Setting

Sarah Miller Headteacher Coopersale and Theydon Garnon CofE VC Primary School Brickfield Road Coopersale Epping Essex CM16 7QX

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Theydon Garnon CofE VC Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 17 June 2013, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report 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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Theydon Garnon CofE VC Primary School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in March 2013. 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, pupils, staff, the governing body and a representative of the local authority to discuss the action taken since the last inspection. The school action plan was evaluated and three lessons observed.

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Context

There have been a few changes in the year group teachers work with since the section 5 inspection. 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 9160 Direct email :antony.grace@serco.com

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Main findings

Pupils’ achievement has improved since the last section 5 inspection. The school’s current data indicates that attainment is slightly above average in Key Stage 1 in reading, writing and mathematics, and in Key Stage 2 attainment is above average in mathematics and slightly below in English. This is an improvement from 2012. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in Year 2 and across Key Stage 2. This is the result of better teaching. There remain inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and the school is working hard to address this. Marking has improved since the section 5 inspection and this has contributed to better pupil progress. However it is not always clear to pupils precisely what teachers mean in their written comments.

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Main findings

The governors are fully involved in school improvement. They visit the school frequently and continue to ask searching questions about pupils’ progress. For example they ask for progress information every half term. They have a good understanding of how pupil premium (additional funding for pupils eligible for free school meals, those in care and those with a parent in the armed forces) is spent. They are in the process of reviewing the school’s action plan and making sure that all activities have a good impact on school improvement.

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Main findings

Senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified at the recent section 5 inspection. The school should take further action to make sure that:

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Main findings

 all teachers understand precisely what good learning looks like in every year group  pupils understand teachers’ marking and precisely what they must do next to improve their work  they choose the right support programmes to bring about rapid improvement.

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Main findings

Ofsted may carry out further visits and, where necessary, provide further support and challenge to the school until its next section 5 inspection.

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External support

The school is drawing well on the external support offered by the local authority.

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External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body, the Director of Children’s Services for Essex and the Director of Education for the Diocese of Chelmsford.

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