Setting

Tribal Group 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 Christine Maddox The Deputy Headteacher Sundorne Infant School Corndon Crescent Sundorne Road Shrewsbury Shropshire SY1 4LE

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

Thank you for the help which your staff gave me when I monitored your school on 15 November 2006, for the time given to my phone discussions, and for the information provided before and during my visit.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

As a result of your inspection on 15 November 2005 the school was asked to: improve the rigour of monitoring of teaching and learning, school self- evaluation and school development planning and ensure targets for pupils with learning difficulties are reviewed regularly; improve the provision for mathematics by focusing more effectively on problem solving, challenging the higher attainers more consistently and providing more constructive feedback to pupils about their learning; and, continue to improve attendance by working closely with parents so they understand the importance of good attendance.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making good progress in addressing the issues for improvement.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

Advances have been made on all three issues, but improvement is particularly marked in the mathematics issue because standards are rising well and all pupils are making good progress, with good challenge for the higher attaining pupils. There is also a firm emphasis on problem solving and the application of mathematical knowledge. During mathematics lessons pupils are given some helpful feedback on their learning and marking in books is showing greater consistency in identifying how the work may be improved. The monitoring of teaching and learning is undertaken capably, especially in literacy and mathematics, and is helping to bring about improvement. This is shown in the improvement already evident in the provision for, and achievement in, mathematics. The newly appointed coordinator of the provision for pupils who have learning difficulties has started to conduct a useful review of the school’s work in this area. There is now a regular review

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

of the targets for pupils with learning difficulties. School development planning is now more assuredly focused on measurable targets for improvement, although this lacks some consistency. Governors are knowledgeable about the school’s performance, and overall, school self- evaluation is now more firmly anchored in evaluation of the impact of changes and improvements.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

Satisfactory progress is being made in improving the rate of attendance, and the school has adopted some good strategies to encourage parents and pupils to help ensure the school meets its target. There has been a rise in attendance during the past year and it currently stands at 94.2%, although there is a way to go to match the national average rate.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

I spent a little time checking progress on the lesser issues identified in your inspection report. From this it appears that the use of outdoor facilities for children in the Foundation Stage has improved. The outdoor work of Reception children to investigate the timing of physical activities was a good activity that linked well to the mathematics issue discussed above. Risk assessments for visits are now comprehensive and careful. Moves towards Extended School provision appear positive, and there is a growing programme of out of school activities that is popular with the pupils.

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EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN JUDGED SATISFACTORY

I hope that the school has found the visit helpful in promoting improvement.

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