Setting

Version 1 – September 2007 10 December 2008

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Mr G Lahive Riverside Primary School Brighton Street Wallasey Merseyside CH44 6QW

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 09 December 2008, the time you gave to our phone discussions and the information which you provided before and during my visit. Please also extend my thanks to the assistant headteachers, the Foundation Stage manager, the teachers, the pupils, the vice chair of governors and the representatives of the local authority (LA) with whom I met.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Since the last inspection there have been some changes to staffing with the appointment of two new members of the teaching staff. Also, the LA appointed an additional governor to the governing body of the school.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

This letter will be posted on the Ofsted website. Please inform the Regional Inspection Service Provider of any factual inaccuracies within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

As a result of the inspection on 29 and 30 April 2008, the school was asked to do the following.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 Ensure that the strategic direction of the school is firmly rooted in accurate evaluations of pupils’ performance and resolutely focused on raising standards and achievement.  Use data analysis regularly and rigorously to establish and target priorities for improvement and enable teachers consistently to set pupils clear learning targets and focus closely on raising standards and achievement.  Raise standards and achievement in writing throughout the school.  Improve attendance.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

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 and in raising pupils’ achievement. CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancs Investment Centre Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566939 Direct F 01695 729320 glaw@ofsted.gov.uk Standards in Key Stage 1 are below average overall and progress is satisfactory. Evidence from the school’s data and pupils’ work suggests that standards in reading, writing and mathematics are improving. The school recognises that it still has some work to do to improve pupils’ performance at the higher levels. Progress in Key Stage 2 is good, especially in writing. Inspection evidence shows that standards are broadly average in mathematics and science, but below average in English. However, a greater proportion of pupils gained the expected levels in writing in the 2008

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

national tests compared to the 2007 tests. This is due to clear direction from the headteacher and senior leaders; a focus on writing throughout the school with the introduction of the Big Write; better teaching and planning of activities which more suitably match the needs of the pupils. However, the school is aware that there is still some work to be done to maintain the momentum of improvement, and raise standards and accelerate progress further.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The quality of leadership and management at the highest level has improved. The headteacher responded immediately to the findings of the last inspection and engaged positively with the local authority in analysing the issues raised in the report. The headteacher and senior leaders worked effectively as a team to prioritise action to be taken and successfully communicated this to all staff. As a result, teachers and teaching assistants have a clear understanding of their role in the development of the school and priorities for improvement. Regular monitoring of the school’s work is now in place. Pupils’ progress is assessed each half term and measured against challenging end-of-year targets. The headteacher and senior leaders evaluate the progress pupils have made, identify any underachievement and swiftly take steps to provide support. For example, two newly qualified teachers have been appointed to team teach with experienced teachers in the two classes with a

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

high proportion of pupils at risk of underachieving. Governors now have detailed information which is more accurate so they are in a better position to hold school leaders to account for any decisions taken and action implemented.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Through support and guidance from the LA, the headteacher and senior leaders increased their expertise in analysing the wide range of information the school holds on pupils’ performance. As a result, senior leaders have an accurate picture of the progress pupils are making. Updated planning sheets have led to a consistent approach in every class and enable senior leaders to monitor provision across the school. Whole-class tracking sheets allow teachers to record results of half termly assessments and check pupils’ progress. Teachers are more accountable for the progress made by individual pupils. Their planning and assessment records form the basis of discussions with the headteacher and assistant headteachers, who provide an appropriate balance of challenge, guidance and support. Through attending professional training, staff have increased their expertise and confidence, especially with the introduction of the Big Write. The impact of this training is evident in the

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

classroom, with many aids to learning on display. The reviewed marking policy is used consistently across the school and as a result pupils know the level they are working at, their targets and how to improve.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Robust systems have been introduced to monitor pupils’ attendance. There is a much higher awareness in the school of the benefits of regular attendance; individual pupils and classes are rewarded for good attendance. More rigorous strategies have been introduced to support parents to improve attendance. The headteacher monitors attendance figures daily and has started to take decisive action to halt further decline in attendance. However, significant improvement is yet to be established.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Well planned training and guidance are being provided by LA consultants and advisers to support the leadership team in bringing about the necessary improvements. The school has effectively kept parents informed of changes in the school and developments since the last inspection. Although the weaknesses found in leadership, management, writing and attendance had not been identified before the inspection, the headteacher fully accepted responsibility and resolutely took action to remedy the situation. With the renewed drive and purpose of the headteacher, together with the support from the enthusiastic staff, there is determination to move forward as a whole-school team.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your school.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Eileen M Mulgrew Her Majesty’s Inspector

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