Setting

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Mrs K Burns Headteacher Chadsmoor Community Infants and Nursery Kingsway Chadsmoor Cannock Staffordshire WS11 6EU

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Ofsted survey: Good practice in capturing the user voice

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 5 March 2009 to look at work on capturing the user voice.

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Ofsted survey: Good practice in capturing the user voice

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: Good practice in capturing the user voice

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: observations of lessons, a pupil focus group and lunchtime activities, discussions with children and staff, and scrutiny of documentation.

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Features of good practice observed

 This is a highly inclusive school in which everyone’s opinion is valued. The school’s aim is to develop pupils’ confidence so that they can contribute to decision-making and give accurate feedback on the outcomes of the specific projects for which they are responsible. This is achieved successfully with pupils of all ages.  ‘Confidence, Independence, Success’ is the motto of the school and underpins the strategic vision for the development of pupils’ voice. The strategy for pupils’ voice is an integral part of the school development plan, for example appearing in sections on outdoor provision and personal, social, and health education (PHSE) as well as being further developed in the ‘Sharing Spaces’ plan.  The school’s leadership team reviews and adapts its approach to pupils’ voice as needed, for example the school has undertaken a thorough evaluation of the impact of the pupils’ voice strategy against the Every Child Matters agenda.

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Features of good practice observed

 Pupils’ responses to lessons indicate that pupils are enjoying school, interested in their work and getting many opportunities for their voice to be heard. There is a strong emphasis on the development of speaking and listening skills and the school is fully aware of the importance of this work in improving literacy standards.  There is a wide range of action groups including the school council, the wildlife garden group, a group that is developing raised flower beds and the lunchtime ‘Smilers’ group which are focused on specific projects to help improve the school environment. These opportunities enable the pupils to take on an impressive level of responsibility.  Well-targeted support for more vulnerable children is having a positive impact on their personal development and confidence. Their views are sought as an integral part of any review process. The pupils said that they were feeling the benefits of

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Features of good practice observed

the support they received.  The use of information communication technology (ICT) is widespread across the school offering good opportunities for internet research and pupil surveys to be undertaken. The use of interactive whiteboards is involving pupils well in making choices about their learning.

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Area for development

 Provide more formal opportunities for the school council and other focus groups to feed back to governors.

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Area for development

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop the user voice in the school.

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Area for development

As I explained previously, 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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