Setting

26th November 2008 Mrs N Little Grove Street Primary School New Ferry Wirral CH62 2BA

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 8 October to look at work on developing the future economic well-being of pupils in your school. We also looked at how well arrangements are made to support pupils during their transition into secondary school.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

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 without their consent.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: scrutiny of relevant documentation, observation of two lessons, attending a school assembly and discussions with staff and pupils.

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Ofsted survey inspection programme – Moving through the system

Overall, your work in developing the future economic well-being of pupils in your school is good. Pupils in Year 6 show a good level of self-confidence. This is demonstrated in their enthusiasm to share their interests and experiences with visitors. They have a good understanding of their role in the community and eagerly help the younger pupils. Collaboration is good and pupils work constructively with each other. They take responsibility for their own actions especially in how they behave and relate to each other. The school has achieved the Basic Skills Award and standards are rising giving pupils a secure academic foundation for the future.

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Features of effective practice:

 Pupils make good progress in their personal development. Year 6 pupils are good role models for the younger pupils. They are polite and courteous and this contributes to the friendly ethos of the school.  The teaching observed was good with opportunities utilised well to develop discussion about the pupils’ future career aspirations. This worked very well in history as pupils compared the opportunities available to them and the limited and often unpleasant jobs Victorian children carried out. Partner discussion and group work enable pupils to share their ideas. They listen attentively to others showing respect for their opinions. Lessons run smoothly and pupils behave well because they follow the school’s clear code of Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE Textphone 0161 618 8524 T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0207 421 5642 Direct F 0207 421 6746 Mark.Hogan@ofsted.gov.uk

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Features of effective practice:

conduct that guides their behaviour in school. Pupils are learning how to assess their own work and know what they have to do to improve.  The curriculum provides well for all pupils. Support for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and for vulnerable pupils is very effective. The school provides extra staff to meet the needs of these pupils who play a full part in all the school has to offer. This includes the wide and interesting range of visits and clubs that extend pupils’ horizons and provide insight into possible future careers.  The focus on the environment, especially through the eco-council, is evident in the school grounds and the selling of the produce grown at school. The pupils have a genuine understanding of their role in preserving the natural world.  Leadership and management ensure that pupils’ progress is closely tracked and action taken when pupils are seen to be losing interest or underachieving. The school’s self-

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Features of effective practice:

evaluation is accurate. The senior management team evaluates provision for pupils’ economic well-being against set criteria as well as identifying how all aspects of the school impact on the future of their pupils.  Transition is well organised to overcome the difficulties of pupils transferring to several secondary schools. Detailed records are provided informing the new school of both academic achievement and personal development. Pupils in Year 6 were looking forward to their new schools and had already had some contacts and visits for a range of activities.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

 Some teaching is too formal and opportunities are not always created for pupils to come up with their ideas and follow their own line of enquiry.  Insufficient opportunities for pupils to be involved in mini-enterprises that include responsibility for managing a budget.  Too few opportunities for visitors to meet Year 6 pupils to share information about their work and job prospects.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop economic well-being in the school.

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Areas for further improvement, which we discussed, include:

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

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