Setting

Robert della-Spina Headteacher John Davies Primary and Nursery School Barker Street Huthwaite Sutton-in-Ashfield NG17 2LH

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and Nursery School

Following my visit to your school on 11 November 2014, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report the inspection 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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and Nursery School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in July 2014. It was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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and Nursery School

Senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified at the recent section 5 inspection.

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Evidence

During the inspection, meetings were held with the headteacher and senior leaders, subject coordinators, the Chair of Governors, and a representative of the local authority to discuss the action taken since the last inspection. The inspector toured the school, visiting all classrooms, and held discussions with pupils and looked at 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 : emma.norwood@serco.com examples of their work. The school improvement plan was evaluated. Documents relating to the staff recruitment checks carried out by the school were scrutinised.

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Main findings

Both senior leaders and other members of staff with leadership responsibilities are now better organised and more focussed than previously on bringing about necessary improvements at the school. They are much more systematic in checking on the quality of teaching and providing information to the staff more frequently, to bring about improvements.

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Main findings

A detailed action plan was prepared promptly after the inspection and covers all of the areas for improvement from the inspection. It includes a good range of relevant professional development opportunities to enable the staff to develop the required skills and understanding.

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Main findings

The governing body is now obtaining more information for itself directly from visits to the school and meetings with relevant members of staff. A review of governance was instigated before the inspection took place and has now been completed. The governing body has reconstituted, as a result of the review, and is putting into action planned changes to its ways of working.

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Main findings

The teachers are beginning to have higher expectations of what the pupils can achieve and to plan work for the pupils accordingly. It was apparent, however, through conversations with the pupils that the work set is still not always at the right level.

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Main findings

A systematic approach to marking the pupils work has been introduced and is being used by all of the staff. The pupils understand the marking scheme and are finding it helpful in improving their work. The teachers use the marking to push the pupils’ learning further, routinely requiring them to make amendments, or corrections.

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Main findings

The teachers are placing noticeable emphasis on extending the pupils’ vocabulary, both within lessons and through a range of materials on display in and around classrooms. They do not, however, exploit question and answer sessions within lessons sufficiently to develop the pupils’ speaking skills, including their use of vocabulary.

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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 has benefited from a close and effective working partnership with the local authority education improvement adviser. The work carried out is leading to improvements in leadership and management and in the quality of teaching. The school is working in partnership with another school to provide professional development opportunities for the staff and makes contact with schools outside of the local area, in order to find particular expertise, when needed. Senior leaders are also identifying other sources of support themselves and using them effectively to support improvements.

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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 Nottinghamshire.

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

cc. Chair of the Governing Body cc. Local authority

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