Setting

Mr Ian Smith Headteacher Leonard Stanley Church of England Primary School Bath Road Stonehouse GL10 3LY

p.1

Education Act 2005 to Leonard Stanley Church of England Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 15 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.

p.1

Education Act 2005 to Leonard Stanley Church of England Primary School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in January 2013. It was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

p.1

Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with the headteacher, the Chair of Governors and two other members of the governing body, and a representative from the local authority. The improvement plan, known in school as the ‘Raising Achievement Plan’, was evaluated.

p.1

Context

Since the school’s inspection there have been no changes to staffing although one teacher leaves shortly. The vacancy has been filled and the new teacher has already started an induction period within the school. 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 3115319 Direct F 0117 3150430 Email :matthew.parker@tribalgroup.com

p.1

Main findings

The headteacher has lost no time in introducing a manageable pupil tracking system, which measures progress accurately and is clear and manageable for the teachers. The headteacher maintains details of teachers’ performance, which are being used to monitor and strengthen the quality of teaching. However, he recognises the need to make sure that these records are easily accessible for external scrutiny and accountability. Teachers have identified four key aspects of teaching, which they have agreed underpins good learning and should be an entitlement for all pupils in school. These include the way in which lesson objectives are planned and modified, the needs of all pupils are met, the manner in which lessons are taught and how progress in learning is checked.

p.2

Main findings

Members of the governing body have also taken positive steps to increase their level of challenge. Following the resignation of a key member of staff, governors rapidly appointed an experienced teacher and gained additional funding from the local authority to ensure that the class affected by the change, experiences a smooth transition. The governing body has been involved in the choice of the new pupil tracking system, sensibly taking advice from the local authority. Several governors are shortly to attend training, which will improve their understanding and use of school data to hold the school to account. The governing body has undertaken a review of their role and identified the need to establish agreed procedures for visiting the school, including keeping a log of such visits. Governors have also recognised the need for further training and know that they must maintain a detailed record of this.

p.2

Main findings

The ‘Raising Achievement Plan’ takes full account of the areas that the section 5 inspection identified for improvement. The plan includes appropriate actions, timescales and identifies both how these will be measured and by whom.

p.2

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:

p.2

Main findings

 devise a clear and manageable format for recording the evaluations made on the quality of teaching and learning  strengthen the governing body’s role in challenging the school by providing further training.

p.2

Main findings

Ofsted will continue to monitor the school until its next section 5 inspection.

p.2

External support

The school has benefited from the recent financial support from the local authority to help with the smooth induction of the new member of staff and support the assessment process at the end of Year 2. Governors have appreciated the advice given to them prior to choosing a programme to track pupil progress and have some have already signed up for forthcoming training events with the local authority. The regular meetings between senior leaders, the Chair of the Governing Body and the local authority to check the progress being made in school improvement ensure that school improvement is being measured and checked with rigour. The review of governance has been undertaken by the local authority and members of the governing body are keen to consider what needs to be taken on board to improve their role.

p.2

External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Director of Children’s Services for Gloucestershire and as below.

p.3