Setting

Mrs Marian Moulton Gilnow Primary School Gilnow Gardens Bolton Greater Manchester BL1 4LG

p.1

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Thank you for the help which you and your colleagues gave when I inspected your school on 05 May 2010 and for the information which you provided for my visit .

p.1

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

As a result of the inspection on 05–06 October 2009, the school was asked to:

p.1

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 ensure, as a matter of urgency, that safeguarding requirements are fully met and that care, guidance and support is improved by: o bringing relevant policies up to date and planning regular reviews o training all staff in the necessary safeguarding procedures  raise the quality of teaching from satisfactory to good by: o using the information available from measuring pupils’ progress to finely tune the work provided  improve the quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage by: o ensuring that all children have daily access to outdoor facilities for learning and play  enhance pupils’ sense of security by: o assessing the full nature and extent of their concerns o implementing procedures designed to build self-confidence and ensuring that all pupils are fully aware of the results of their actions on themselves and others. Suite 22 West Lancashire Investment Centre Maple View White Moss Business Park

p.1

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566934 Direct F 01695 729320 e-mail gtunnicliffe@cfbt.com Page 2 Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school is making good progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising pupils’ achievement.

p.1

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Outcomes for pupils have improved. Better examination results, provisional at the time of the last inspection, have been confirmed. This improvement was strengthened further in the lessons and pupils’ work seen during the visit. The progress made between Key Stages 1 and 2 rose to significantly above expectation in 2009, although progress is not yet even throughout all year groups. Pastoral care has been strengthened, leading to improved enjoyment among pupils, including those who start school with weak English. Leaders have managed this improvement well and secured the enthusiastic support of staff and pupils.

p.2

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The school has systematically reviewed safeguarding procedures and these now meet requirements. The necessary policies guide staff in promoting the health, safety and safeguarding of pupils. Staff go to some lengths to care for pupils. Procedures for child protection and recruiting adults to work with children are in order. Staff have clear duties in this and specific senior staff have designated responsibility for child protection issues. All staff have had appropriate training which shows in their skilful dealings with pupils. Governors discharge their responsibilities as required and oversee safeguarding throughout the school. Staff have consulted with pupils on how safe and secure they feel. They have worked effectively to improve the self-confidence of pupils, not least through better teaching which enables pupils to succeed. Pupils are content with the school’s provision. They are confident that the school keeps them safe and they behave considerately towards

p.2

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

others. This is reflected in the school’s enquiries among parents and carers, and pupils.

p.2

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The school has improved procedures to assess attainment and track progress. Work is marked regularly and much marking is accompanied by comments helpful to pupils, though there is scope for more of this in some year groups. Detailed assessment data give the school a clearer idea of progress than was the case during the last inspection. Teachers now make effective use of their knowledge of pupils’ attainment to teach at levels appropriate to each pupil; teaching assistants make a significant contribution to this differentiated teaching. This improved teaching and assessment supports stronger progress, notably so in the Early Years Foundation Stage and in Years 2 and 6. Time is needed to consolidate these practices throughout the school.

p.2

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The improvement of provision for the Early Years Foundation Stage has been carefully planned and managed. Children in both the Reception and Nursery classes now have ready access to outdoor learning, more clearly planned within the improved curriculum. Teachers’ planning and assessment records, and the lessons observed, show that children respond well to this, make choices and learn with a higher degree of independence than previously. Resources have been improved; they support learning well within a range of carefully defined activities. Plans have Page 3 been drawn up to create better accommodation for children in this age range by building an extension. Funding has been secured and construction is intended to be completed by October 2010. The school needs time to develop its methods further to exploit this opportunity.

p.2

Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The local authority’s highly effective support has included: an effective statement of action; precise action planning, evaluation and oversight of progress; easing access to specialist services, for example to help with personnel issues; deploying two experienced headteachers as ‘local leaders of education’ to strengthen the school’s purpose, procedures, and staff participation in improvement; the deployment of consultants to train staff to improve performance; and providing funding and advice to decorate the building and improve accommodation for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The authority has been assisted by Greater Manchester Challenge in some of this development. The school has responded very positively to this support.

p.3

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.

p.3