Setting

Mr Gordon Cunningham Headteacher Easthampstead Park Community School Ringmead Bracknell Berkshire RG12 8F

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Education act 2005 to Easthampstead Park Community School, Berkshire

Following my visit to your school on 19 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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Education act 2005 to Easthampstead Park Community School, Berkshire

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 I held meetings with the headteacher, other senior leaders, the Governing Body, a group of student and a representative of the local authority. The school improvement plan and the strategies being used to develop teaching were considered. I accompanied the headteacher designate on a tour of the school to look at the learning environment and discuss the school’s strengths and improvement priorities.

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Context

The deputy headteacher has been appointed headteacher of the school from January 2013. Further restructuring within the senior leadership team is also planned to start at the same time. 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 5307 Direct F 0117 315 0430 Direct email : emma.thomson@ tribalgroup.com

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Main findings

The headteacher and headteacher designate are working closely together to bring about a smooth transition in the leadership of the school. Plans to restructure the school leadership team are appropriately focused on making further improvements to the quality of teaching. Work is proving to be effective in setting clear and high expectations of staff and students.

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Main findings

The school has systems in place to track students’ progress effectively. This information is now more accessible and leaders understand the need for it to be used effectively across all departments to promote better learning.

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Main findings

The school’s development plan focuses directly on improving teaching but does not include details of how different groups of teachers will be supported to improve their practice. Members of the governing body are aware of the need to support and challenge leaders further particularly the work in improving the quality of teaching. They have already had some training in how they can develop this aspect of their role. Leaders and governors have a very clear understanding that a brisk pace of change is still needed to move the school forward. Actions taken so far show an appropriate sense of urgency.

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Main findings

Senior leaders and governors are taking 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

 make sure that school leaders at all levels are taking effective steps to drive improvements in teaching and learning, are clear about how they can contribute to improving teaching, and how they know their leadership is making a difference.  make sure support for teachers meets their individual needs, particularly teachers whose impact is already good to make this outstanding.

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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

The local authority has provided effective help for the school particularly in supporting improvements to those in leadership positions. This has helped leaders to focus their actions more effectively where improvements are required the most.

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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 Bracknell Forest. Yours sincerely

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