Setting

Ms A Hirst Princetown Primary School Princetown Yelverton Devon PL20 6QE

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Thank you for the help which you and your staff gave when I inspected your school on 22 September 2010 , for the time you gave to our phone discussions and for the information which you provided before and during my visit . In particular, please pass on my thanks to your Chair of Governors and members of staff who made time to meet with me during my visit and to those pupils who were eager and enthusiastic to speak with me about their school.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

As a result of the inspection on 10 June 2009, the school was asked to address the most important areas for improvement which are set out in the annex to this letter.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that at this time the school has made good progress in making improvements and good progress in demonstrating a better capacity for sustained improvement.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

You have made good progress in establishing a robust system of monitoring pupils’ progress and this is being used more effectively to set targets and accelerate their learning and overall achievement. This now provides essential information to leaders and managers about the school’s effectiveness and allows teachers to plan lessons that better provide for the needs of individual pupils. More pupils are now experiencing consistently good teaching as more effective tracking of pupils’ progress is helping to identify those capable of attaining highly as well as those who underachieve.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The school is working steadily to lift pupils’ attainment in reading, writing and mathematics. Although recent results show positive improvements, attainment remains below the national average. Considering pupils’ low, and sometimes very low, starting points, the school is helping an increasing proportion of pupils to make good and, in some cases, outstanding progress. The school continues to benefit from specialist support provided by the local authority. As a result of additional 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 training the school’s focus on speaking and listening, to strengthen pupils’ writing skills, has begun to pay off, with improvements seen especially in pupils’ reading skills and writing abilities.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

Good progress has been made in providing a well-resourced outdoor learning area for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children now enjoy regular and free access between their classroom and the outdoor learning area. The school has made good progress in successfully promoting the national and international elements of the community cohesion agenda. An audit that engaged staff and governors was successfully completed so that the school now possesses an informed and up-to-date knowledge of the needs and diversity of its community, and how it intends to develop community cohesion further. In addition, this has led to further improvements in the quality of the curriculum provision, such as the strengthened links with other local schools. The school has also improved the way that pupils make a positive contribution to the community through the introduction of recycling projects.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The school ensures all adults are appropriately trained, kept up to date in safeguarding pupils and is vigilant in the way that records are kept. Leaders have improved the way that they set performance management targets for the teaching staff. This has been aided by the use of a wider range of assessment information from lessons, samples of work and other information about pupils’ learning.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

The headteacher has demonstrated skill and determination in drawing together a cohesive team of motivated professionals to secure the necessary improvements. Training and regular communication with the headteacher allows governors, many of whom are new to their roles, to take a more informed and confident approach to setting the strategic direction of the school. As a result, the school’s effectiveness in tackling areas for improvement is convincing and evidence of its good capacity to improve further.

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Ofsted monitoring of Grade 3 schools

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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place in June 2009

 Ensure pupils make more consistent and more rapid progress in their learning, particularly in writing and for the more able.  Provide Early Years Foundation Stage children with regular free access to well- resourced outdoor learning opportunities.  Make sure school leaders and pupils are more actively engaged in developing an awareness of the diversity of cultures and communities in the United Kingdom and abroad.

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