Setting

CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancs Investment Centre Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 1231231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566862 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email: rcowley@cfbt.com

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Miss J Sanderson Headteacher Blackburn Primary School Baring Road Blackburn Rotherham South Yorkshire S61 2BU

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Blackburn Primary School

Following my visit to your school on 25 March 2014, I write on behalf of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills to confirm the inspection findings. Thank you for the help you gave during the inspection and for the time you made available to discuss the actions which have been taken since the school's recent section 5 inspection.

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Blackburn Primary School

The inspection was the first monitoring inspection since the school became subject to special measures following the inspection which took place in November 2013.

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Evidence

During this inspection, meetings were held with the headteacher; the Chair of the Governing Body and five other governors; a representative of the local authority; and other members of the senior leadership team. The local authority's statement of action and the school's improvement plan were evaluated.

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Context

Since the inspection the deputy headteacher’s employment has increased from three to four days each week. The literacy coordinator has stepped down from the role, which is now covered by the deputy headteacher. The numeracy coordinator has been given more leadership time and has additional responsibility for upper Key Stage 2. The Chair and vice- chair of the Governing Body have resigned. A new Chair and two other governors have been appointed and a new vice-chair will be appointed shortly.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The headteacher has a detailed understanding of what is wrong in the school and is taking effective steps to make the necessary changes. The school’s improvement plans clearly reflect the areas for improvement and have sufficiently clear success criteria to be able to hold staff to account. Senior leaders now check the quality of teaching and the progress pupils are making more regularly. The headteacher has recognised the need to learn from other schools and has set up a number of links within the local area. Some effective partnerships are developing and teachers are taking opportunities to observe and work with outstanding teachers in other schools. In addition, the local authority is providing training for teachers and teaching assistants. However, senior leaders and governors are aware that the quality of teaching, and support from teaching assistants, is still inconsistent and needs to improve further.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

Steps have been taken to increase the accuracy of assessment. Consequently, the data used by governors and senior leaders are more reliable. This means senior leaders are more able to pin-point those pupils making slower progress and provide them with additional support.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

An external review of governance has been completed. The governing body has reconstituted and added some more experienced and knowledgeable members. Governing body committees are now better placed to check on the work of the school. Governors have received training on school performance data and have a better understanding of the challenges facing the school. They have begun to ask more probing questions of senior leaders. However, the Evaluation Group, which includes governors, a representative of the local authority and senior leaders, does not meet frequently enough to check on, and evaluate, pupil progress data and the impact of the school improvement plan.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

Following the monitoring inspection the following judgements were made:

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The local authority's statement of action is fit for purpose.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The school's improvement plan is fit for purpose.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that the school may appoint newly qualified teachers only after consultation with the lead Her Majesty’s Inspector.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

I am copying this letter to the Secretary of State, the Chair of the Governing Body and the Strategic Director, Children & Young People's Services for Rotherham. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

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