Setting

Michael Rodgers The Headteacher Brookside Primary School Rostherne Avenue Great Sutton Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 2EE

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School

Following my visit to your school on 19 September, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report my findings. 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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School

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

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School

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

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School

 tighten up the action plan to make sure staff report to governors every half term on the improvements to pupils’ progress.

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Evidence

During the visit, I met with you, other school leaders, pupils, the Chair and other members of the Governing Body to discuss the action taken since the last inspection. I evaluated the school development plans; the school’s system for tracking pupils’ attainment and progress; the assessment summary for 2012-13 and teachers’ moderation of pupils’ work. I met pupils from Years 4, 5 and 6 to talk about recent changes in the school and look at examples of their work. You and I visited each CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancs Investment Centre Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566863 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email : jbennett@cfbt.com classroom to meet pupils and staff and look at the improvements to teaching put in place since the last inspection.

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Main findings

You, the governors and staff are determined to ensure the school is good. The development plan focuses clearly on the areas for improvement identified in the recent inspection. However, parts of it should be more precise to ensure improved progress for all pupils is maintained.

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Main findings

You see the need to strengthen the quality and consistency of teaching and challenge all pupils to work more independently and take responsibility for their own learning and progress. Pupils told me they are more confident about how to improve their work and I saw evidence of this during my visit. Staff training has had a noticeable impact on pupils becoming more independent. You have introduced a new system of improving reading and writing and pupils told me about the increased opportunities for extended writing. The marking system is better and time is set aside every day to make sure that they correct their work and learn from their mistakes.

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Main findings

Training for teachers has improved the questioning of pupils. You evaluate the impact of extra support to ensure pupils reach their potential. You have improved the accuracy and consistency of the way in which you measure attainment and progress. Staff say they are determined to improve the quality of teaching through a better balance between teacher talk and the pupils’ activity in lessons. Staff have developed positive links with a local academy high school and local authority networks.

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Main findings

You have analysed your latest set of test results, which have improved, and have increased the drive to improve spelling. You have planned carefully how to use the new Sports Fund so pupils’ progress is clearly evaluated.

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Main findings

The governing body has reacted positively and increased their presence around the school. Governors worked with you to tighten the attendance procedures and the local authority has given you support and advice prior to you issuing your first Fixed Penalty Notice. You are confident that parents will work with you to improve pupils’ attendance rates. All governors have trained on modern governance and have applied for national recognition as an effective governing body. They are proactive about seeking help from the local authority and other local governor groups and to raise their profile within the school.

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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 attended the Ofsted ‘Getting to good’ seminar and said this enabled you to have a sharper focus and sense of urgency prior to my visit today. You have made good use of the support provided by the local authority in the past, and school staff are proactive in seeking help and advice from representatives of the local authority and feel fully supported. However, there have been local authority staff changes and support has been limited since your last inspection. No representative of the local authority attended today. I will contact them to check on the level of support and challenge you will be getting over the next twelve months.

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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 Cheshire West and Cheshire as below.

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

The letter should be copied to the following:

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

 Appropriate authority - Chair of the Governing Body/Interim Executive Board  Local authority – including where the school is an academy  The lead inspector.

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