Setting

Anne Gorolini Headteacher Bonneygrove Primary School Dark Lane Cheshunt EN7 5ED

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Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 19 November 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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Primary School

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

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Primary 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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Primary School

 ensure that handwriting and spelling are taught effectively throughout the school to improve the quality and accuracy of pupils’ writing.

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Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with you, other senior leaders, the governing body and a representative of the local authority to discuss the action taken since the last inspection. The improvement plan was evaluated. I also had a tour of the school to observe teachers working with pupils in all classes and looked at the pupils’ English and mathematics books. I also reviewed the latest monitoring reports by yourself, the governing body and local authority related to the performance of the school. 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 9146 Direct email : clare.benson@serco.com

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Context

A part-time teacher has been appointed to support the teaching of literacy and mathematics in Key Stage 2 and release the deputy headteacher to play a more prominent leadership role within the school.

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Main findings

In partnership with your deputy headteacher and the school leadership team, you quickly provided the necessary training and support for staff to improve the quality of planning, teaching of mathematics and marking of pupils’ work. Discussions with yourself and deputy, combined with a scrutiny of pupils’ books, confirm that detailed marking and target setting are increasing the involvement of pupils in their learning. This is accelerating their achievement because all pupils now know what they need to do next to improve. However, it is disappointing that this better marking is yet to eliminate inaccuracies in pupils’ spelling of common words or encouraging them to write more neatly. Progress in writing, is therefore, not as rapid as it could be.

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Main findings

I note from our discussions that you regularly observe teaching and learning in all classes. You have modified the techniques for recording your findings in line with the key issues from the last inspection. You are using the results of these observations well to identify aspects of teaching and learning that can be further improved.

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Main findings

In partnership with staff and governors you have implemented a detailed and comprehensive improvement plan to tackle the issues from the last inspection. This plan provides you with an effective structure with which to push forward rapid improvement. It specifically identifies who will lead each action, when each should be completed and who will monitor the impact of these actions. The inclusion of specific timescales and targets linked to pupil progress ensures that governors and yourself can measure the progress the school is making and challenge weaker performance in teaching and learning.

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Main findings

My discussion with several governors confirms that they have a good understanding of what the school needs to do next to address the issues from the last inspection. They are well organised and actively involved in monitoring the impact of school initiatives and the performance of leaders and staff. For example, in observing progress meetings and talking to pupils about the improvements that are taking place in 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

I am pleased that you have quickly utilised the support of local authority improvement officers and external consultants to support your further coaching of teachers. I note that you have also initiated stronger links with other local schools to support your drive for improvement. The engagement of a local teaching alliance is assisting you in the elimination of inconsistencies in teaching within the school.

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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 Hertfordshire.

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