Setting

Mrs Vikki Marsh-Ballard Headteacher Liden Primary School Liden Drive Swindon Wiltshire SN3 6EX

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Education Act 2005 to Liden Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 20 June, 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 Liden Primary School

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

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Evidence

During the visit I met with you to discuss the context of the school and your work since the inspection. You showed me around your school and explained your recent and planned developments. I also met with the deputy headteacher, three members of the governing body and a representative from the local authority. During the visit I also evaluated reports from the local authority, current assessment data and the school improvement plan.

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Context

Since the last inspection there have been significant changes to the senior leadership team in the school. A new deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher have been appointed. Also two new key stage leaders will be joining the school in September. 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 311 5316 Direct F 0117 3150430 Direct email :Shannyn.sachse@tribalgroup.com

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Main findings

Senior leaders are working with the governing body to take effective action and tackle the areas requiring improvement, identified at the recent section 5 inspection. The headteacher and governing body have high expectations of themselves and share their high expectations of the pupils with the rest of the school staff. Teacher assessments indicate that pupil achievement has improved since the inspection. Following my visit to the school, I recommended that further action is focused on taking ownership of the improvement agenda by:

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Main findings

 adopting a more differentiated approach to improving the quality of teaching, taking into account the starting points of different teachers and different subjects  making sure that middle leaders develop the generic skills of measuring pupils’ progress and judging quality of teaching rather than developing complex systems to track progress in each foundation subject  ensuring that senior leaders are given every opportunity to develop and improve their leadership skills.

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Main findings

Although Ofsted will continue to monitor the school until its next section 5 inspection the school does not require additional support from an HMI.

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External support

The school is making effective use of the good support provided by the local authority. The local authority holds regular meetings to review progress and to challenge the school to improve further. They have brokered support from a local leader of education with a clear focus on specific areas that the school needs to develop. The local authority has also been able to broker support for teachers that require improvement and those aspiring to become outstanding practitioners.

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External support

The school must now seek support from the local authority to identify opportunities for both the headteacher and the governing body to develop and strengthen their own practice.

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External support

It is recommended that senior leaders attend the school improvement seminars organised by Ofsted and accept the invitation to attend one of the Good Practice in Mathematics conferences, currently being offered by Ofsted.

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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 Swindon.

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