1. Special Measures Monitoring Inspection of West Wycombe Combined School

2. Summary Judgement
Leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures
The school may appoint newly qualified teachers before the next monitoring inspection

3. Evidence
Short visits made to every classroom to look at learning – some jointly with senior leaders
Scrutiny of pupils’ work, discussions with pupils in a prearranged meeting, in lessons and around school
Discussions with parents at the school gate
Meetings held with the Interim Headteacher, leaders, members of the IEB and the education adviser from BLT
Documentary evidence including safeguarding records, policies, strategic planning, analyses of pupils’ achievements were evaluated
Documents relating to behaviour, attendance records of meetings of the IEB and visits from LA advisers were scrutinised
A telephone conversation was held with the manager of the LA Safeguarding team who has been supporting the school

4. The effectiveness of leadership & management – the strengths
Since September the Interim Headteacher and governors have acted decisively – they rapidly implemented new systems and procedures and are able to demonstrate a clear trail of effective improvements
Staff morale is improved and there is a shared sense of purpose and drive to improve standards
Outcomes are improving, particularly in Early Years and by the end of key stages 1 & 2

5. Continued… The school’s action plan has proved effective
The Deputy Headteacher has worked tirelessly to lead the development of a new curriculum
Subject leaders are ambitious and share senior leaders’ drive for school improvement
There are now appropriate arrangements for safeguarding. Pupils told the inspector they feel safe in the school and feel well looked after. Parents confirmed this view.

6. The effectiveness of leadership & management – areas for development
Address inconsistencies across year groups
There is more work to do to improve teacher subject knowledge to improve standards of learning in science and the wider curriculum
Priority needs to be given to improve the leadership of SEN

7. Quality of teaching, learning and assessment – the strengths
The strong partnership between the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher has significantly improved teaching this year
Leaders have sourced suitable training and support for teachers and teaching assistants
Leaders have established non-negotiable standards for learning and raised expectations of what pupils can and should achieve

8. Quality of teaching, learning and assessment – areas for development
More needs to be done to plan for activities that meet the needs of all learners
To continue to improve the quality of teaching
Progress of pupils is inconsistent across the school – this relates to teacher subject knowledge and feedback provided to pupils

9. Personal development, behaviour and welfare – the strengths
Pupils’ behaviour has improved significantly. They are smart, polite and conduct themselves well. Pupils told me that they recognise that behaviour is better than it was, bullying is rare and they feel that staff care for them well. In assembly they listened attentively and then the whole school confidently sang with gusto and a clear sense of pride.

10. Personal development, behaviour and welfare – areas for development
Better us of adult supervision is needed at lunchtimes and breaktimes during busy changeover periods
Some low level disruption remains in a minority of classes
Some pupils do not take enough care with the presentation of their work
The attendance of disadvantaged pupils has not improved

11. Outcomes for pupils
The progress that children make is improving but many are still working below ARE
Maths remains a whole school priority
Work is needed to catch up from a legacy of weaker teaching
Attainment and progress in reading and writing are improving in most year groups
Outcomes for children in Reception have improved this year and those reaching a GLD is in line with national figures

12. External support
The Chair and governors of the IEB are dedicated and committed to the school
They have worked hard to support and challenge the school and ensure that standards have improved during a time of considerable turbulence
The IEB has shown considerable resilience and tenacity to ensure it finds a suitable sponsor for the school