Setting

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

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Michaela Glarvey Acting Headteacher Newman School East Bawtry Road Rotherham South Yorkshire S60 3LX

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Requires improvement monitoring inspection of Newman School

This letter sets out the findings from the monitoring inspection that took place on Tuesday 30 th January 2024, on behalf of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The monitoring inspection was carried out under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and took place because the school received a judgement of requires improvement at its previous graded (section 5) inspection.

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Requires improvement monitoring inspection of Newman School

The purpose of a monitoring inspection is not to grade the school’s overall effectiveness, but to identify and report on the school’s progress. It is to highlight to the school and parents any improvements that school leaders have made since the school’s previous graded inspection.

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Requires improvement monitoring inspection of Newman School

During the inspection, I discussed with you, other senior leaders, staff, governors and the local authority the actions you have taken to improve the school since the most recent graded inspection. We discussed the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also visited the early years, primary and Newman Resource sites. I met with groups of pupils from all sites, including a virtual meeting with pupils from the Dinnington site, and reviewed a selection of curriculum documentation, governors’ minutes and behaviour plans. I have considered all this in coming to my judgement.

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Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is

necessary for the school to become good.

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Main findings

Since the last inspection, the new early years and primary school building has been completed and pupils have moved into their new classes. In addition, you were recently appointed as acting headteacher in the absence of the substantive headteacher. You, along with the senior leadership team, have managed these changes well, minimising the impact on pupils and staff. As a leadership team, you have kept your focus on the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection.

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Main findings

Leaders have made significant improvements to the curriculum. Working in curriculum teams, leaders have identified the core knowledge, vocabulary and small steps of learning in each subject. Staff use this guidance effectively to plan learning opportunities within and across the four learning pathways. In the early years, there is now a clear progression in learning from when children enter the school through to the end of key stage 1. Leaders have started to consider the best ways to assess what pupils know and can remember. You should make sure that this remains a focus in the coming term.

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Main findings

You have ensured that there is a comprehensive professional development offer for all members of staff. This ranges from externally accredited training through to weekly ‘light- bite’ sessions which respond to emerging staff need. Staff speak positively about these sessions and feel that they make professional learning accessible and relevant without adding to their workload. The governing body have a clear understanding of the development needs of the school. They provide skilled and focused challenge and support to leaders which is helping to keep the school moving forward.

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Main findings

The introduction of the restorative approach to behaviour management and the individual pupil support plans have had a positive impact on behaviour across the school. The ‘TAG’ team provide effective support when pupils do not respond to in-class strategies. Staff now feel confident that they will get the right support at the right time to manage pupils’ behaviour and emotional needs.

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Main findings

As a leadership team, you have found the support of the local authority highly beneficial in helping you to respond to the improvements needed in school. This includes the external evaluation and support that they have commissioned on your behalf. You are keen to continue your partnership with the local authority as you move towards your next inspection.

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Main findings

I am copying this letter to the chair of the board of governors, the Department for Education’s regional director and the director of children’s services for Rotherham. This letter will be published on the Ofsted reports website.

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