Setting

Ms A Nanasi The Headteacher Sherwood Park School Streeters Lane Wallington Surrey SM6 7NP

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 25 February 2010 and for the information which you provided during my visit. Please would you also pass on my thanks to the governors for meeting with me?

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The previous headteacher retired at the end of the summer term 2009. Following a term when the school was led by the deputy headteacher, you took up post in January 2010. The deputy headteacher is due to leave the school at the end of the current term.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

As a result of the inspection on 17 June 2009, the school was asked to:

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 ensure that all of the government’s statutory requirements are met so that: - with immediate effect, the single central record of recruitment and vetting checks complies fully with the regulations - with immediate effect, the designated member of staff for child protection undertakes the required level of training - the effectiveness of the school’s promotion of community cohesion is evaluated across religious, ethnic and socio-economic strands within local, national and global contexts.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 improve teachers’ planning and use of assessments of what pupils can do in lessons by evaluating pupils’ daily or weekly progress in order to inform future lesson plans.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils’ achievement. Tribal 1-4 Portland Square BRISTOL BS2 8RR T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0845 6404045 Ofstedhelpline@ofsted.gov.uk Page 2 Pupils continue to make good progress in their learning. Progress is now particularly strong in English due to the recent improvement work the school has carried out. In classrooms visited, learners were clearly enjoying their work; they were enthusiastic, focused and attentive. There was evidence of very positive and caring relationships between pupils and staff.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Since the last inspection the school has taken a number of important steps to improve its practice in relation to child protection and safeguarding. The single central record now complies with regulations. The designated members of staff have undertaken training and there are appropriate plans in place to ensure that the school will continue to have trained staff in place when the current deputy headteacher leaves. All staff have had child protection training. A range of policies have been updated. Individual case files have been improved. Good practice working with other agencies for the benefit of vulnerable children continues. Senior staff and governors are now very clear of their ongoing duty to monitor safeguarding and the school’s compliance with regulations and an audit of current practice has been carried out. It is intended to report on safeguarding at every full governor meeting, but the content of these reports is still to be confirmed.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

It is clear from the school’s recent audit of community cohesion that it is well regarded by its local community and there are many opportunities for its young people to explore issues that are local, national and international. The school also now has a detailed knowledge of the make-up of its own community. Through its close and developing links with stakeholders, including parents, leaders and managers have a developing understanding of the needs of specific groups and activities and actions are planned to address these. A draft community cohesion policy has been prepared for consideration by governors at their meeting in March and it is intended to incorporate further actions into its school development plan that it is currently being prepared. At this stage it is not clear how the policy will be monitored and evaluated to ensure that the actions taken are having greatest impact.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Individual teachers are now more regularly recording pupils’ learning and then using these records to inform future lesson planning or future personal learning targets. It is recognised that, at this time, practice is not yet consistent throughout the school and is stronger in the core subjects. The school has plans in place to address this issue now the new headteacher has taken up post. In early March 2010, teaching will be monitored with a particular focus on assessment and it is intended to carry out a full review of curriculum in the next few months.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The local authority’s original statement of action to support the school was not fit for purpose, but the weaknesses identified have been addressed. The school has welcomed the comprehensive support and help of officers in improving its single central record and vetting procedures. Additional child protection training has been readily available to the school as well as additional finance for particular activities. The regular monitoring of the action plan by the local authority and regular contact with the School Improvement Partner/link adviser have been important factors in Page 3 supporting and ensuring ongoing progress in a period of considerable management change. The local authority recognises its continued role in the school to support and challenge the new leadership team and governors to ensure that current rates of progress are maintained.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

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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