculum in PSHE

 The PSHE curriculum provides pupils with an abundance of enriching opportunities. The curriculum is imaginative and includes an international dimension. It is well balanced between discrete lessons, cross-curricular themes, assemblies and themed days. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in residential visits, philosophy and the forest school.  PSHE is well-mapped across the school to ensure that key elements are covered and revisited at appropriate times. Schemes of work build on pupils’ previous learning so they develop a more detailed understanding of topic areas.  Excellent use is made of a range of external speakers and specialists such as theatre groups, health professionals and local community groups.  Well-targeted support meets the needs of pupils whose circumstances make them potentially vulnerable. This support includes a nurture group, a girls’ group and mentoring.  The broad curriculum makes a very effective contribution to pupils’

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Quality of the curriculum in PSHE

spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The strong sense of unity and shared values ensure a supportive learning environment for all.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE

The effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE is outstanding.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE

 PSHE is embedded throughout the school, which is a vibrant community where pupils thrive.  Leadership is innovative and well-informed about best practice. High levels of commitment from staff and pupils are evident. Leaders have a clear vision of how the subject can make a valuable contribution to pupils’ learning and to their personal and social development. This has been translated into the aims of TEAM which are well understood by all.  Leaders have ensured that all statutory requirements are met and strategies to promote inclusion and tackle discrimination are fully in place. Pupils comment that any bullying is tackled wholeheartedly by staff and they feel very safe.  The engagement with external agencies, community groups and parents and carers is impressive. The school’s response to local issues and the curriculum is regularly reviewed and adapted. For example, a stronger focus on health issues and new teaching materials for drug education are

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE

now in place. However, the drug education policy has not been updated.  Monitoring and evaluation are very effective, leading to an improvement in pupils’ outcomes. Self-evaluation is rigorous and accurate and supported by pupil surveys, monitoring of pupils’ work and lesson observations. The school has an accurate understanding of the subject’s strengths and areas for improvement and has an outstanding capacity to improve further.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 updating the drug education policy in line with the new set of teaching materials.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop PSHE 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.

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