Setting

Mrs Lynne Yelland Headteacher Kewstoke Primary School Kewstoke Road Weston-Super-Mare BS22 9YF

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Authority

Following my visit to your school on 24 June 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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Authority

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.

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Evidence

During the visit I met with you, teachers, pupils, members of the governing body and had a telephone conversation with a representative of the local authority to discuss actions to improve the school. I scrutinised a range of documents and visited all classes.

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Main findings

The school’s monitoring of teaching indicates that quality of teaching is better since the inspection. It is leading to pupils making improved progress, particularly in English and mathematics. Teachers have used additional support and training to reflect on their practice and take the necessary steps to improve. A whole-school emphasis on ensuring that pupils’ work is always meaningful, engaging and challenging has improved pupils’ focus and enjoyment. Marking and feedback to 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 5323 Direct email :suzy.smith@tribalgroup.com pupils about their work is better. Teaching assistants have more opportunities to contribute to the planning and delivery of lessons. Teachers have a clearer picture of pupils’ progress. Gaps in pupils’ knowledge, which have been hindering their learning, have been identified and positive steps have been taken to address these

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Main findings

through flexible pupil groupings and interventions. You, governors and the local authority share the view that teaching is not yet consistently good or better throughout the school. You are all fully aware of the need for on-going, targeted support with clear timescales for improvement.

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Main findings

The school has taken positive steps to develop further the knowledge and skills required to develop teachers’ leadership roles. There has been external training and opportunities to work alongside other professionals. Subject leaders are now confidently examining pupils’ progress and the quality of their work and identifying development opportunities for the school. The accountabilities and responsibilities of the subject leaders are not yet well defined and this is hindering the development of capacity of the leadership team overall. Governors are very knowledgeable about the school. Their effectiveness in supporting senior leaders is a key factor in the school’s improvement.

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Main findings

The school devised a school improvement plan promptly following the section 5 inspection. This appropriately identified the necessary tasks that had to be completed to address issues. Many of these tasks are now finished. The plan however does not have clear success criteria related to pupils’ learning and outcomes. Monitoring and evaluation are not precise enough.

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Main findings

The local authority has an accurate view of the school’s progress. It has provided valuable support that the school has welcomed. It continues to challenge the school through regular monitoring visits.

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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.

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Main findings

Following the visit to the school, HMI recommend that further action is taken to:

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Main findings

 Review the school’s development plan so that it identifies those priorities that will ensure the school is providing a good or better education for all its pupils by the next inspection. Ensure that success criteria are clearly expressed in terms of pupils’ learning, progress and behaviour. Ensure that time scales, monitoring and evaluation arrangements are clear.  Ensure that the responsibilities and accountabilities of subject leaders are clarified.

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Main findings

Ofsted will continue to monitor the school until its next section 5 inspection. I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Governing Body and the Director of Children’s Services for North Somerset.

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