La Mare de Carteret Validation published

MEDIA RELEASE

Embargoed until 00.01am Friday 22^nd June 2012

La Mare de Carteret Primary shows notable improvement

The recent validation report for La Mare de Carteret Primary School has highlighted the school's rising standards.

The independent inspectors found that teaching, assessment and the curriculum were all improving at La Mare de Carteret and that there was good practice on which to build.

'The notable improvement in pupils' performance reflects senior leaders' growing confidence in the use of data to track pupils' progress, their carefully chosen strategies to improve learning and the timely interventions to support pupils who are falling behind. The school has been particularly successful in improving reading, though there is still ground to make up in writing and mathematics,' notes the report.

'A strength of the school is the quality of care it provides for pupils and staff have good relationships with them. The good links with external agencies and the growing partnership with parents ensure that all pupils are well looked after, including the most vulnerable learners, many of whom have complex needs.

'Pupils develop their personal qualities soundly and they cooperate well with each other. Behaviour is good most of the time and the school has been successful in dealing with the very small minority who do not behave well.'

The main purpose of school self-evaluation and its validation is to support school improvement through celebrating what schools do well and pinpointing those aspects that need improving. The team of validators look at the school's own judgements on how they feel they are performing, observe lessons, scrutinise school documentation, talk to staff and pupils, look at pupils' work and analyse the views of parents.

The Report confirms that the school's self evaluation was a largely accurate diagnosis of its strengths and weaknesses.

'School leaders have worked effectively to improve pupils' progress and raise standards. Although inconsistencies remain, strengths are emerging, as in reading. Strong team work and a clear drive for improvement, together with the growing use of data to pinpoint any variations in progress are helping the school build for greater success.'

As the school recognises, improvement is needed in:

· writing, especially at Key Stage 2

· mathematics, particularly in problem solving and applying mathematics to practical situations, for the older pupils

· the progress of more able pupils so that larger proportions reach Level 3 in Kay Stage 1 and Level 5 in Key Stage 2

· the consistency of pupils' progress between classes and year groups

· the capacity of pupils to think and work independently through developing the skills to do so

· pupils' capacity to operate effectively in modern societies through a better understanding of multicultural environments and developing enterprising attitudes and decision-making skills

The validators recommend that the school takes the following actions to achieve these outcomes and build on the increasing amount of good practice within the school.

· Improve the consistency of teaching and assessment.

· Improve the curriculum in English and mathematics, particularly for the more able.

· Strengthen aspects of leadership and management to sustain the pace of improvement.

Headteacher, Jacqui Williams, says the validation report was the result of hard work by her dedicated staff.

'The report represents an accurate validation of the school's own self evaluation,' said Mrs Williams.

'This is very much a 'green shoots' report which has recognised the hard work and dedication of our staff in contributing to the continued improvement of our school in order to secure the best possible outcomes for each of our pupils based on their unique talents and abilities.'

A copy of the full validation report is available at www.education.gg/VSSE

Note to Editors
For further comment please contact Jacqui Williams, Headteacher, on 256521

Glossary
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)
Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6)

Level 2 -expected level of attainment at the end of Key Stage 1
Level 4 - expected level of attainment at the end of Key Stage 2

For further information about the curriculum please go to www.education.gg/KS1andKS2

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