Setting

Mr A Yates Headteacher The Tynings School Eastleigh Close Staple Hill Bristol BS16 4SG

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Requires improvement: monitoring inspection visit to The Tynings School

Following my visit to your school on 2 June 2014, 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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Requires improvement: monitoring inspection visit to The Tynings School

The visit was the second 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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Requires improvement: monitoring inspection visit to The Tynings School

Senior leaders and governors are continuing to take incisive action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified at the recent section 5 inspection.

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Evidence

During the visit, meetings were held with you, other school leaders and the Chair of the Governing Body to discuss the actions taken since the last inspection. A meeting was also held with a group of Year 6 pupils. The school’s analysis of pupils’ tracking information was reviewed.

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Context

Since my last visit in September 2013, two teachers have returned to school following periods of absence. As a result of increasing numbers of pupils at the school, plans are well in hand to open an additional Year 3 class in September 2014. 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 5359 Email : christina.bannerman@tribalgroup.com The school’s leaders have also agreed that the deputy headteacher will reduce her working week to four days from September 2014 and be non-class based. To accommodate these changes two full-time teachers have been appointed ready to start in the new term.

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Context

The major building project taking place at the school is on track and good progress is being maintained to ensure that the new accommodation will be ready on time.

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Main findings

 The headteacher, staff and governing body are firmly focused on working together to ensure that the school is judged at least good when it is re- inspected. The school’s leaders have taken advantage of a wide variety of opportunities to attend Ofsted’s presentations that focus on improving pupils’ performance.

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Main findings

 Staff morale is good and there is a firm determination to demonstrate the school’s progress. Confidence is high and those in charge are clear about the school’s next steps for improvement.

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Main findings

 The school is making effective progress implementing its improvement plan. The quality of teaching is improving, which is raising pupils’ achievement. Importantly, the senior leaders are clear about where further improvement is needed and they are taking action to support teachers to improve their practice.

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Main findings

 All members of the leadership team are making a strong contribution to the school’s development. The positive changes that have taken place in the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure that children settle quickly into school routines and begin to make good progress. The literacy and numeracy leaders are making a good contribution to raising standards across the school. Over the last year, they have grown in confidence and have developed a good knowledge and understanding of pupils’ performance in their respective areas.

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Main findings

 The school has utilised its pupil premium funding well. In 2013, there was no attainment gap for Year 6 pupils at the end of Key Stage 2. This year’s intervention strategies have been well organised and targeted at those pupils needing additional support. The ‘summer school’ for Year 6 pupils, run over the Easter holiday, was particularly successful at encouraging pupils to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

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Main findings

 The school’s information about pupils’ performance this year is positive. The senior leaders are challenging teachers to add extra challenge to their lessons so as to stretch the most able pupils. Similarly, the school is strengthening its intervention strategies to better support disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs.  The school’s sports premium funding is being deployed effectively to raise participation levels and increase opportunities for pupils to experience competition.

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Main findings

 The governing body is led by a strong and knowledgeable Chair who is confident at holding the school to account. The governing body is well informed about the school’s work. The headteacher’s reports are comprehensive as are those from other school leaders. They focus on progress being made in specific areas, which ensures that the governors are up-to-date with developments.

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Main findings

 The school has strengthened its communication links with families and the local community. The school’s website has been updated to include information about the use and impact of the school’s pupil premium funding and the sports premium.

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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

The school continues to receive good quality support from the local authority. The local authority advisers are working with senior leaders and monitoring the school’s progress carefully. This high level of scrutiny is helpful to the school as it provides a clear evaluation about the progress being achieved. The reports also provide accurate recommendations that focus attention on areas still in need of improvement

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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 South Gloucestershire.

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