FAQ with reference to Ofsted Inspection 2009.

What is a ‘Limiting Judgement’?

A ‘Limiting Judgement’ means that, no matter how good other aspects of our work are, the overall assessment is dictated by that judgement. That is why we have received a Notice to Improve – purely for our safeguarding arrangements.

What does ‘Safeguarding’ actually mean?

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It includes many other aspects which our school takes very seriously and which we do well.  Examples include:

·         first aid (all staff have completed basic first aid training last August);

·         Health and Safety;

·         meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions;

·         Internet safety; and

·         behaviour, to name but a few.

Some issues were identified in respect to access to the external classrooms, record keeping and the frequency of our safeguarding training. These led to the ‘Notice to Improve’. Even though we were judged good in many categories, including our Early Years provision, the nature of a ‘Limiting Judgement’ means that we were automatically downgraded.  Where a school is judged to be inadequate in relation to the quality of the school’s procedures for safeguarding, the school’s overall effectiveness is also likely to be judged inadequate.

Is the school in ‘Special Measures’?

No – the Ofsted team clearly believed that we had the capacity to improve our school and that the issues around safeguarding were the only reason for our notice to improve.

When will the next Ofsted inspection be?

Schools with a ‘Notice to Improve’ will usually be re-inspected between 12 and 16 months after the original inspection. In the meantime, we will be subjected to a monitoring inspection. The first monitoring visit will usually take place after 6-8 months following the date of the inspection, although if safeguarding was an issue then this monitoring visit may take place between 0-8 months following the date of the inspection. At the end of the monitoring inspection, judgement will be made on the progress the school has made towards areas identified in the original inspection and a letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

What actions are the school taking to address the Ofsted outcome?

A specific action plan in relation to Ofsted outcomes is not a requirement, but we have created an action plan in conjunction with the Local Authority that prioritises the areas needed to remove the school from the notice to improve. These areas for improvement had, in some cases, been identified through our own analysis and formed part of our current School Development Plan. We remain fully focussed on improving pupils’ achievement and have a clear vision of how to improve quality at Park View School.

In which areas did the school perform well in the Ofsted inspection?

We were very pleased with many aspects of the report that recognised the good work and significant improvements that have taken place since the last inspection including:

•         Improvement in pupil’s behaviour: “good and in lessons, on many occasions, behaviour is outstanding”

•         Pupils’ attainment and progress are improving

•         Good and steadily improving outcomes and progress in Early Years Foundation Stage

•         Good progress made by pupils with Special Educational Needs

•         The adoption of a healthy lifestyle by our children

•         The contribution made by pupils to school and the wider community

and…

•         That many of our children enjoy coming to school!

How can parents help?

By continuing to support our efforts to implement the new security measures now required.  We will let you know what is happening through Open Days, our school website, Ofsted monitoring reports and Governors’ reports to parents. If at any time you wish to discuss any of these issues please do not hesitate to contact school.