REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND LEISURE
TO THE SOCIAL SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ON:
RECENT OFSTED INSPECTIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The report includes the shorter ‘parents’ summary for each inspection from October 2000 to
December 2001.

There are details of the actions being taken by the department included in each report.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
Anne Hillerton
0161 778 0135
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES
PLEASE CONTACT:
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
(available for public inspection)
Anne Hillerton
0161 778 0135

Inspecting Schools – OFSTED Handbook for
Inspecting Primary and Secondary Schools

Salford’s Education Development Plan
1.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.1
The committee is asked to note the contents of these reports.
Introduction
Schools are now inspected on a four to six year cycle. Almost all inspections are done by
independent teams of inspectors who are selected and trained. A few inspections are done by
Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI). The Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) runs the
process, keeps a check on quality and pays the costs.
Each inspection is led by a Registered Inspector. He/she is in charge and responsible for the
inspection. The team includes a ‘lay’ inspector who is trained to inspect schools but does not
have an educational background. All inspectors use detailed guidance which is contained in the
OfSTED Handbook. They look at:




what the pupils know, understand and can do and compare this with other schools that are
similar and to all schools across the country;
how good the teaching is and how well the school is run;
how much help the pupils get to assist their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
whether the money spent by the school is spent well.
After the inspection the summary included in the report is sent to all parents and a full report is
also published. The school and governors then have to describe in writing what they will do as a
result of the inspection in order to make improvements in areas highlighted.
A number of schools receive short inspections lasting two days. These are schools with good
results in national tests over a sustained number of years.
2
The following schools were inspected between October 2000 and December 2001
Date
January 2001
February 2001
March 2001
March 2001
March 2001
March 2001
May 2001
May 2001
May 2001
June 2001
June 2001
June 2001
July 2001
October 2001
October 2000
November 2000
November 2000
November 2000
Schools
SS Peter and John RC Primary School
St Paul’s Peel CE Primary School
St Peters CE Primary School
St Gilbert's RC Primary School
Monton Green Primary School
Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School
North Grecian Street Primary School
Irlam and Cadishead Community High School
St Paul’s CE (Neville Road) Primary School
Westwood Park Community Primary School
Tootal Drive Primary School
St Mary’s RC Primary School, Eccles
Clarendon Road Primary School
Boothstown Methodist Primary School
All Souls RC Primary School
North Walkden Primary School
Summerville Primary School
Walkden High School
All Hallows RC High School Lewis Street Community Primary School were also inspected but
to date the reports have not been received and will be included in a later report.
3
SS Peter and John RC Primary School
January 2001
The inspection found: ‘Although pupils are provided with a caring and safe environment the
school does not provide an acceptable level of education for all its pupils. Despite making good
progress in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 in English, mathematics and science, progress
in Key Stage 2 is poor and the majority of pupils do not reach the standards of which they are
capable’. The school was placed in special measures.
It is relevant to note that during the inspection staffing in Key Stage 2 included two supply
teachers and one member of staff who had returned to the school one week before the inspection.
The school and LEA have provided OfSTED with action plans to ensure the school is removed
from special measures within two years (February 2003).
The LEA has designated a Project Officer to lead and coordinate support for the school. The
school is receiving intensive support in English and mathematics and Specialist InspectorAdvisers are providing support in science and ICT. The Senior Management Team in the school
now has two new members. Standards Funds have been allocated to support the school’s
development. The Diocese is also providing support for governors in monitoring progress. Two
visits from HMI since the inspection have found satisfactory progress made. The school is part
of the All Hallows EAZ.
St Paul’s Peel CE Primary School
February 2001
The inspection found: ‘The overall effectiveness of the school is very good. Standards are above
average for pupils currently aged eleven in English, mathematics and science.’ The school was
considered to have made very good progress since the previous inspection.
The LEA Inspector–Adviser (ICT) and Consultant are providing support to raise standards in
that subject.
St Peters CE Primary School
March 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school where the many significant strengths outweigh the
areas identified for improvement. Teaching is of a high standard and pupils aged eleven achieve
results in English, mathematics and science that are well above average when compared to
similar schools.’ The school was considered to have made good progress since the previous
inspection.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector-Adviser, the Specialist Inspector-Adviser (Personal,
Social and Pastoral Education) and Governor Services.
4
St Gilbert's RC Primary School
March 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school. It is effective because staff, pupils and parents
enthusiastically contribute to the life of the school. Pupils are well taught and achieve good
standards in English and mathematics’. The school was considered to have made good progress
since the previous inspection.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector–Adviser, Specialist Inspector–Advisers and
Consultants in English, science and early years.
Monton Green Primary School
March 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a very good school with strong and effective leadership. They
(pupils) achieve very well and obtain high standards in English, mathematics and science.’ The
school was considered to have made very good progress since the previous inspection.
The school has been supported by the Inspector-Adviser (Early Years) in drawing up and
implementing a plan to improve the outdoor play provision.
Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School
March 2001
The inspection found: ‘Fiddlers Lane is effective in providing a good education for its pupils.
Teaching is good throughout the school and enables pupils to achieve better standards than those
in similar schools. The school continues to give good value for money’. The school was found
to have made good improvement since previous inspection.
The LEA General Inspector-Adviser will monitor implementation of the OfSTED Action Plan
and provide general support. The Specialist Inspector-Advisers for Teaching and Learning,
SEN, science and mathematics will also provide support.
North Grecian Street Primary School
May 2001
The inspection found: ‘It is a school with more strengths than weaknesses. Pupils grow to be
friendly, well behaved children.’ Weaknesses were found in standards, management and in the
