Ofsted boost for John O'Gaunt School

The monitoring visit was the first since the school was judged to require improvement following an inspection in September 2014.
It states: “Senior leaders and governors are taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement...this is beginning to have an impact: the gap between the achievement of disadvantaged students and their peers is starting to narrow.”
Of head teacher Sarah Brinkley, the report says: “You have sensibly re-allocated responsibilities to senior leaders. Combined with the team’s energy and determination to raise standards, this is beginning to bear fruit. Governors and the local authority reflect positively on the capacity of the new team.”
However, the report states: “Staffing issues in mathematics, combined with previously weak teaching, are continuing to have an adverse impact on students’ achievement in this subject.”
An additional maths teacher was due to be appointed, the report notes, and a lead practitioner in mathematics has been provided by West Berkshire Council, and “useful coaching work has been undertaken with middle leaders.”
The report goes on: The relatively new chair of governors (Clive Rothwell) has worked quickly and with determination to improve the work of the governing body.”
Inspector Catherine Anwar also acknowledged: “The school’s action plan covers all areas for improvement.”
Following the last full inspection in September 2014, a report singled out Mrs Brinkley, who took up the post in 2012, for her “strong and effective leadership.”
And although Ofsted concluded the school still requires improving, other positives included the fact that the curriculum is well designed, pupils feel safe at school and most enjoy learning, and achievement in a range of subjects has improved in the last year.
At a full meeting of Hungerford Town Council on Monday night, February 2, Mrs Brinkley told councillors: “We had a follow-up monotoring visit last December 18 to see if we’re doing the right things quickly enough. The good news is that we’re taking effective action. It was a good visit for us and shows we’re focusing on the right things.”
The next full inspection is due in September, although there could be further monitoring visits meanwhile.