School desks:

Another Isle of Wight school judged Inadequate by Ofsted

Ofsted report this morning that following an inspection during July 2014, Haylands Primary school has been found to have serious weaknessess and has been rated Inadequate.

The report reveals the school was judged ‘Inadequate’ in the ‘Achievement of pupils’ and ‘Quality of teaching’. ‘Behaviour and safety of pupils’ and ‘Leadership and management’ both ‘Require improvement’.

Where the school has serious weaknesses

  • Pupils’ achievement and progress in reading, writing and mathematics is inadequate. Their attainment is not high enough. Too few pupils attain above average standards in writing and mathematics.
  • Pupils are not skilled in writing at length and their spelling, grammar and punctuation are weak. Pupils’ ability to use their mathematical skills confidently in different situations is underdeveloped. Pupils’ ability to understand what they read is weak.
  • The quality of teaching varies considerably across the school and is inadequate overall. There is a legacy of slow learning across different classes. The work set for the most able pupils is often too easy.
  • Teaching does not always engage pupils. When This happens pupils do not behave well. Pupils are not confident learners because advice from teachers on how to improve their work has been limited in the past. Teaching assistants do not contribute well enough to pupils’ learning when working in classes.
  • Since the previous inspection, leaders and governors have not been effective in ensuring all pupils achieve well over time. Teaching was not being checked by leaders in terms of its impact on pupils’ learning. Significant underperformance was not addressed.
  • Leaders in charge of subjects are not sufficiently involved in improving teaching in their areas of responsibility. Governors do not hold these leaders to account well enough.

Where the school has strengths

  • The interim headteacher, governors and other senior leaders have driven forward improvement quickly in recent times. As a result, the school is securely placed to improve further.
  • Rigorous, comprehensive and regular monitoring of the school’s work ensures current improvement planning is accurately targeting weaknesses, including in teaching.
  • Activities to help disabled pupils, those with special educational needs and pupils in receipt of additional funding to catch up with others, are beginning to be effective.
  • Children in Reception made good progress this year and their attainment has risen well.
  • Pupils are well cared for and feel safe in school. They enjoy learning. Attendance levels are above average.

The report
For full details see the report embedded below. Click on the full screen icon to see larger version


Image: Nelson De Witt under CC BY 2.0