Setting

Gillian Hutton Headteacher Pottery Primary School Kilbourne Road Belper DE56 1HA

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Education act 2005 to Pottery Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 10 December 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 Pottery 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.

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Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with the headteacher and other senior leaders, representatives of the governing body, the senior link adviser from the local authority and a group of pupils. The school improvement plans were evaluated.

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Context

There have been no significant contextual changes since the recent inspection which judged the school to require improvement.

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Main findings

Senior leaders are addressing with urgency the areas identified for improvement at the recent section 5 inspection. The school improvement plan includes appropriate actions which are sharply focused on improving teaching and learning and raising 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 attainment. For example, all Key Stage 2 teachers have already visited another local school to observe good practice with a particular focus on active and independent learning, pace, and challenge for all groups of pupils. As a result, pupils report that lessons are more interesting and challenging and their work is better matched to their needs.

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Main findings

The Governing Body has also made a positive response to the recommendations in the previous inspection. They have fully addressed the issues regarding storage of equipment in corridors and classrooms and there are no remaining risks associated with this. Governors are clear about developing their monitoring role in order to check that the school’s actions are making a difference to pupils’ learning and the quality of teaching. However, senior leaders and governors understand that this role needs to be more clearly specified in the school improvement plan.

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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 recommends a further one day visit to carry out a series of joint lesson observations with senior leaders to support the school in improving the quality of teaching and learning.

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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’s considerable support is a key factor in the rapid progress the school is making. The senior adviser has an accurate and in-depth knowledge of the school and, as a result, has devised a clear, judicious and focused plan of support. In particular, the senior adviser is coordinating a range of helpful and timely support for teachers. This includes opportunities for all teachers to visit good schools to observe and share good practice. A local authority consultant is also working effectively with teachers and support staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Good support is being provided for governors, with appropriate training planned for January 2013.

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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 Derbyshire and as below.

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