Setting

Mr Humphreys and Mrs Rivett Executive Headteacher and Head of School St Clare's Catholic Primary School Robert Road Handsworth Birmingham B20 3RT

p.1

Education act 2005 to St Clare's Catholic Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 30 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.

p.1

Education act 2005 to St Clare's Catholic Primary School

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.

p.1

Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with the executive headteacher, head of school and other senior and middle leaders. The inspector met with four members of the governing body and a local authority adviser. The school’s development plan, post- Ofsted action plans and reviews of monitoring activities were scrutinised.

p.1

Context

The executive headteacher and head of school continue to lead the school and have oversight of the school’s improvement for the rest of this academic year. Shortly before the school’s inspection in September the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service arranged for both senior leaders to be seconded from St Francis Catholic Primary School on a temporary basis to support and lead school improvement at St Clare’s. The governing body is working with the diocese and local authority to secure more permanent senior leadership for St Clare’s. Serco Inspections Cedar House 21 William Street Edgbaston Birmingham B15 1LH T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0121 683 3261 Direct email :ann.morris@serco.com

p.1

Main findings

The executive headteacher and head of school have put in place effective action plans that provide a secure platform for improvement. They have provided greater clarity about the management responsibilities of senior and middle leaders (phase leaders). The school’s development plans are well-devised following accurate evaluations of the school’s effectiveness but do not set out who is monitoring or evaluating each action for improvement. The school’s plans provide a clear route map to becoming a good school but do not prioritise which actions need the most attention. Assessments of pupils’ progress are checked each term although leaders need to increase the frequency of reviews to ensure that all pupils reach their targets. Governors and leaders are stepping up their involvement in school reviews and lesson visits and require further training to increase their knowledge of assessment and target setting. Training also needs to focus on improving the

p.2

Main findings

guidance and support provided for staff to increase the amount of good teaching.

p.2

Main findings

Senior leaders and governors 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:

p.2

Main findings

 set out who is monitoring or evaluating each priority for improvement and step up the frequency of pupil progress reviews  set out the most important priorities in the school’s development plans that focus on raising achievement and improving teaching  provide training for phase leaders and governors to improve their understanding of assessment and how best to monitor teaching  secure permanent leadership for the school.

p.2

External support

There is a good working relationship between the school’s leaders and the local authority adviser. The adviser is helping to provide clarity and direction that focuses on improving teaching further. He is prepared to broker further support and training for school leaders and governors through the National College of School Leadership

p.2

External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body, the Director of Children’s Services for Birmingham Local Authority and the Director of Birmingham Diocesan Education Service.

p.2