Foundation Stage. The school was considered to have made satisfactory (although mixed)
progress since the previous inspection.
The school’s General Inspector-Advisor will monitor implementation of the post OfSTED
Action Plan. The school is receiving additional support in literacy, mathematics and the
Foundation Stage to address the key issues. A link with a Beacon School has been established to
further develop management.
5
Irlam and Cadishead Community High School
May 2001
The inspection found: ‘The school is effective in providing for the welfare and personal
development of its pupils. Standards of work are below average but pupils achieve satisfactorily
from their starting points. The school provides satisfactory value for money.’ The school was
considered to have made satisfactory improvement since the previous inspection.
Particular strengths are identified in English at Key Stage 3, teaching in English and science, the
concern shown for the welfare of pupils and contacts with the community.
The LEA, through the work of the school’s General Inspector-Adviser, will monitor the
implementation of the school’s action plan. Specialist Inspector-Advisers for mathematics and
SEN will provide further support.
St Paul’s CE (Nevile Road) Primary School
May 2001
The inspection found: ‘The school has a few good features, but, by the age of eleven, most
pupils are not achieving appropriate levels in most subjects. There are serious weaknesses in
many areas of the school’s provision.’ The areas of weakness included: standards in English,
mathematics, science, art and design, design and technology, geography, history, ICT and RE,
aspects of leadership and management, links with parents and aspects of teaching. The school
was considered to have made some improvements since the previous inspection but not enough.
The school and LEA have provided OfSTED with action plans to ensure the school improves the
serious weaknesses within one year (by May 2002). The LEA has designated a Project Officer
to lead and coordinate support for the school. A small team of Inspector-Advisers will carry out
a review at the school in December to ensure appropriate progress is being made.
Westwood Park Community Primary School
June 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school that has improved at a very good rate over the last
four years. Standards in English, mathematics and science have improved at the end of both key
stages, and pupils of all ages and abilities now make consistently good progress in these
subjects.’
The LEA will support the school in the development of its action plan through the work of the
General Inspector-Adviser and Specialist Inspector-Advisers in ICT, design and technology,
geography and music.
6
Tootal Drive Primary School
June 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school with very good features. Pupils’ overall attainment
by the time they leave the school is in line with that expected nationally. This means pupils
make very good progress in their time at the school.’ The school was considered to have made
considerable improvement since the previous inspection. The school is no longer considered to
have serious weaknesses.
The school’s General Inspector-Adviser will monitor the implementation of the Post OfSTED
Action Plan. The Inspector- Adviser (English) and Consultant are supporting the development of
the subject.
St Mary’s RC Primary School, Eccles
June 2001
The Inspection found: ‘The school has continued to improve (since its last inspection) and is
now a very good school. High standards in English, science and mathematics are achieved by
the time the pupils leave the school.’
Implementation of the school’s action plan is being supported by advice from the LEA General
Inspector-Adviser to develop an anti-racism policy and review assessment.
Clarendon Road Primary School
July 2001
The inspection found: ‘The school is happy and caring and places children at its centre. The
school makes exceptional efforts to include all children in its educational provision. The
Headteacher is a strong pastoral leader but has yet to set a clear educational direction that
embraces academic rigour with the same conviction.’ The school was considered to have made
steady progress across the board since the previous inspection.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector-Adviser and Specialist Inspector-Advisers in English,
mathematics, science and ICT. The development of leadership and management and
communication methods will be a particular focus.
Boothstown Methodist Primary School
October 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is an effective school which provides a good quality of education.
Pupils achieve well and by the time they leave school, pupils’ attainment in English,
mathematics and science is well above the national average.’ The school was considered to have
improved in many areas since the previous inspection. All the issues had been effectively
addressed as a result of the clear leadership provided by the Headteacher.
To improve further the school needs to improve the outdoor play area and the resources for
information and communication technology (ICT) and the library.
The school has plans for improvement in the areas raised. The LEA will support the school in
the development of ICT and the library.
7
All Souls RC Primary School
October 2001
The inspection found: ‘All Souls is a caring and supportive school. By the time pupils are
eleven, they achieve a standard, which matches the national average in English, mathematics,
and science, for many this represents good achievement. Currently the school provides
satisfactory value for money.’ The school was judged to have made satisfactory progress since
the previous inspection although some aspects have slowed due to the turnover of staff.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector–Adviser.
North Walkden Primary School
November 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school with many strengths, which far outweigh the
weaknesses. The school provides good value for money.’ The school was considered to have
made good progress since the previous inspection.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector–Adviser and Specialist Inspector–Advisers in English
and ICT. ICT resources have been improved considerably by National Grid for Learning
(NGfL) funding.
Summerville Primary School
November 2001
The inspection found: ‘The school does a good job in difficult circumstances. It develops good
attitudes and behaviour in its pupils, and relationships are a strength. Pupils make good progress
although results in the tests for eleven year olds are below average.’ The school was considered
to have made very good progress since the last inspection.
The school has been supported by the school’s General Inspector-Adviser and the Specialist
Inspector-Advisers for ICT, teaching and learning and mathematics. The school has established
a link with Pendleton College to develop family literacy and numeracy.
Walkden High School
November 2001
The inspection found: ‘This is a good school as pupils achieve well, their standards of work
improving from above average to well above average. The school provides good value for
money.’ The school was considered to have made satisfactory progress since the previous
inspection.
Particularly strengths are identified in standards, behaviour and personal relationships, liaison
with feeder primary schools and the use of data to identify areas for improvement.
The LEA will support the school in the development and implementation of its action plan
through the work of the General Inspector–Adviser and the Specialist Inspector–Adviser (ICT).
8