Setting

Ms P Young Acting Headteacher Kingsbury Green Primary School Old Kenton Lane Kingsbury LONDON NW9 9ND

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Modern languages

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff and pupils, during my visit on 21 September to look at work in modern languages.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Modern languages

As outlined in my initial letter, as well as looking at key areas of the subject, the visit had a particular focus on implementing languages entitlement.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Modern languages

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions, but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text. All feedback letters will be published on the Ofsted website at the end of each half-term.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Modern languages

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: interviews with staff and pupils, scrutiny of relevant documentation and observation of independent pupils work using modern language software and one lesson.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Modern languages

The overall effectiveness of modern languages (ML) was judged to be satisfactory.

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Achievement and standards

Achievement and standards are satisfactory considering the short length of time that pupils have learned or have been learning a modern language.

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Achievement and standards

 Progress in speaking and listening is satisfactory but it is not possible to judge either achievement or standards in reading or writing as these skills have not been taught in any extended way.  Pupils listen well and repeat accurately. Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404045 F 020 7421 6644 www.ofsted.gov.uk  Pupils’ response is positive and those higher attaining pupils who took part in the computer based learning project were able to identify how it had helped them learn.

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Quality of teaching and learning of modern languages

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory.

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Quality of teaching and learning of modern languages

 In the one lesson observed the teacher planned effectively for the development of language learning skills and provided a range of practice activities.  The technology used did not support learning in terms of the clarity of pronunciation of the more difficult words. There was insufficient use in the lesson of the target language by the teacher.

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Quality of curriculum

The quality of the curriculum is satisfactory.

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Quality of curriculum

 A range of curricular models and have been trialled and some effective use has been made of the QCA schemes of work and of the Key Stage 2 Framework in the most recent plans. There is not, however, a coherent school-wide planned programme.  Insufficient attention has been paid to how pupils will be assessed.

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Leadership and management of modern languages

The quality of leadership and management of the teacher who is coordinating modern languages is satisfactory.

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Leadership and management of modern languages

 The teacher coordinating modern languages has made an appropriate start in auditing both the teaching that has taken place in the school and the linguistic competence of the teachers. She has also identified immediate training needs.  Action planning indicates a range of good ideas but is not underpinned by a rationale for school-wide provision.

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Implementing languages entitlement

Progress towards entitlement is just satisfactory.

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Implementing languages entitlement

 The school has not yet analysed the impact of the range of modern language learning that is taking place and decided on a strategic direction for the subject.  There is a commitment to the subject and the school has the capacity to make progress in implementing entitlement.

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Inclusion

There are plans for all pupils in Key Stage 2 to be involved but it is too early to judge outcomes.

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Areas for improvement

Areas for improvement, which we discussed, included the development of a rationale for the school which has:

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Areas for improvement

 a clear curriculum plan  the identification of training needs  a strategy to ensure sustainability.

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Areas for improvement

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop modern languages in the school.

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Areas for improvement

As I explained in my previous letter, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on Ofsted’s website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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