Setting

Gill Maguire Christ Church CofE Infant School Victoria Street NG24 4UT

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Infant School

Following my visit to your school on 27 September 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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Infant School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in 9 July 2013. It was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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Infant School

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:

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Infant School

 implement the planned professional development activities for teachers quickly and ensure that the learning from them is put into practice.  ensure pupils and parents and carers are fully aware of the importance of good attendance  work with the local authority and the diocese to ensure that the support planned for the school is a coherent package.

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Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with you and other senior leaders, the Vice- chair and members of the Governing Body, and a representative of the local authority. I carried out a tour of the school, accompanied by pupils. The school improvement plan was evaluated.

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Main findings

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 9156 Direct email : beckydawson@serco.com Your work over the summer ensured that actions to bring about the required improvements were planned and that the school was able to begin work right at the start of the term. You have carried out initial activities to reinforce the school’s behaviour policy and emphasise the importance of attendance. My discussions with the pupils indicated that the management of behaviour is more consistent already and there was evidence around the school of the work to encourage good attendance. Nevertheless, improving attendance remains a priority for the school.

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Main findings

You have arranged quickly a well-thought-out range of professional development activities for the staff, to bring about improvements in the quality of teaching. Although those activities have yet to begin, discussions with the pupils indicated that there have been some improvements in teaching already, such as the range of opportunities for them to develop their writing skills. They were less aware of opportunities to practice their numeracy. We discussed some ways in which you can increase the pace of developments at the school, by ensuring that the staff receive feedback on how well they are making the changes more frequently and more quickly.

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Main findings

Governors have contributed well in producing the plan of action for improving the school. The governors’ contribution has ensured that the plan is focused on the right priorities. As a result, the plan is a thorough and carefully considered response to all of the areas for improvement from the inspection.

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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

Support from the local authority has helped the school to develop its plan of action quickly. You have, with the assistance of the diocese, arranged a link with another school judged to be outstanding, to provide support and professional development. You have also identified a range of networks that will provide support to the school, including with attendance. It is not clear yet that the range of support available is a coherent package. At the time of this visit, the arrangements for the school to receive the support of an adviser cover two terms only. I discussed with the local authority the need to ensure the school has access to support beyond two terms.

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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 insert local authority name and as below.

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