Setting

Mrs J Milnes Principal Worlaby Academy Low Road Brigg DN21 0NA

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Requires improvement: monitoring inspection visit to Worlaby Academy

Following my visit to your school on 12 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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Requires improvement: monitoring inspection visit to Worlaby Academy

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 and the numeracy leader, the Chair and another member of the governing body. A meeting was also held with the Senior Education Adviser from Schools Partnership Trust Academies (SPTA) who is the sponsor for the academy. The academy development plan and other monitoring documents were evaluated. I toured the academy with you. I also looked at some examples of written feedback to teachers following lesson observations and also feedback provided to pupils, by teachers, in their numeracy books.

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Main findings

Improving the quality of teaching and ensuring consistency throughout the academy is at the top of the agenda as you work to improve the provision for all pupils. Teachers are receiving regular feedback following lesson observations so that they are clear how they can improve their work. This helps them understand how improvements will lead to better progress by all pupils. Improving resources in 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 566862 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email: rcowley@cfbt.com classrooms, for example ensuring that there is plenty of information displayed on the walls, is helping pupils to find things out for themselves and not rely on the teacher. This is clear evidence that you have responded appropriately to the points identified in the section 5 report. The numeracy leader has made use of the Ofsted publication

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Main findings

‘Made to Measure’ to help guide her work. Understanding colleagues’ individual needs so that they can teach numeracy successfully is an important next step so that appropriate training can be provided. Opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy in other curriculum areas are being planned and these need to be reviewed next term.

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Main findings

The academy’s development plan has been reviewed and simplified. Governors are now linked to the three key improvement issues, they take their responsibilities seriously and early indications show that they are asking searching questions about the academy’s progress in tackling weaknesses. However, within the development plan there are insufficient precise milestones, at regular intervals, when actions undertaken will be checked to make sure they are making a difference.

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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. Following the visit to your academy, I recommend that further action is taken to:

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Main findings

 Strengthen the development plan to include regular milestones so that the impact of each action can be checked  Audit teachers’ numeracy skills so that appropriate training can be provided  Review during the autumn term the proposed curriculum changes to make sure they are appropriate.

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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

You value the regular support and challenge provided by the sponsor in your drive to move the academy forward. Joint observations with the senior improvement adviser are providing you with the skills to develop confidence, identifying good teaching and understand what good looks like. SPTA have been instrumental in forging links with other local academies so that practice can be observed at all levels.

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External support

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and to the Director of SPTA.

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