Setting

Miss Sally Warrington Headteacher Lake View Primary and Nursery School Rainworth Water Road Rainworth Mansfield NG21 0DU

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and Nursery School

Following my visit to your school on 29 April 2015, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to report on 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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and Nursery School

The visit was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement following the section 5 inspection in December 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 visit, meetings were held with you, two teaching and learning leaders, one subject leader, one representative of the governing body, a group of pupils and a representative of the local authority, to discuss the actions taken since the last inspection. I also held a telephone conversation with the Chair of the Governing Body. I evaluated your plans for improvement. I considered documentation relating to the monitoring of teaching and reviewed your most recent data on pupils’ progress and attainment. We conducted a tour of the school together and visited all classes to see pupils and staff at work.

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Context

Since the recent inspection, the deputy headteacher has resigned. Serco Inspections 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 9163 Direct email : lewis.mackie1@serco.com

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Main findings

Your improvement plans focus sharply on improving pupils’ achievements in mathematics and writing. The challenging targets you have set are giving a clear message to staff of the increased expectations for all pupils to make at least good progress. You are regularly scrutinising teachers’ planning, looking at work in pupils’ books, visiting lessons and considering information relating to pupils’ achievements. This is helping you to provide teachers with more detailed feedback on how to improve their practice.

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Main findings

The introduction of ‘Talk for Writing’ is improving pupils’ confidence to write at length in a broader range of subjects. Teachers are planning more opportunities for pupils to apply their understanding of mathematical concepts and this is helping them to gain confidence in solving problems. Pupils spoke about the improvements which are taking place. They told me that they are enjoying their learning more because they have increasing opportunities to work independently. They were keen to share recent examples of writing for different audiences including science reports, newsletters and letters to governors. They also showed me examples of how they respond to teachers’ marking in their books and how this is helping them to improve their work. These changes show that teaching is improving and having a positive impact on the quality of pupils’ learning.

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Main findings

Staff in the Early Years Foundation Stage are developing improved systems for assessment. These include gathering information about children in a variety of ways across all areas of learning, as well as increasing parental involvement. This is helping staff to develop an accurate picture of children’s skills and plan their learning more precisely to ensure that they make more rapid progress.

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Main findings

You are involving subject leaders more in checking on the quality of teaching in their subject areas. You are providing them with the necessary support and training they need to carry out their roles effectively. As a result, they can demonstrate impact in raising standards in their subjects.

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Main findings

The governing body has an accurate understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses. Governors have a good range of experience and expertise and hold you to account with rigour and confidence.

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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 local authority has brokered effective partner support from another local school and supported you in resolving weaknesses in senior leadership. You welcome the regular visits made by the education improvement adviser to check on progress and to challenge you on the impact of your leadership. 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

The letter should be copied to the following:

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Her Majesty’s Inspector

 Appropriate authority - Chair of the Governing Body/Interim Executive Board  Local authority – including where the school is an academy

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