Setting

Mr Shaukat Hussain John Gulson Primary School George Street Coventry West Midlands CV1 4BH

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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 with Geof Timms, Additional Inspector, on Wednesday 19 May 2010 and for the information which you provided during our visit. I would also like to thank the pupils who took time to meet with us and the School Improvement Partner who met with me.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Since the previous inspection, there have been a number of changes in the staffing situation. A new phase leader took up post in Key Stage 2 in April 2010. A Year 4 teacher returned from maternity leave after Easter 2010. A member of staff has had periods of absence since November 2009 and is currently on a long term absence. A teacher for the ‘Every Child a Reader’ initiative joined the school in September 2009 and also teaches in the Reception class. Another teacher joined the school in September 2009 to teach Year 2. The Early Years Foundation Stage has been led by two teachers on a job share since September 2009. A new site service officer joined the school in August 2009.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

As a result of the inspection on 4–5 June 2008, the school was asked to:

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

 accelerate pupil's progress in reading, writing and mathematics  raise teachers’ expectations of what their pupils can achieve and improve learning by quickening the pace of lessons  better organise the information collected on pupils’ progress and attainment and ensure this information is used more effectively to plan lessons and activities  ensure that the school’s monitoring and evaluation activities have an impact on improving pupils’ achievement and the quality of provision. Serco Inspections Boundary House 2 Wythall Green Way Middle Lane BIRMINGHAM West Midlands B47 6LW T 0300 1231231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Page 2 Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made good progress in making improvements and good progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Although attainment remains significantly below average in English and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2, rapid improvement has been brought about in the standard of writing through the use of a new writing scheme. The quality of learning and the progress made by pupils is good in writing and satisfactory in reading. In 2009, by the end of Key Stage 2, pupils had made good progress in mathematics. Current data from the school demonstrates its success in narrowing the gap in standards between reading and writing over this academic year.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

A more defined and rigorous programme of monitoring and evaluation has been put into place since the previous inspection. School leaders have focused decisively on strengthening the quality of teaching in lessons in order to increase pupils’ progress. Currently, teaching is too variable in quality throughout school. Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve in lessons are inconsistent. In some lessons pupils learn at a fast pace and progress well but this is not the case in all lessons. The school has developed a very well organised and comprehensive pupil tracking system which teachers use to plan lessons. The school has made significant improvements in the use of data for tracking pupils’ progress so that all teachers are regularly held to account for the performance of pupils in their class .

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The school is well supported by the local authority in working towards agreed improvement priorities. A review of teaching and learning was undertaken by local authority inspectors in November 2008 resulting in a number of recommendations to secure and improve the quality of teaching. The school acted promptly on these recommendations. The school has benefited from the work of numeracy and literacy consultants who have worked alongside staff to improve the quality of teaching .

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The outcomes from the previous inspection galvanised senior leaders to move forward cohesively, they now demonstrate a shared and robust responsibility for improvement. Collectively the leaders are tightly focused and taking effective action on improving the quality of learning and increasing pupils’ progress.

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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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