Setting

Paul Rust Walesby CofE Primary School New Hill Walesby Newark NG22 9PB

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Education act 2005 to Walesby CofE Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 24 January 2013, 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 Walesby CofE Primary School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in 8 November 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 assistant headteacher, the Chair and two other members of the Governing Body, and a group of pupils. A telephone conversation and meeting was also held with a representative of the local authority. The school’s developing excellence plan was also evaluated.

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Context

Since the most recent inspection, the headteacher has been appointed to the headship of a school in a neighbouring local authority.

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Main findings

The headteacher and assistant headteacher, with the support of the associate adviser, have devised an effective action plan that provides a firm foundation for improvement. The plan suitably addresses all areas identified at the last inspection and includes appropriate actions, timescales and intentions. However, the plan does not always make clear how the governing body will check for themselves that the school’s actions are making a difference to pupils’ learning and the quality of Serco Inspections Colmore Plaza 20 Colmore Circus Queensway Birmingham B4 6AT T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T :0121 679 9164 Direct email : tim.ogbourn@serco.com teaching. The plan has been shared with staff, but not yet with the full governing body.

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Main findings

School leaders have begun implementing half-termly pupil progress meetings. Additional meetings have also been established to check how well those identified with learning difficulties are progressing. Plans have been constructed to improve the teaching of letters and sounds (phonics). A programme of targeted support has also been developed for those teachers identified as requiring improvement, but this has yet to be implemented. The headteacher has provided greater clarity about the management responsibilities of middle leaders (subject leaders).

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Main findings

Governors are not yet fully involved in evaluating the work of the school and acknowledge the need for further training and support. Further guidance is needed to help governors understand of how to analyse the school’s data; to identify possible strategies they can use to check what is happening in school for themselves; and, to consider key questions they should ask of school leaders to increase their understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses. As a matter of some urgency, governors need to determine whether they wish the local authority to secure an interim headteacher for the school or whether they wish to make an internal appointment. They also need to start the process to appoint a substantive headteacher.

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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 recommend that further action is taken to:

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Main findings

 ensure that the excellence plan specifies clearly how governors will evaluate the impact of the school’s action  ensure leaders and staff work with the associate adviser to implement the excellence plan in order to secure improvement in achievement and teaching  monitor the impact of the planned actions and share the outcomes with the staff and governing body  provide training and support for governors so they can hold the school to account for standards and quality  secure the appointment of an interim headteacher as soon as possible and begin the process of recruiting a substantive headteacher to the school  ensure continuity during the period of change.

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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, following the recent appointment of an associate adviser, is increasing its understanding of those areas requiring improvement. A good working relationship is developing between the school’s leaders and the associate adviser. The adviser has begun working the school’s leaders and staff to support the improvement of teaching and assessment. For instance, the adviser has worked with staff on the effective use of assessment. A number of days have been allocated to provide further guidance for leaders, staff and governors. There is further scope for the local authority to provide training for the governing body. Support is needed by the governing body in securing the appointment of an interim headteacher in the short term, and recruiting a substantive headteacher in the long term.

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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 Nottinghamshire.

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