Setting

Ms C Howard Upton St Leonards Church of England Primary School Bondend Road Gloucester Gloucestershire GL4 8ED

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School, Gloucestershire

Following my visit to your school on 12 November 2012, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report on the findings of my visit. Thank you for the help you gave me and for the time you made available to discuss the actions you are taking to improve the school since the most recent section 5 inspection.

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School, Gloucestershire

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in September 2012. It was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with the senior leadership team, comprising of the headteacher and her two deputy headteachers, five members of the Governing Body and two representatives of the local authority. The school’s plan to raise attainment was evaluated.

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Context

Since the inspection one part-time member of the teaching staff has returned from maternity leave.

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Main findings

Senior leaders have made a positive start to improving some aspects of the school’s work. They have set out clear expectations for teachers which include making the Tribal 1-4 Portland Square Bristol BS2 8RR T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0117 311 5373 Direct F 0117 315 4030 Direct email : jo-anne.harwood@ tribalgroup.com classroom interesting and making sure that pupils are absorbed in their learning. By introducing a marking system to be used throughout the school, senior leaders are trying to make sure that teachers provide individual support. Time is allocated for pupils to consider the comments made on their work and respond to them accordingly. Senior leaders explain that they now expect teachers and pupils to present their work more neatly. Systems have been put in place to make sure that when pupils take tests teachers use the information from marking these to plan work

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Main findings

and have a common understanding of what they should expect from each year group. Groups of pupils who may have fallen behind have been identified and are now having extra help. For example, girls who struggle with mathematics have extra sessions to help them gain more confidence. In order to make sure that teaching is good by the start of January 2013, a plan for managing teachers’ performance has been put in place. Senior leaders have been slower in tackling the improvements required in their relationships with parents and carers. Although a new website goes live shortly and a meeting has been held with parents and carers and governors, senior leaders are not proactive enough in involving them in school life. The headteacher would benefit from external guidance and support in dealing with such matters..

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Main findings

Senior leaders, governors and the local authority have begun to take effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified at the recent section 5 inspection. Following the visit to the school, HMI recommend that further action is taken to:

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Main findings

 start to rigorously check and gather evidence of improvement for the aspects of teaching which have been identified as a priority  ask the parents and carers to tell the school how they can contribute to the school  support the headteacher in involving parents and carers in school life by providing her with a mentor who has a successful track record in such matters.

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Main findings

Ofsted will continue to monitor the school until its next section 5 inspection.

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External support

Senior leaders do not consider that they received the most helpful support from the local authority prior to the inspection. Since the inspection and the allocation of two new officers to the school, the local authority has gained a clear picture of the areas which require improvement. The school is now receiving well-measured and balanced support. Training to help teachers develop their ability to teach mathematics, plan work which meets the needs of individual pupils and set targets to speed up progress has been well-received by the school. The local authority is encouraging a more positive engagement with parents and carers by organising a mathematics workshop for families. A partner school is providing support for teachers and visits to other schools within the local authority have been considered useful. Following this visit, the local authority will be brokering a formal mentoring role from a headteacher of an outstanding school.

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External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Director of Children’s Services for Gloucestershire and as below.

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

The letter should be copied to the following:

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

 Appropriate authority - Chair of the Governing Body/Interim Executive Board  Local authority  the academy chain where relevant  Diocese – for voluntary aided and voluntary controlled schools  The Education Funding Agency (EFA) if the school has a sixth form  The person or body responsible for appointing foundation governors if the school has a foundation  The lead inspector.

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