Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Mr D Lomas Headteacher Northowram Primary School Baxter Lane Northowram Halifax West Yorkshire HX3 7EF

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Social and Health Education (PSHE)

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 10 and 11 November 2009 to look at work in PSHE.

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Social and Health Education (PSHE)

As outlined in our initial letter, as well as looking at key areas of the subject, the visit had a particular focus on learning to stay safe. The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text. All feedback letters will be published on the Ofsted website at the end of each half-term.

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Social and Health Education (PSHE)

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included discussions with pupils, governors and staff, scrutiny of relevant documentation, analysis of pupils’ work and observation, with you, of four lessons.

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Social and Health Education (PSHE)

The overall effectiveness of PSHE was judged to be satisfactory.

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Achievement in PSHE

 Pupils have a sound knowledge and understanding about alcohol and smoking, as well as an age appropriate awareness about sex and relationships.  Pupils learn how to make sensible choices, including about their personal well-being. For example, in the lesson seen on ‘cyber bullying’ the older pupils were made aware about how to use the internet safely, while in another lesson the younger pupils carried out a task on how to stay safe in their locality.  Pupils’ personal development is satisfactory, but there are too few opportunities for them to take more responsibility around the school.

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Achievement in PSHE

The quality of teaching of PSHE is satisfactory.

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Achievement in PSHE

 The four lessons seen all had several strong features. These included the quality of the relationships, pupils’ collaborative working and the use of computers.  Staff know pupils and provide well for their individual needs.  Assessment of pupils’ learning is not used as well as it might be to inform planning.  Parents and carers are not made aware of their children’s progress in all strands of the subject.

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Achievement in PSHE

The quality of the PSHE curriculum is satisfactory.

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Achievement in PSHE

 Pupils value the school’s use of visitors who provide good support in key aspects of the subject.  Pupils take pride in their work but there are no consistent systems for maintaining records so they, and others, can see their progress over time.  Provision for the social and emotional aspect of pupils’ learning is developing well in all classes.  Insufficient attention is paid to developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world of work and their financial capability.

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Achievement in PSHE

Effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE

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Achievement in PSHE

The effectiveness of leadership and management in PSHE is satisfactory

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Achievement in PSHE

 School leaders are totally committed to pupils’ well-being and safety, and this is well evidenced by the current focus on safe use of the internet and how to deal with bullies.  School leaders have introduced the social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) programme, and pupils report this is having a positive impact. Inspection findings concur.  Planning for provision in all aspects of the subject is not robust and does not ensure progression.

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Achievement in PSHE

 Pupils’ care is paramount. Pupils report they feel safe in this larger than average primary school. They know that sometimes things do not go as planned but they are sensible, and know where to turn to for help. They are interested in knowing how to best support each other.  School governors set a good example and act prudently in cases where there may be uncertainty. They have, for example, arranged to have the two ponds filled in.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, included:

 ensuring progression by mapping all strands of the subject across the school, and over time  ensuring units of work are assessed and reported so that parents know how their children are performing in all aspects of the subject .

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, included:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop PSHE in the school. As I explained in my previous letter, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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