Setting

Ms Gretl Young Headteacher Hebden Royd C of E VA Primary School Church Lane Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire HX7 6DS

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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 before and during my visit. Please also pass on my thanks to the Chair of the Governing Body and the pupils.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

As a result of the inspection on 12 and 13 October 2009, the school was asked to:

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 ensure that all procedures for the safeguarding of pupils’ welfare meet statutory requirements, that policies are up to date and reviewed systematically, and all staff receive the necessary training

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 increase pupils’ learning skills by teaching them to evaluate their own progress during lessons and encouraging them to make decisions about what they need to do next

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

 improve systems for summarising assessment data to make outcomes and progress for different groups of pupils clearer and the information easier to use.

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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 good progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the pupils’ achievement.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The school has robustly tackled the safeguarding issues which led to the notice to improve judgement; leaders are also continuing to further develop pupils’ self- assessment skills and the school’s tracking and assessment systems. CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancashire Investment Centre Maple View White Moss Business Park Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 123 1231 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566934 Direct F 01695 729320 e-mail gtunnicliffe@cfbt.com Page 2 The school’s single central record fully meets all government requirements. All adults, including teaching and support staff, and volunteers who work regularly with children, are suitably vetted, with all required checks completed. Clear and focused policies on, for example, safeguarding and child protection, safer recruitment, e- safety and behaviour are in place. Robust procedures are ensuring that all personnel and pupils have a greater awareness of safeguarding issues. For example, fire

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

evacuation procedures are now evident in all classrooms and the school has carried out two fire drills since the previous inspection. Pupils clearly understand the importance of this requirement.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Detailed risk assessments, included those related to visits, school routines and the school site are fully completed. School leaders have taken steps to deal with previous concerns regarding pupils’ safety and security in the playground. Checks on visitors to the school are thorough. All personnel have attended training in child protection; staff valued this clarification of their responsibilities. Further training including safer recruitment and internet safety, involving governors and parents respectively, has been completed. The school maintains detailed records of accidents and behaviour incidents.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The governing body is fulfilling its statutory duties with regard to safeguarding. Through further training, closer monitoring of the school’s work and improved communication procedures with parents and carers, governance has strengthened, with a sharper focus on school improvement.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Pupils continue to have a very good understanding of how to keep safe and know who they can talk to if they have any concerns. Pupils’ behaviour in classrooms and around the school continues to be good, with very positive relationships evident in lessons. The school has initiated work on promoting pupils’ ability to monitor and evaluate their own progress during lessons by reviewing lesson objectives. This work is at an early stage but was evident in classroom practice observed during the inspection. Pupils’ good attitudes to learning together with effective teaching are maintaining the level of progress evident at the previous inspection.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

School leaders have continued to develop systems to monitor and analyse pupils’ attainment and progress. These include clear information about individuals and groups of pupils, with individual targets evident. The introduction of the ‘assessing pupils’ progress’ structure is helping to further improve the school’s work in evaluating attainment and progress.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The local authority is working effectively with the school, providing suitable advice and support, particularly in relation to safeguarding, health and safety and recruitment and selection procedures. A monitoring action plan group, including local authority and school personnel, is ensuring that the school’s work in this area is accurately evaluated. Page 3 Governors and the headteacher, with the full support of staff, have worked hard to secure all required improvements in safeguarding procedures. The school is now well placed to continue its work on the further recommendations with a clear focus on raising attainment.

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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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