School Review Summary Report

Stirches Primary School

1. The review process

Stirches Primary School was reviewed by a Quality Improvement Officer and a peer reviewer in May 2006. The review programme comprised of three areas:

Self-evaluation
Pupils’ learning experiences
Strategies for raising attainment with a particular focus on gifted and able pupils and the lowest attaining 20% of pupils.

The review team used the level four illustrations from How good is our school? (HGIOS) national quality indicators as its frame of reference and made their evaluation on the basis of evidence provided by the school and their own observations.
In order to make their evaluations, the team consulted a number of school documents, including the school development plan, interviewed samples of pupils, staff and parents, and observed learning and teaching. In total, seven lessons were observed.

2. Key strengths of the school

The school demonstrated particular strengths in the following areas:

The dedication and enthusiasm of all staff
The head teacher’s collaborative approach to leadership
Robust, well understood systems, programmes and policies
The strong staff team, including all non teaching staff
The mutually respectful relationships between staff and pupils
The overall high standard of attainment in Reading and Maths
Procedures for the identification and support of pupils with learning needs

3. Main action points for the school

The school should develop and provide opportunities for:

staff to take part in peer monitoring both within the school and with same stage staff at another school;
pupils to develop independence, and responsibility for their own learning;
the development of creativity and enterprise in the curriculum; and
parents and pupils to be involved in improvement planning processes.

4. What happens now ?

The school, together with the Education Department will write an action plan to address the main points for action.