OFSTED deems overall effectiveness and observed teaching to be good
Southfield School has been judged to be “relentless” in its efforts to raise standards in writing according to a recent OFSTED report.
The recent OFSTED survey inspection at Southfield Primary School has highlighted the continued progress the school has enjoyed during the past 18 months. The Inspection which took place on 25th January had a particular focus on writing and the provision for poetry. Southfield’s overall effectiveness was judged to be good under the OFSTED criteria. All the teaching observed was judged to be good or very good.
The report which is available in full on the OFSTED website made the following points:
- Results show an upward trend at Key Stage 1. English makes a good contribution to the personal development of pupils, in particular through opportunities for collaborative learning, peer assessment and the contribution of pupils to the review of provision for writing.
- The quality of teaching and learning is good.
- Lessons are very well planned. Teachers are clear about strategies to improve standards and use these well. Lessons involve a good balance of learning in reading, writing and speaking and listening. Good differentiation and effective use of very high quality resources develop taught skills well and promote independent learning. Assessment, including precisely targeted questioning, enables all pupils to participate in learning and secures progress, particularly in writing.
- The quality of the curriculum is good.
- The English curriculum meets the needs of all pupils and takes good account of cultural diversity. Pupils are proud that their heritage is represented and that reading and writing in their home language is valued.
- The curriculum provides for progression in learning well, enabling teachers to build systematically on pupils’ previous knowledge and skills.
- A wide range of resources are used effectively and judiciously to identify and address gaps in the learning of individual pupils.
- Leadership and management are good.
- The drive to raise standards in English, and writing in particular, is relentless. A good range of very well targeted and closely monitored actions are leading to clear improvements in teaching and pupils’ progress.
- Performance data and management information are used very well to track and analyse the progress of pupils. This informs effective intervention.
Governors hold the school to account strongly through their monitoring role.
- Inclusion is good.
- The school is highly responsive and alert to the needs of individual pupils and pupil groups. Diversity is strongly celebrated and provision has a positive impact on motivation. Good support from teaching assistants promotes inclusion very well.
Chair of Governors Andrew Bickley said, “ Our Head Teacher, Charlie Morris, has been with us for just over a year. In that year he has been tireless in driving forward improvements in teaching and learning. This report demonstrates the excellent start he has made at the school and the superb response of staff and children to his initiatives. I am very proud of them all.”
Mr. Morris commented “We are thrilled that OFSTED has recognised the huge strides we are making at Southfield. In my 14 months as Head Teacher I have been impressed with the team effort and determination to put this school back on the map. There are exciting things happening here and it is a great time to be a member of our school community. We have addressed many long-standing issues around pupil attainment and our initiatives are starting to bear fruit.”
March 27, 2007
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