Setting

Mr David Smith The Headteacher The Winston Churchill School Woking Surrey GU21 8TL

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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 6 July 2010 and for the information which you provided during my visit. Please pass my thanks on to the chair of the governing body, the parent governor, the staff and students for taking the time to talk to me.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Since the last inspection, roles and responsibilities relating to safeguarding and safer recruitment have been made explicit. A personnel officer has been appointed with responsibility for the single central record. A senior member of the school’s leadership team has been designated to take lead responsibility for dealing with child protection issues.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

As a result of the inspection on 3 and 4 March 2010, the school was asked to:  meet the statutory requirements for safeguarding by ensuring that the governing body receives training and becomes fully aware of their statutory role  increase the proportion of good or better lessons so that students make good or outstanding progress  improve development planning at all levels by focusing sharply on the intended outcomes for different groups of students and by using measureable targets against agreed timescales.

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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.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Since the last inspection the school has taken decisive action to meet the statutory requirements for safeguarding. The single central record is complete and has been amended and modified to meet all requirements. The child protection policy has Tribal Education 1-4 Portland Square Bristol BS2 8RR T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0845 123 6001 Direct F 0845 123 6002 email :sarah.cartlidge@tribalgroup.com been reviewed and revised to set out its purpose and aims clearly and to provide a secure framework for staff, parents or carers and governors. There is a more consistent approach for dealing with child protection issues and to providing correct advice and support through a designated senior leader. All members of the senior leadership team and two members of the governing body have received up to date training on safer recruitment and a designated governor for safeguarding has been

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

identified. All staff and governors have received appropriate safeguarding training, with arrangements made for those unable to attend to receive alternative training. Governors have been made aware of their responsibilities and suitable strategies are planned to monitor and evaluate the impact of the new safeguarding policies and procedures on practice.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

During the time of the inspection, no lessons were observed because the vast majority of students were off site. Actions taken by the school to improve the quality and consistency of teaching and learning have had some success. The creation of a teaching and learning leadership team has improved communication across departments and is promoting a shared understanding of what needs to be done to improve all students’ learning. Paired observations between members of the senior leadership team and between senior and middle leaders, the introduction of learning walks and regular reviews of marking, homework and assessment are being used to identify and share good practice. Students report that all lessons have clear learning objectives and increased opportunities to use information and communication technology and the virtual learning environment are increasing their understanding and enjoyment of learning. However, the school recognises that the pace of

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

improvement needs to be accelerated. It has correctly prioritised the need to make precise assessment information available for all staff and to provide training so that all teachers can plan to meet the different learning needs of students and accurately assess their progress.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Activities, including a range of sports activities, observed during the inspection were well organised and enjoyed by students. The school’s sports specialism contributes to the excellent opportunities for students to participate in a wide range of extra- curricular activities, both within school and in local primary schools.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

The headteacher has demonstrated a commitment to involve staff, students, parents and the governing body in the process of securing improvement. He has restructured and extended the leadership team and recognises the need for senior leaders to focus on specific responsibilities that are linked to student achievement. A new format for development planning has resulted in a school development plan that is clearly focused with measureable actions and realistic time scales. A strengthened and more formal line management structure has provided middle managers with opportunities to develop their leadership skills further and increase the accountability of the staff in their departments. The creation of new governing body committees will enable better scrutiny of the school’s performance. The chair of governors and an experienced parent governor are providing clear direction to enable the governing body to present a high level of challenge and hold the school to account.

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Ofsted monitoring of schools with a notice to improve

Support from the local authority has been satisfactory in helping the school to take decisive action to meet the statutory requirements for safeguarding. The statement of action from the local authority required amendments to areas for improvement relating to improving the quality of teaching and learning. Although the school’s strategic plan has been amended to identify suitable timescales and success criteria, amended plans from the local authority to include additional interim milestones to measure progress in the short and medium term were not available during the inspection. Consultancy support to provide staff training and subject specialist training to improve teaching and learning has not been implemented quickly enough.

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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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