Willingham Primary School – Parents Update Jonathan Lewis – Chair of Governors Vyv Francis – Headteacher

Agenda Introductions Review of progress on the School Improvement Plan Key Priorities for Summer Term School Budget Staffing Class Structure for 2014/15 Governors / Parents

All children can talk about what they are learning, what they have achieved and their ‘next steps’. To build and improve the effectiveness of the leadership and management in the school. To further develop the learning environment in the Reception Classes To improve the quality of teaching and learning throughout the school. Improvement Plan Priorities

Improving Quality of Teaching and Learning Focus areas Improvement in the quality of teaching and learning across the school Improvement in the rate at which children make progress in their learning Key successes Strong systems are in place to support rapid improvements in teaching and learning.(e.g., lesson observations, work scrutiny, planning scrutiny, Pupil Progress meetings, Local Authority monitoring visits, external moderation, governor visits) Ongoing training for all staff to support pupil progress. Teaching Assistants now trained in delivering a wide range of highly regarded programmes to support children in their literacy and numeracy skills. End of Key Stage Two SATs Testing arrangements. Restructured staffing and governing body roles and structures to support improved progress and learning. Reception Class outdoor environment. Mid-year reports with clear ‘next steps’. More regularly reviewed Individual Educational Plans – now half termly Improved levels of attendance

Leadership and Management Focus areas To further develop a culture of high aspiration for all pupils. To improve the quality of teaching and learning across the school. To develop a rich, broad and exciting New Curriculum for 2014/15 to further raise standards and to support the development of the whole child. To recruit strong and effective staff with a range of relevant experience and skills. To monitor and review class structures to ensure that high quality learning takes place for all children. Key successes Strong monitoring and evaluating systems are in place to support rapid improvements in teaching and learning. End of Year Expectations in basic literacy and numeracy skills are shared with parents and children. All children have regularly reviewed, individual targets for literacy and numeracy to support their progress. Staff training and teaching resources are focused on raising standards and improving the quality of learning for all. Ongoing training is taking place to prepare staff to teach the New Curriculum.

Developing the School as a Learning Community Focus areas To ensure that pupil targets in literacy and mathematics are consistently used throughout the school To ensure that the Marking and Feedback Policy improves pupil understanding of their achievements and the next steps in learning To review Homework Policy to ensure appropriate homework is set, increasing parental confidence in supporting their child’s learning. Key successes Ongoing monitoring of children’s targets takes place to ensure they are consistently used and to assess their impact on learning. Regular work scrutiny and discussions with pupils and staff take place, to measure the impact of the school’s new Marking and Feedback policy on learning. Homework relates specifically to what has been taught in literacy and maths lessons each week. Literacy and maths homework are now set weekly. The Marking and Feedback policy has been updated to standardise the quality of marking. The policy sets clear expectations for teachers, to improve pupils’ understanding of their achievements and their ‘next steps’.

Developing the EYFS Focus areas To further develop the learning environment in the Reception Classes so that a greater percentage than the national average of children move into the next class with a ‘good level of development’. Key successes Outdoor environment has improved significantly to support the children’s independent learning. Recent recruitment of a very experienced Reception staff. Support from the Local Authority to ensure that we sustain this rapid improvement.

Key Priorities – Summer Term Priorities from last term continued: Improving the quality of teaching Effective leadership and management Ongoing training for all staff Ensuring rigour of challenge and monitoring by governing body Expecting good levels of progress each year for all pupils in developing their literacy and mathematics skills Culture of improvement, high expectations for all

School Budget Revenue budget of £1.3m, Capital budget of £10k New funding for free meals - £2.30 per meal served ‘Bums on Seats’ in October = funding + pupil premium (January) Expected intake in September of 57 – last year 46 – uneven distribution Local Authority advised 11 class structure with funding available. Commitment to retain 13 class structure but will use all resources available to school. Challenging decisions over funding those ‘added value’ elements in the school e.g. Life bus visit, Off page history, swimming pool – significant support from the WSA to continue these activities.

Pupil Numbers

Class Structure for 2014/15 Year Group (September 14)Groupings Reception2 Classes Year 12 Classes Year 22 Classes Year 3 / 43 Mixed Classes Year 52 Classes Year 62 Classes Staff Focus on raising attainment of pupils, high quality teaching and learning. Exit interviews are undertaken when staff leave. Recruitment Opportunities to bring new strengths, ideas and experience into the school. High response from a strong pool of applicants for recent recruitment. 4 experienced teachers were appointed last week for September. One vacancy still to be filled for September.

Class Structures and Teaching Class structures decided on using the best possible information – Age balance Gender balance Levels of needs Levels of attainment Behaviour challenges Pupil groupings/combinations Teaching and class structures to support best possible learning outcomes for pupils – reviewed throughout the year, responding to changes in circumstances. Removal of grouping and teaching pupils by ability for maths from Year 4 Class structures and your child’s class teacher will be shared soon after half term, along with information about the Changeover Days, where children spend time with their new class group and new class teacher.

Parental Support Parent Help in School Listening to children read and talking to them about their books Preparing and mounting children’s work for displays Laminating, photocopying, collating and preparing resources for displays and lessons Preparing and tidying resources Accompanying trips Helping run a lunchtime club Oral story-telling or reading a favourite childhood book Sharing experiences/artefacts which may be of interest to the children Parent Forum – next meeting scheduled for the 11 th June 7:30 until 8:30 WSA – continue to provide outstanding support – ‘cherry’ on the cake Governor vacancies – 2 parent governor vacancies, 1 co-opted governor and 1 Local Authority governor – information on how to join to be circulated.

Successes! Successes! Communication Development of new website Direct, continuous access to teaching staff through with the commitment that they will be responded to within 2 working days Parent Forum with assigned governor Improved Attendance Children valuing recognition and class and individual certificates. Range of Learning Support Programmes Led by trained staff Mid-Year Annual Reports Identifies and share targets with parents to help pupils make good progress with their learning within that year. To suggest additional ways parents can support their children. Creativity in the Curriculum

Successes! Plays and Music Celebrations Music Room Visits and Visitors Year Six SATs Week Arrangements/Incentives full attendance, school provided full cooked breakfast each day, opportunity for all children to socialise calmly before beginning their tests. Foundation Stage Outdoor Area Been significantly developed to encourage children to learn through play. Honeypot Pre-School Development (including 2 year olds’ sessions) After School Club relocation and further development of activities Holiday Clubs run half-termly Tuck Shop Year Six led, with a wide variety of healthy food, regularly changed. Approximately 100 covers per day.

Questions?