Setting

Tribal Education and Technology 1-4 Portland Square Bristol BS2 8RR T 0845 123 6001 F 0845 123 6002 Ofsted helpline 08456 404045 edhelpline@ofsted.gov.uk

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Mrs Mary Murray The Headteacher St George’s Catholic Primary School Woodcock Road Warminster Wiltshire BE12 9EZ

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I visited your school on 16 June 2006, for the time you gave to our phone discussions, and for the information which you provided before and during my visit. Please pass on my particular thanks to those children and staff who met with me and to your chair of governors for the time he gave.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

Having carefully considered the evidence presented by the school and the local authority, I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress overall on the issues identified at the last inspection.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

As a result of the inspection in October 2005 the school was asked to look at three matters: improve progress in mathematics and writing in Key Stage 2; improve teaching by ensuring that teachers identify what pupils of different abilities need to learn during the lesson and make their targets clear to pupils; and, focus the monitoring and improvement of lessons on how well the specific subject observed is taught, involving subject leaders to a greater extent.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

There has been a particularly effective focus on developing pupils’ writing skills. A combination of advisor support, training, and improved monitoring of teaching has resulted in pupils making better progress. This is reflected in test results which show most pupils making substantial improvement. However, the school is aware that standards of writing in Key Stage 1 are not as good as they could be and has already started work to rectify this.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

Whilst significant attention has been given to mathematics, the improvements, although satisfactory, are not as pronounced as in writing. Pupils’ progress has improved but the school is aware of areas that still need developing. It recognises that resources need to be improved and that the quality of teaching and learning has to be more consistent across the school.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

The school has made satisfactory progress in addressing the key issue of setting targets. It has not, though, done as well in setting targets for individuals as it has in setting targets for groups of pupils. Teachers ensure pupils are clear about what they are expected to learn in their groups and pupils can explain what improvements they have made. Pupils like the opportunities they are now given to explain what they have learnt and to talk about what they should learn next. However, older pupils were unclear what would happen once their group had achieved its targets. Although there is some good practice, the school recognises that there is not a consistent approach across the school to setting individual targets and more work is needed in this.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

There is good evidence that the quality of teaching is gradually improving, particularly in literacy where the acting headteacher has had a significant impact. A considerable amount of work by staff, consultants and advisors has raised the school’s understanding of the quality of its teaching and the progress which the pupils are making.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

The school has had a great deal of support from the local authority. The statement for action is clear and ensures that good use is made of local subject advisors to support staff. There has been a high level of training and staff feel that they are ‘on the way up’. The changes of acting headteacher have been managed well by the local authority and bringing in an experienced headteacher from another school has been a very positive move. Good links have been established with her permanent replacement to ensure that the handover goes smoothly and there are minimal disruptions.

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OFSTED MONITORING OF SCHOOLS WITH NOTICE TO IMPROVE

I hope you find these evaluations helpful in taking the school forward.

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