To consider an update on the school.

Navroop Mehat updated the Forum on progress made at All Saints. A visit had recently been made by an individual who was interested in working at the school, she was really impressed by the value staff placed on the curriculum. Navroop Mehat shared data from the Year 6 SAT results, which were pleasing on the whole. The writing quality would improve as the current cohort had a number of pieces of writing to work on. A phonics consultant had been brought in as a concern had been the number of children who required phonics in Year 2 and Year 3. There was no longer a phonics need in the school, all children who required phonics support after Year 3 were pupils that were new to the school. Behaviour remained good and it was a shame that there had been a slight drop in numbers due to the ‘inadequate’ rating. Navroop Mehat appealed for help promoting the school, particularly as significant improvements and progress had been made.

The Chairman asked about staff morale and the reaction from them to the changes that had been made to improve the school.

Navroop Mehat said that staff were on board with the journey, they were all committed to changing the school for the better. The school needed to find someone permanent to take the school forward, it was important that whoever was appointed understood that stability was key.

Clive Haines said that work was being done closely with the chosen sponsor of the school to ensure that the rapid improvement continued.

Councillor Del Campo thanked Navroop Mehat for all her work and wished the school all the best for the Ofsted inspection.

Councillor Baldwin said that he regularly spoke to parents of children at All Saints, they also had positive things to say about the leadership and the changes which had come in. He thanked Navroop Mehat and all her staff for their work.

Councillor Bhangra said that he had attended All Saints when he was young, therefore the school was personally important to him. He was pleased to see the excellent progress which had been made. Councillor Bhangra asked what the school needed to do to ensure that it continued to improve.

Navroop Mehat said that long term there was a plan in place and that the school needed to meet the targets which had been set by Ofsted. A good curriculum was in place and middle leaders had been developed. After the first year, the new head would be able to work on specific skills from the same plan. Ofsted could direct different things so the priorities could change. The strategic board worked closely with the school and they were very aware of what was going on.

Councillor Hunt asked how many SEN children attended All Saints.

Navroop Mehat said that there were around 15 children across the school, this had been highlighted as part of the Ofsted report that improvements to support for SEN children could be made.

The Chairman said that it was important that improvements were seen and it was great to see the progress made and the positive comments that so many people had about the school. All Saints deserved to get back to where it had been.