Setting

CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancs Investment Centre Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 1231231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566933 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email: ggleaden@cfbt.com

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Miss Karen Taylor Headteacher Coupe Green Primary School Coupe Green Hoghton Preston Lancashire PR5 0JR

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Education act 2005 to Coupe Green Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 19 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 Coupe Green 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, the senior teacher, an associate headteacher who is supporting the school from January onwards, members of the governing body, a representative of the local authority and a group of pupils. Her Majesty's Inspector (HMI) also went on a brief tour of the school and met all staff. The school improvement plan was evaluated.

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Context

There have been no significant changes to staffing or the school’s organisation since the inspection in October. The headteacher is leaving the school at the end of this term and interim leadership arrangements have been secured until the governing body appoint a substantive headteacher.

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Main findings

The local authority adviser has worked with senior leaders and governors to produce an action plan that addresses all the areas identified as requiring improvement at the recent inspection. The plan includes appropriate, timely actions and specific, measurable milestones and success criteria. It includes a useful section for governors to add their evaluation of the impact that the plan is having on raising pupils’ achievement. However, the plan lacks details of how and when governors will gather evidence to verify the headteachers’ reports. There are a number of different development plans currently being implemented, which are not yet integrated into one plan.

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Main findings

Since the inspection, the main focus has been on the improvement of writing. Staff have worked effectively together to moderate teacher assessments and produce a portfolio of levelled writing. The marking policy has been reviewed and pupils say teachers’ comments and verbal advice are helping them improve their written work. Grammar and punctuation skills are being given appropriate emphasis to ensure skills are embedded at each stage.

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Main findings

Governance has been strengthened with the establishment of the Standards and Effectiveness Committee to evaluate progress with improvement planning. Subject leaders’ roles in monitoring have been reviewed and updated. There is also scope to give staff across the school, more of a role in leading developments in teaching and assessment and sharing best practice. Staff development has an appropriate focus in the action plan, providing opportunities for joint work with teachers in a partner school.

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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 recommends that further action is taken to:

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Main findings

 combine action plans to ensure actions are manageable and clarify the roles of all staff in leading developments in 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 has taken effective action to ensure continuity in leadership when the headteacher leaves the school. It has brokered the support of an associate headteacher from an outstanding school until a substantive headteacher is appointed. The local authority adviser has provided good support to ensure action planning fully addresses the areas identified as requiring improvement in the inspection. Support to the school is in accordance with Lancashire’s ‘School Service Guarantee’ and additional funding for support from a National Leader of Education has been allocated.

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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 Lancashire.

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