Setting

Ms Sharon McDermott Headteacher Caldecott Foundation School Station Road Smeeth Ashford Kent TN25 6PW

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Education act 2005 to Caldecott Foundation School

Following my visit to your school on Tuesday 18 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 Caldecott Foundation 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 you and with two trustees. I visited several classes to observe the school at work. The school improvement plan was evaluated and we discussed the actions that have been taken since the inspection. I also looked at documentary evidence of the impact of the actions you have taken since the inspection.

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Context

The school is led by the Foundation’s Director of Operations. The head of education and two senior teachers are leaving the school at the end of this term. A head of school has been appointed and other senior appointments have been made or are planned for. It is intended that a new senior leadership team will be established and responsible for the school from Easter 2013. 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

External consultants have been commissioned to undertake a programme of lesson observations to establish a clear baseline from which future progress in improving teaching can be measured. Performance management is being developed to ensure all teachers are challenged and supported so teaching improves rapidly. New arrangements for tracking pupils’ progress have been introduced and staff trained to implement the new systems and procedures. The school’s improvement plan identifies clearly how each of the areas for improvement will be improved. The plan shows who will lead the various initiatives and it has appropriate success criteria so that the impact of the actions can be measured. However, the plan does not make clear who will monitor the various actions or how those responsible for the school will review and check that the actions are making a difference to improving the quality of teaching and pupils’

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Main findings

Senior leaders and trustees 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

 revise the school’s improvement plan so that it is clear how and when the various actions described in the plan will be monitored and evaluated  ensure a smooth transition from the current interim arrangements for leadership and management to the new leadership team.

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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 trustees are recruiting new staff to lead and manage the school. School performance is regularly reviewed and external consultants have been commissioned to assist leaders and managers in evaluating its performance and to support the development of teaching and learning. Links with other local schools are being developed to draw on their expertise. Teachers are to be given the opportunity to visit other schools to observe good practice.

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External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of Trustees of the Caldecott Foundation.

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