Shaw-cum-Donnington School reacts to recent Ofsted inspection
Shaw-cum-Donnington School still 'requires improvement' after its latest Ofsted inspection.
Ofsted informed the school it requires improvement in October, maintaining the same rating after its last full inspection in January 2019.
While general pupil behaviour, personal development and early years provision were commended, inspectors marked the school down on the quality of its education and leadership and management.
The inspectors' report noted: "Safeguarding record-keeping is not rigorous enough, and not all staff follow the school's procedures when recording concerns.
"Learning is not always checked well enough to ensure pupils have learned the intended knowledge. Teachers need to carefully use assessment to find out what pupils do and do not know, so that lessons can be adapted when needed.
"For some pupils who have fallen behind in reading, books are not matched to sounds they are currently learning. This means they do not catch up quickly enough. Leaders need to ensure that books are carefully matched and that all adults have the training and expertise they need to give pupils the required support."
Headteacher Vicky Murray responded, saying: "We are very disappointed in this result."
But she added: "Despite the overall rating, there were many positives recognised in the report. Since our last inspection, we have worked to offer a well-designed and ambitious curriculum mapping out the skills and knowledge we want our children to learn.
"To ensure our children make the most of this ambitious curriculum, our next step is to review our assessment procedures so we can consistently check on the children's learning.
"Reading remains a high focus for us.
"We have recently moved to a new phonics scheme and the inspectors saw this in its early days.
"We are pleased the report recognises that our children enjoy reading and that we have a well-stocked library at the heart of school.
"Despite the statements made regarding reading needing improvement, our Key Stage 1 data for phonics is higher than national and our Key Stage 2 reading data is in line with national figures. However, we are already working on the suggestions made.
"We are pleased the inspectors recognised the improvements we have made in maths teaching and this is a journey we will continue.
"We do have some recommendations relating to minor weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements, namely using a paper-based recording system rather than a computerised system.
"As a small school, we have always been able to manage our system effectively and the inspectors were positive that arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
"We have already purchased a new online system and have training in place to ensure all staff can follow the procedures.
"Our school community includes a higher than average number of children with additional educational needs.
"The inspectors were very positive about the support we have in place, noting the inclusive nature of school life and the tolerance children have for one another.
"Please be assured that we are working hard to address the areas needing improvement and look forward to the continued support and commitment from our whole school community."
