Dear Parents,

            We are delighted to present you with the Summary of the OfSTED Inspection Report.  OfSTED inspected the school in the Spring term, 7^th – 10^th March, 2005.  Six years since the previous inspection, which is a long time.  The inspection went smoothly and we feel that the report accurately reflects the very good work of the school.

            By law, all parents and carers receive a copy of the summary report only.  However, we hope that you will be able to find the time to access and read the full report to get a true picture of life at Brough Primary and the quality of education it provides.  The full report can be accessed and downloaded from the OfSTED webside www.ofsted.gov.uk  If you do not have access to the Internet, a copy of the full report may be purchased from the school office for £1.00 to cover photocopying costs.

            Here are some of the highlights from the report in addition to the summary.

“The quality of education provided by the school is good.  Teaching and learning are good.  Assessment of pupils’ work is satisfactory.  The curriculum is very good.  Pupils are very well cared for and the school has established very good links with parents, within the community and with other schools.”

“Teachers create a positive learning ethos in their classrooms.  Much of the teaching and learning encourages pupils to develop a plethora of skills and understanding in interesting, stimulating, enjoyable and purposeful activities.”

• “Pupils have very good attitudes to learning and towards each other and adults.
• Behaviour is very good in lessons, around the school and in the playground.
• The very high emphasis on personal development gives pupils excellent social skills
• Pupils’ very good spiritual, moral and cultural development ensures they have very good levels of respect for others feelings, values and beliefs.”

“Pupils’ attitudes and behaviour are very good.  Their personal, spiritual, moral and cultural development is very good.  Pupils’ social development is excellent.  Their attendance is very good and their punctuality is excellent”

The ‘e’ grades awarded for results in National Curriculum tests at the end of Key Stage 2 in 2004, is the only disappointing aspect.  However, as the inspection report clearly states, this is not an accurate picture of the above average standards being achieved throughout the whole school.  These grades do not take into consideration children with special educational needs.  In 2003 and 2004, both Year 6 cohorts had 32% of the children on the SEN register.  As we are a very inclusive school we value each child and celebrate each individuals progress.  Most of the children in these cohorts performed at or above the expected level at this age and all of them achieved well for their ability.

No aspects of the school were found to be unsatisfactory.  The two areas identified for further development are already in the school improvement plan.

“Pupils with special educational needs, including those with identified behavioural problems, achieve very well against the targets set for them.  Specialist learning support staff ably support these pupils in withdrawn groups or learning and working alongside their classmates.  The very effective and sensitive support for these children makes sure they understand and join in all activities.  The two pupils who have been identified as having English as an additional language benefit from very good literacy provision and access all areas of the curriculum very well.  Gifted and talented pupils are identified in curriculum areas and receive appropriate provision in and out of  classes.  In both discussions and questionnaire returns parents report strongly that they feel their children achieve well.  Similarly, in conversations with inspectors pupils talk about having to work hard”.

“There is very good provision for curriculum enrichment through a very wide range of visits, visitors and performances.  The school makes very effective use of the interesting local area and places further away.”

“The quality of day-to-day care and concern for pupils’ well-being is a significant strength of the school.  This can be seen by the plethora of support systems in place for pupils with a wide range of learning, emotional and behavioural needs.  The school works very well with other professionals and has a very well respected multi-agency approach to ensuring pupils in need get the very best help.  The Headteacher employs very thorough recording systems to track such issues and is vigilant and persistent in seeking outside help and support for pupils who need it.  Lunch time provision to cater for pupils with identified needs typifies this approach.  Teaching Assistants are responsible for this high level of care, ably aided by volunteer ‘buddies’.  Buddies also help with support in the playground and this is systematic of the excellent support they give each other.  There are also systematic and regular procedures for checking pupils’ personal and academic achievements”.

“The school makes very good provision for pupils’ welfare, care, guidance and support.  The involvement of pupils in the work of the school is very good”.

• “Pupils feel they are cared for and supported very well in lessons and in their free time.
• The school reacts very quickly to both parental and pupils concerns and is innovative in creating support systems.
• Pupils’ views are highly regarded in classroom lessons and about the general life of the school and are acted upon”.

“The very active school council is a tribute to the way the school listens to the views of pupils and the way in which they want to be involved in the daily life of the school.  The elected representatives are adept at running and recording their own meetings.  They take a considerable pride in their school and have particularly been very active in environmental and health awareness issues.  Many pupils are involved in these and other activities and these make a positive contribution to increasing their self-esteem and helping them to become responsible and mature citizens.”

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who completed the OfSTED questionnaires, attended the parents meeting and met with individual inspectors.  I must also congratulate the children as they were highly praised in all areas of school life.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. I. Peirson

Headteacher