Setting

September 2009 Page 1 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 566930 Direct F 01695 729320

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Mr Ben Harding Headteacher Parkhead Community Primary School Park Lane Winlaton Blaydon-on-Tyne Tyne and Wear NE21 6LT

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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 28 April 2010 , for the time you gave to our phone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during my visit. Please also pass on my thanks to your Chair of Governors who found time to meet with me at very short notice and also to the pupils who spent some of their lunch time telling me about their experiences.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

There have been no significant changes to your school context since the last inspection.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

As a result of the inspection on 7 and 8 May 2008, the school was asked to:

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

 raise standards and achievement in Key Stage 2  ensure that the work set in lessons is well matched to the specific needs of all pupils  ensure that monitoring is sufficiently rigorous to improve the consistency of teaching  ensure that pupils receive clear guidance so that they understand what they need to do to improve. September 2009 Page 2 Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made:

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

 good progress in making improvements and

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

 good progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Most groups of pupils are currently making good progress. Underachievement has almost been completely eradicated. This is a significant improvement since the last inspection. The current Year 6 are likely to reach standards of attainment that are broadly average as a result of the improved progress they have made from their lower than average starting points. The work seen in pupils’ books and in lessons shows that good progress is now the norm across the school. Pupils are highly positive about their school. They say that they enjoy their lessons and other opportunities a great deal. Pupils respond well to the high expectations that staff have and enjoy celebrating their successes. While the curriculum is exciting, broad and balanced, the school recognises that there is still work to do in developing cross- curricular opportunities, particularly to develop writing skills through different subjects.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Pupils now have a much clearer understanding of how to improve their work. They know their targets and have a good understanding about the next steps to take in their learning. Pupils say that they find their target booklets useful in keeping track of their learning. Teachers are more effective in explaining the purpose of lessons so pupils are very focused on the learning that is taking place. Some of the academic guidance now given to pupils is exceptionally effective, particularly in mathematics. Teachers provide good quality oral feedback so pupils know how to improve their responses in lessons and any misconceptions are addressed quickly. Most marking and feedback in pupils’ books is increasingly useful in providing guidance as to the next steps. In many classes, pupils improve their work rapidly as a result of this. However, in some lessons, the comments made in marking, particularly in writing,

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

remain rather broad and do not give pupils specific tips on how to improve their work immediately.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Leaders and governors demonstrate an ambitious commitment to school development. Systems for monitoring and evaluating school effectiveness have become highly effective. As a result of this, leaders and governors have a very clear understanding of the school’s current position. They know where it is successful and where it needs to develop further. The school improvement plan accurately identifies areas for improvement and this leads to decisive actions that continue to move the school forward. As a consequence of successful, well focused professional development, the quality of teaching continues to improve. September 2009 Page 3 I hope that you found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your school. This letter will be posted on the Ofsted website.

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