Setting

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 1231 www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Mrs Samantha Moseley Headteacher All Saints’ Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Main Road Dovercourt Harwich Essex CO12 4HT

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Aided Primary School, Dovercourt

Following my visit with Bozena Laraway to your school on 5 July 2022, 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 me and the time you took to discuss your school.

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Aided Primary School, Dovercourt

This inspection was conducted under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 and in accordance with Ofsted’s published procedures for no formal designation (NFD) inspections. The inspection was carried out because Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector wished to determine the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements at the school. Concerns had also been raised with Ofsted about the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the effectiveness of leadership and management in the school, and the behaviour and attitudes of pupils.

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Aided Primary School, Dovercourt

We do not give graded judgements on NFD inspections. However, if we find some evidence that overall standards may be declining, but where no serious concerns have been identified, then the next inspection will normally be a section 5 inspection and will be brought forward. If we have serious concerns, we will deem the NFD inspection as a section 5 inspection immediately.

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Evidence

Inspectors scrutinised the single central record and other documents relating to safeguarding, child protection arrangements, attendance, behaviour and complaints procedures. We also considered reports from representatives of the local authority and minutes of governors’ meetings. Inspectors met with you, the deputy headteacher and the pastoral manager. Inspectors met with 47 pupils from all age ranges. Inspectors also met with six teachers, two members of support staff, the chair and the vice-chair of the governing body as well as a representative from the local authority. Inspectors spoke with 12 parents and three representatives of the school’s parent forum. We also considered a letter submitted by another representative of the parent forum.

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Evidence

Having considered the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time:

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Context

All Saints Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary is a small school of 186 pupils. The percentage of pupils from ethnic minority groups as well as those who speak English as an additional language (EAL) is well below the national average. Around a quarter of pupils are eligible for free school meals which is above average. The percentage of pupils with SEND, including those with an education, health and care plan (EHC plan) is broadly in line with national averages. In the current academic year, 19 pupils have left the school while seven have joined. In 2020-21 six pupils left the school while 12 joined. Leaders report some difficulties in recruiting staff. Turnover of teaching staff is low.

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Context

Ofsted was informed of concerns around the school’s safeguarding systems, pupil behaviour, staff wellbeing and SEND provision. This inspection therefore focused on the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements and SEND. Inspectors also considered leaders’ actions to manage pupils’ behaviour and to deal with pupil bullying. Inspectors also investigated staff well-being.

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Main Findings

Safeguarding is effective. You and your staff have fostered a vigilant culture around safeguarding. You have established robust systems for the reporting of concerns. Staff receive regular training to ensure they know how to identify pupils who may be at risk. Staff report concerns about pupils’ wellbeing swiftly and in line with the school’s safeguarding policy. Members of the safeguarding team respond quickly. They work with a variety of outside agencies to make sure pupils receive appropriate support. You provide governors with relevant detailed reports around safeguarding. Governors check how well you and your staff ensure that pupils are kept safe. You carry out required checks on all new members of staff before they join the school. Pupils feel safe. They know that staff care deeply about their well-being. Pupils will speak to an adult if they have concerns or are worried about others. Teachers ensure

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Main Findings

that pupils understand the potential dangers of being on-line. They know how to respond appropriately to a variety of risks.

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Main Findings

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. Pupils understand the school’s behaviour policy. Pupils report that at times when some pupils’ behaviour is less positive, teachers intervene swiftly. Parents concur that leaders manage behaviour well. They say that teachers apply the behaviour policy consistently. You place significant emphasis on teaching pupils what behaviours constitute bullying. Most pupils know the difference between bullying and occasional squabbles. A few pupils are not so clear. There is little bullying at school. When it happens, teachers resolve it, and it does not reoccur.

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Main Findings

Leaders and staff have established a highly positive, caring ethos. As a result of this, pupils have very positive attitudes towards those who are different from them, ‘none of us will accept racism’ and to those that have less, ‘we need to think about those that have nothing’. Pupils are compassionate, kind and welcoming. They look out for pupils who might need more support.

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Main Findings

Provision for SEND is effective. You, the deputy headteacher and the pastoral lead, have established reliable systems to accurately identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders communicate pupils’ needs clearly to staff. Leaders have equipped teachers with the information they need to help pupils with SEND to learn well. Those with oversight of SEND check how well the support for pupils with SEND is working. You draw on a variety of outside providers to complement the help pupils receive.

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Main Findings

Inspectors provided all staff with opportunities to meet privately and confidentially to discuss their perceptions of the school and of how leaders assure their well-being. All were unanimously positive about the school. Staff feel valued by you and other leaders. They concur that leaders are supportive and considerate of their well-being. Staff say that communication between leaders and staff is effective.

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Additional support

You have used a variety of multi-agencies to strengthen your safeguarding systems and to support your SEND provision.

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Additional support

I am copying this letter to the chair of the governing body, the director of education for the Diocese of Chelmsford, the regional schools commissioner and the director of children’s services for Essex. This letter will be published on the Ofsted reports website.

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