Setting

Headteacher Parayhouse School New Kings School Annex New Kings Road London SW6 4LY

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Education act 2005 to Parayhouse School

Following my visit to your school on 6 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 Parayhouse School

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

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Evidence

During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher, other senior leaders, an external adviser, a parent governor and the Chair of the Governing Body who is also a trustee. The school improvement plan was evaluated. Two pupils took HMI on a tour of the school which enabled him to see some of the changes that have been made since the last inspection.

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Context

Since the inspection, the school has taken steps to enlarge the membership of the governing body. The teaching of mathematics has been reorganised to enable students to learn alongside others of similar ability. 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 0430 Direct email : jo-anne.harwood@ tribalgroup.com

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Main findings

The school improvement plan has been updated to focus on the areas for improvement identified in the recent inspection. Clear targets have been set with a suitable timescale for action. The plan lacks detail on how some of the actions will be monitored and on the resources needed to support them.

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Main findings

The headteacher and senior leaders have had a clear focus on improving teaching and learning. They are currently reviewing and sharing the features of best teaching to make them more consistent across the school. Targets have been set for raising the quality of teaching to be good or better in all subjects. A system of coaching and mentoring has been put in place to help improve the quality of teaching that is not yet good enough. The performance management of teachers has been linked to the proportion of students reaching, or exceeding, their targets.

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Main findings

The headteacher and one of the senior leaders have enrolled on a suitable course which draws on the experience of leaders from outstanding special schools. The governing body has a clearer role in checking the school’s work and new members are currently being recruited. It has increased its knowledge and understanding of the school’s performance, but it is not yet in a position to monitor and evaluate the work of the school closely.

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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

 improve the ability of governors and senior leaders to monitor the school’s work, by adding further detail in the school improvement plan on how the impact of actions will be monitored and what resources will be needed to support them  strengthen governance by undertaking an external review of the governing body to identify what further support and training governors need.

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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

An external adviser has provided effective support to the school, especially to improve aspects of teaching and learning and the development of students’ independence. A link has been established with another school in a neighbouring local authority to share good practice in teaching. The governing body has benefited from training in the past. However, given the recent changes in membership, it would benefit from up-to-date training to help strengthen its role in holding the school to account. I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Chair of the Board of Trustees as below.

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