Setting

Ms Williams Roe Farm Primary School Worcester Crescent Chaddesden Derby Derbysshire DE21 4HG

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 24 March 2009, for the time you gave to our phone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during my visit Thank you too to the governors, staff and pupils who gave generously of their time.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

As a result of the inspection on 13 to14 February 2008, the school was asked to make the following improvements:  Raise achievement so that more pupils are able to reach the nationally expected standards in English, mathematics and science by the time they leave school  Build on the effective practice that already exists to improve teaching and marking so that they are consistently challenging and good across the school  Improve pupils’ information and communication technology skills by increasing their access to computers

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

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 the pupils’ achievement.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Standards have improved considerably since the last inspection. Last summer’s provisional Key Stage 2 results indicate that the proportion of pupils attaining nationally expected levels was above the average in mathematics and science. Attainment improved in English, although the school recognises this is an area where further development is needed. Standards observed during the visit demonstrate improvement with pupils showing greater competence and confidence in speaking and listening, reading, writing and numeracy. The school has very thorough Cambridge Education Demeter House Station Road Cambridge CB1 2RS T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01223 578500 Direct F 01223 578501 risp.inspections@camb-ed.com Page 2 procedures to track the progress of pupils and is unrelenting in setting ambitious targets for pupils and supporting teachers to meet them. Consequently achievement

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The vast majority of lessons promote the pupils’ ability to reason and provide them with the technical vocabulary to analyse and solve problems successfully. Teaching effectively uses questioning to help pupils explain their views and develop their skills by justifying their understanding through providing detailed answers. A predominant feature of lessons is the emphasis on the knowledge and understanding that pupils need to demonstrate to attain higher levels. Teachers have a good awareness of how well pupils are performing and what they need to do to improve. They demonstrate good subject knowledge and teaching assistants are impressively integrated into provision. Teachers confidently direct pupils to group activities promptly and in turn pupils react well to opportunities to demonstrate their ability to learn independently. The senior leadership team which had been recently appointed at the time of the last inspection has had a tangible impact on improving the quality

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

of teaching. Where teaching is weaker, teachers lack confidence in checking the pupils’ progress and tend to provide the answer themselves in order to sustain the progress of the lesson. The school is developing its processes of evaluating marking and acknowledges this could be more rigorous.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Provision for information and communication technology has improved since the last inspection. Standards are sound. All classrooms now have interactive whiteboards which are regularly used as learning tools. The school is in the process of appointing a new information and communication technology co-ordinator. The school acknowledges that at present this aspect of its work requires further development.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your school. This letter will be posted on the Ofsted website.

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