Setting

Amanda Newbold Headteacher St Modwen's Catholic Primary School Belvoir Road Burton-on-Trent DE13 0RA

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Education act 2005 to St Modwen's Catholic Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 18 March 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 St Modwen's Catholic Primary School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in 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, five members of the governing body and two representatives of the local authority. A learning walk was completed with the headteacher. The school improvement plans were also evaluated.

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Context

The governing body has made changes to the structure of the senior leadership team. One teacher left the school at the end of the autumn term. A deputy headteacher has been appointed and will take up post in April 2013. 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

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Main findings

Since the previous inspection, some important actions have been taken to ensure that:  a cycle of monitoring of teaching and learning ,including lesson observations, checks on the quality of work in pupils’ books is in place  meetings take place to discuss the progress of pupils with those teachers in charge of subjects  action plans provide details of the expected improvements in the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement  the senior leadership team is more effective.

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Main findings

Members of the governing body played a key role in the recent restructure of the senior leadership team. Governors would welcome further training so that they are aware of the very best practice in school improvement so that the school is judged good at its next inspection.

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Main findings

 much of the improvement work falls to the headteacher  pupils do not make as much progress in mathematics as they do in reading and writing  those teachers who have responsibilities for subjects are at an early stage of checking on the quality of teaching and learning  reports from subject leaders, although providing a useful summary, do not always make clear the precise impact of their actions are having on pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching.

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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 make sure that:

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Main findings

 effective induction and support arrangements for the deputy headteacher take place  all staff are aware of the latest developments in the teaching of mathematics  reports make clear the impact of any actions taken on pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching  the governing body receives further training so that it is aware of best practice in governance.

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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 knows the school well and has regular discussions about the school’s progress. It has ensured that the school is linked to a local leader of education. Partnerships with a number of local schools are also giving teachers the chance to attend training and observe good practice. This support has strengthened leadership and begun to improve the quality teaching within the school.

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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 Staffordshire.

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