Ofsted inspection - June 2018
Dear Parents and Carers,
As you will be aware, Ofsted inspected the school on the 12-13th June 2018. They have now published their report which I have attached for your information. This letter outlines the important messages from that report which will form the basis of the school improvement plan and strategic direction.
We are pleased that Ofsted have recognised that:
pupils feel safe and are kept safe by a strong safeguarding culture where staff take robust action to protect the children
the school’s work to promote pupil’s personal development and welfare is good, pupils are proud of their school, enjoy coming to school and demonstrate respect and care for each other
our early years provision (Year R) is good, adults take good care of the children, the children enjoy learning and make good progress.
It is also clear from the report that a significant number of improvements have been made since the end of January 2018 when Miss Wood joined the school including:
more children making more progress than they were and catching up to where they should be
pupils are now being taught phonics well across early years, key stage 1 and are making rapid progress
the staff are more positive about the school leadership and the support they are getting, which was not the case before.
However, with an overall judgement of Requires Improvement, the school needs to continue to develop in a number of areas. We need to continue to drive the improvements already put in place and embed them so that they are consistent across the school. For example, ensuring that:
teaching is effective everywhere across the school
the most able pupils are always challenged to deepen their understanding
consistent high standards of behaviour are upheld throughout the school
the teaching of our disadvantaged and Special Educational Needs children is consistently good.
Governors have been and will continue to work closely with the school to achieve the high standards and consistency of approach we expect to see and the children deserve. I know that the staff are committed to this journey too.
I must also take this opportunity to share some news with regards to Miss Wood. Unfortunately I need to inform you that she has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently awaiting surgery and will then have further treatment. I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best, and we will be keeping her in our thoughts in the weeks ahead.
I understand that as parents and carers, you are as keen as we are to secure continuity of leadership for the school. To that end I can confirm that:
this week the Governors begin the recruitment process for a new permanent headteacher. We expect to be in a position to interview and offer the post to the successful candidate in the Autumn term with a view to them starting at the start of the Spring or Summer term
we are now working with Hampshire to find a suitable acting head to lead the school until Miss Wood is able to return, or the new headteacher is able to start. I will update you as soon as I have these arrangements confirmed.
We know from the parent survey that many of you care deeply about the school, and that your children are happy and enjoying their time here. Stanmore Primary School has always been a community with a fighting spirit and a strong commitment to achieving more for our children. As a governing body we are firmly committed to ensuring that improvements are made where they need to be and you can help us, as always, by supporting our teachers and their efforts to achieve high standards consistently for all pupils.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this letter or the parent survey then please join us at a meeting at either 9:00am, 2:30pm or 6:00pm on Thursday 5th July 2018 at the school. These sessions are open to all parents and carers. Please sign in at the school office in time for your chosen session and you will be shown to the meeting room. I look forward to seeing and speaking to as many of you as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Lindsay
Chair of Governors