Welcome and Agenda Wendy Meldrum Chair of Governing Board Bedmond Village Primary and Nursery School Ofsted Parents’ Meeting 3rd November 2016

Agenda Welcome and introductions Wendy Meldrum Chair of Governing Board Context & Background Patrick McAteer Strategic Lead – Primary Achievement Summary of Inspection Lynne Wilson-Leary Senior Adviser Governing Board’s response Wendy Meldrum The Way Forward Patrick McAteer Key Issues and HfL support Lynne Wilson-Leary Opportunity for questions All

Context Patrick McAteer Strategic Lead - Primary Achievement Herts for Learning (HfL)

Context and Background The school was inspected by Ofsted in November 2012 at which time it was judged as Requires Improvement (RI) RI schools are re-inspected by Ofsted after approximately two years At its re-inspection in July 2014, the school was again judged RI. Ofsted therefore returned approximately two years later in September 2016

Context & Background cont Under the current Ofsted inspection framework, any school that has had two consecutive RI judgements will be placed in Special Measures if it is not at least Good at its re-inspection Special Measures due to the pace of improvement Herts for Learning (HfL) has provided extensive support and will continue to do so

Summary of the September 2016 Inspection Outcomes Lynne Wilson-Leary Senior Adviser (HfL)

What the School Does Well Good teaching in the early years means that the children make good progress Pupils’ personal development and welfare are good Pupils enjoy school, take responsibility keenly, and feel safe The headteacher and her staff care well for pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds. They ensure that there is a happy atmosphere in school.

What the School Does Well Leaders ensure that there is regular staff training on safeguarding. There are robust procedures to respond to and resolve any concerns about pupils’ welfare. The school works well with external agencies, parents and members of the local community to ensure that pupils are kept safe. Pupils are supported well. An ethos of care and consideration for others means that most pupils learn well together, sharing resources and ideas. Pupils from different backgrounds play and work together happily.

What the School Does Well Pupils are proud of their school and take care to present their work neatly. They know right from wrong. Pupils keenly take on responsibilities, such as being play leaders The pupil premium is used well to provide support such as counselling to help pupils who may be facing difficult issues at home or at school. Some aspects of outcomes for pupils are good Inspectors saw examples of good teaching

Early Years Provision Early years provision has improved since the previous inspection. From their sometimes low starting points, children are now making good progress. For the last three years, the proportion of children reaching a good level of development has risen rapidly from a very low base. The quality of teaching is typically good and takes good account of the differing needs of Nursery and Reception age children in the class.

Priorities for Improvement Improve leadership by the headteacher, other school leaders and the governing body and build the school’s capacity to improve Improve pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching in key stages 1 and 2, Improve pupils’ behaviour in lessons by ensuring that they understand the importance of being attentive and listening when the teacher or their classmates are talking Improve pupils’ attendance

Chair of Governing Board Governors’ Response Wendy Meldrum Chair of Governing Board

Governors’ Response Governors are pleased that the inspectors recognised the many positive aspects of the school’s work Governors are keenly aware of the significance of the outcome for the school Governors are committed to securing the necessary improvements across the school Governors are working closely with school leaders and HfL and have already begun work on a focused plan of action to secure the necessary improvements

Governors’ response cont. Governors are committed to working with all stakeholders and to keeping parents fully informed about the school’s progress The plan of action will be shared with parents via the school website The governing board will report to parents on progress against the plan at least termly The governing board will monitor rigorously the work of the school and will hold school leaders to account

The Way Forward Patrick McAteer

The Way Forward It is now a DFE requirement for all Local Authority (LA) maintained schools that go into Special Measures to become a sponsored academy HfL, on behalf of the LA, is working with the Regional Schools Commission (RSC) to identify a suitable academy sponsor – this will be a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) Until the school becomes a sponsored academy, HfL will provide robust challenge and support so that improvements start straight away

The Way Forward HfL, HCC, staff and governors are all committed to rapidly improving the quality of education at Bedmond Village Primary and Nursery School and to sustaining the best possible education for all pupils here now and those who attend the school in the future.

Key Issues, HfL Support and Monitoring Lynne Wilson-Leary

Leadership and Management Improve leadership by the headteacher, other school leaders and the governing body and build the school’s capacity to improve by: establishing rigorous systems ensuring that leaders, including the governing body, provide the right level of support and challenge monitoring the effectiveness of initiatives– working with other agencies to overcome staff retention and recruitment issues ensuring that disadvantaged pupils, especially the most able, are supported to fulfil their potential.

Quality of Teaching Improve pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching in key stages 1 and 2, by: ensuring that teachers’ expectations of pupils are consistently high and that they give pupils work that is not too hard or too easy using teaching assistants more effectively to support pupils’ learning, ensuring teachers demand enough of pupils in science, history and geography

Behaviour & Attendance Improve pupils’ behaviour in lessons by ensuring that they understand the importance of being attentive and listening when the teacher or their classmates are talking. Improve pupils’ attendance by developing the work with parents and pupils to ensure that they understand the importance of attending school every day

What Happens Next? HfL, on behalf of HCC, will submit a statement of action (SoA) to Ofsted outlining how the LA will facilitate the sponsored academisation process and also how it intends to support the school whilst is remains LA controlled The SoA will be submitted no later than 10 days after publication of the report. It will be available on the school website once it has been agreed by Ofsted. Further HfL action began immediately after the inspection and will continue at least until the school is sponsored and becomes an academy

HfL Support and Monitoring An enhanced and rigorous programme of: Support for the headteacher and all staff through a planned programme of professional development and support from a Local Leader of Education (LLE) Regular monitoring, challenge, support and, where necessary, intervention from the Senior Adviser Visits by Herts for Learning subject and other specialist advisers; leading teacher support; brokered visits to other schools to observe and learn from good practice etc

HfL Support and Monitoring Monitoring directly and indirectly the quality of teaching and other aspects of the plan where indicated, at least every two/three weeks initially Advising on setting targets to improve teaching and pupils’ progress Leading school-based INSET and support and providing access to other training for teaching and support staff Supporting the school leaders to evaluate quality of teaching and pupils’ progress in the school Evaluating the school’s progress and adjusting support if necessary

HfL Support and monitoring cont. Providing governance support, including a review of its effectiveness to identify and effect improvements so that the Governing Board is well-placed to fulfil its duties Underwriting additional expenditure to support staff training and development and the costs of the improvement Advising, as necessary, on the appointment of new staff Monitoring all aspects of the plan and reporting to the the Director, HMI and the RSC

Monitoring Progress For schools placed in Special Measures that have yet to become a sponsored academy, there is likely to be a visit by HMI to monitor progress approximately half a term after publication of the inspection report. HMI will report in the form of a letter following the visit. That report will be shared with parents and a parents’ meeting will be held HMI is likely to continue to monitor the progress of the school until it is sponsored as an academy

Coffee

Questions

Thank you all for your support and for coming to this meeting