Follow-up visit from Ofsted
On Tuesday 07 November 2017, we were inspected, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 (as amended). This was a monitoring inspection following the ‘Requires Improvement’ judgement earlier this year. The focus was around whether we are taking effective enough action to improve provision and outcomes.
Whilst monitoring inspections do not result in a new inspection report or new judgement, a follow-up letter is published.
We’re happy to tell you the inspector concluded that senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement … in order for the school to become a good school.
We’re even happier with some of the positive comments from the inspection letter:
You and your senior leaders are tackling the areas requiring improvement identified at the school’s last inspection with focus and resolve. Together with middle leaders and staff, you are a strong and increasingly cohesive and effective team.
Governors are making a stronger and more influential contribution to improving the quality of education at Scholes (Elmet) Primary School. They are working in a more organised and systematic way and are bringing a sense of energetic purpose to the way they support and challenge you and your colleagues.
I could see the impact of [monitoring and evaluating] on pupils’ learning and progress in the lessons I visited with you and your senior leaders and by looking at the work in pupils’ books. The pupils I spoke to said that they find the work they are set interesting and fun.
[The teaching and learning of Maths] is being purposefully and energetically led by a senior leader who is also a specialist leader of education in mathematics.
Your self-evaluation is detailed and comprehensive. The judgements you have made are supported by a good range of evaluative information. It gives a clear picture of the school’s effectiveness.
It is quite normal in such monitoring visits to agree some new recommendations. For us, they are:
- secure rapid improvements in teaching so that all pupils make fast progress from their different starting points in reading and mathematics in key stage 2 – We’re very aware that outcomes need to improve at the end of the key stage, and have been taking lots of steps to address this; this includes recruiting an additional Maths teacher in the mornings meaning that Maths can be taught in single age classes (see News post, 19.10.17) and closely analysing how pupils have previously performed the the statutory tests – and taking appropriate action to address areas.
- develop and implement an effective approach to identifying and tackling errors and misconceptions in pupils’ mathematical knowledge and understanding – This had already been identified as something we can improve in order to speed up pupil progress; the smaller Maths groups will help here, and the fact that teachers can have a sharper focus on a single age.
- update the school improvement plan and pupil premium strategy so that they link more closely to the priorities and actions identified in the school’s self-evaluation – This is something which we suggested so that we can continue to plan for and monitor the much wider range of improvements that are going on, such as the new homework approach and the bnew ways we invite parents and carers into school (homework reviews, Watch us while we work, sessions, Join in Mondays).
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the report, please contact Miss Hague, the Head of School.
24 November 2017
Your spellings to learn this week are words with –tial and -cial suffixes. These suffixes makes the ‘shul’ sound. Your child will be tested on Friday 01 December:
- partial
- artificial
- essential
- special
- residential
- beneficial
- substantial
- financial
- official
- commercial
Create your own rule that can be applied when adding these suffixes to root words.
We’ll also test your child on two extra words, not on this list. Encourage your child to look out for other words belonging to the list.
24 November 2017
This week’s spelling homework is to write the spellings from last week in fancy writing. You could try curly, dotty, bubble or spiky writing.
Year 1 – high frequency words
- of
- off
- there
- were
- where
Year 2 – alternative pronunciations of the grapheme ‘o’ – the long vowel sound.
- old
- cold
- gold
- hold
- told
- both
- most
- only
- also
- ago
Explorers Topic Share 17.11.17
On Friday, at the end of our Explorers topic, we had the chance to share our learning with different year groups. It was a great way to discuss learning and celebrate our achievements.
Children in Need
A huge thank you to everyone for joining in the fun fund-raising. We managed to raise £353.78 for Children in Need.
What a great achievement!
Let’s talk numbers!
This week we have been focusing on the number 5. First, we watched the Numberblocks video. Then we found 5 objects to put on our number focus table.
We then looked at building models using 5 bricks. We found that even if the model is a different shape or size, it’s still 5!
Next week, we’ll be looking at number stories using pictures.
For example, 3 sheep are on the hill and 2 sheep are in front of the barn so 5 sheep altogether. I can see one more sheep next to the rocks. Ask your child how many there are now.
10 November 2017
Use last week’s spelling lists to practise the words in the ways below.
Year 1
- wet
- went
- let
- lent
- set
- sent
Year 2
- bath
- path
- after
- past
- fast
- last
- plant
- has
- pass
- was
School Council
The newly elected School Council have been given their badges by Miss Parling (School Council leader) and are proudly wearing them. They have also taken part in their first decision as elected members. They voted on the type of fundraising the school will do for Children in Need on 17 November. It will be a non-uniform day with a suggested donation of £1.
Strictly Flex Dancing!
All year 1 and 2 classes enjoyed learning new street dance routines taught by a dance teacher from Flex Dance. We used our agility, balance and coordination skills to great effect. We then performed our routines for each other!
Tell us about your bonfire night!
Monday news next week will be all about Bonfire night. To encourage your child to share their bonfire night experiences, bring in a time to talk sheet or email us some photos/comments – scholesf2@spherefederation.org
Monday news is a great chance for your child to build their self-confidence by speaking in front of their peers. It’s also a valuable time to develop their communication and language skills.