Setting

Carole Crabtree Headteacher Wigmore Primary School Twyford Drive Wigmore Hall Estate Luton LU2 9TB

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Education act 2005 to Wigmore Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 12 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 Wigmore Primary 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, meetings were held with the headteacher, other leaders, the Governing Body and a representative of the local authority. The school action plans were evaluated and the inspector conducted a learning walk around the school with the headteacher.

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Context

The school has appointed a new numeracy leader. This is an internal appointment and this leader is currently working alongside the outgoing numeracy leader who is leaving the school in January. 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 3289 Direct email :elizabeth.rashvand@serco.com

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Main findings

The school has altered its school improvement plan to reflect the areas identified in the last inspection. The school and local authority have set ambitious milestones to measure the progress made against these priorities over the next twelve months. The plan for improving numeracy is being written by the new numeracy leader. He has a coherent vision for mathematics in the school. He is completing a nationally recognised course for mathematics specialists in primary schools. This is increasing his professional knowledge and giving him access to a range of experts in mathematics who he is working with to develop his understanding of what happens at successful schools. The new numeracy leader has developed contacts in outstanding schools and plans to visit these. The new numeracy leader is knowledgeable about mathematics teaching and enthusiastic. However he is an inexperienced leader and it is important that he has the opportunity to work

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Main findings

alongside others so he can develop school improvement strategies.

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Main findings

Senior leaders are monitoring the quality of teaching throughout the school. Comprehensive feedback is given to teachers with a focus on strengths and areas for development. Areas for development are presented as ‘things to do’ rather than ‘weaknesses to be overcome’. These action points do not instil a sense of urgency needed to rapidly overcome weaknesses. It is important that feedback is unambiguous in identifying weaknesses so teachers are in no doubt about the importance of improvement.

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Main findings

Governors are reviewing their systems, roles and responsibilities. They have an action plan showing how they intend to improve their effectiveness over the next 12 months. This action plan shows that an external review of governance would be useful to them in identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

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Main findings

Senior leaders and governors have begun to take 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

 arrange an external review of governance  ensure the numeracy leader secures an effective two year plan for numeracy and develops the leadership strategies to deliver the improvements needed in mathematics  develop systems for feeding back clear messages to teachers following feedback.

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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 light touch support recently following a period of intense intervention a few years ago. As a result of the last inspection, the local authority has arranged consultant support to help address the issues identified. They have secured the services of a National Leader in Governance to work alongside the governing body. The local authority has set ambitious milestones which they will use to monitor the improvements being made. I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Director of Children’s Services for Luton.

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