OFSTED
Ofsted Summary Report
OVERALL EVALUATIONThis very good school provides a high quality of education for all its pupils. Pupils of all abilities achieve well. Under the dynamic leadership of the headteacher, the highly committed staff successfully encourage pupils to do their best. Very effective provision for personal development contributes to pupils' very positive attitudes and behaviour. Governors support the school well. It provides very good value for money.
The school's main strengths and weaknesses are:
* Very good teaching means pupils reach above average standards
* Pupils with special educational needs benefit from the very good provision in the Specialist Learning Centre and across the school
* Although achievement in mathematics is improving through the school, attainment in year 6 is not as good as in English
* Subject managers play a key role in promoting high standards
* The rich curriculum, together with an excellent range of additional activities, have a positive impact on pupils' academic and personal development
* Good links between home and school enable parents to work in partnership with teachers
Very good improvement has been made since the last inspection. Standards have improved, especially in writing where there has been particularly good progress. Assessment systems are now very good. Pupils in the specialist centre are fully integrated into the school. The good quality of teaching and learning has been improved further. Provision in information and communication technology (ICT) is now much better. Over recent years, the rise in the school?s performance has been above the national trend.
STANDARDS ACHIEVED
Overall achievement is good. When they enter the school, children's attainment is below average, particularly in language and communication. They progress well in reception but by the start of year 1 only half meet expected levels in personal development, language and mathematics and overall standards are below those expected. Good progress continues in years 1 and 2, so that, by the end of year 2, standards in reading, writing, mathematics, ICT and religious education are broadly average. Pupils do particularly well in science and reach above average standards.
Pupils in years 3 to 6 build successfully on this secure start. They achieve well, attaining above average standards in English, ICT, art and design and history. Standards in science are better than the table below indicates and are also above average. Pupils are making good progress in the subject because of improvements in provision. They meet the expected standards in music and religious education. Pupils reach average standards in mathematics and results have steadily improved but attainment is not as good as that in English. Due to timetable arrangements, it was not possible to judge overall standards in design and technology, geography or physical education.
Pupils with special educational needs make good progress. There are no significant differences in the attainment of boys and girls. The small number of pupils with English as an additional language achieve well.
Pupils have very good personal qualities, resulting from the very effective provision for their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. They respond enthusiastically to all the school offers them. They have very positive attitudes and behave very well. The level of care shown by pupils to those with special educational needs is a credit to the school?s success in promoting understanding and tolerance. Attendance levels are above average and pupils are punctual.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
The quality of education is very good. Teaching is highly effective. It is good in reception, year 1 and year 2 and very good in the older classes. Pupils rise to the high level of challenge and teachers motivate them to do their best. Teachers' depth of knowledge across the curriculum enables them to plan interesting lessons. With the support of very well trained and highly effective teaching assistants, they meet the needs of all abilities by setting work at the right level or providing extra help. Teaching for pupils in the Specialist Learning Centre is of the same quality and enables them to study all aspects of the curriculum and, for the most part, to learn alongside their classmates. The very good curriculum, together with an excellent range of enrichment activities are
major factors in pupils' learning and achievement. There is a good partnership with parents and pupils are cared for well.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Leadership and management are very good overall. The headteacher provides very good
leadership and is very well supported by senior staff. Subjects are very well led and managed and there is an underlying determination to provide a high quality education where pupils can thrive. The special needs coordinator plays a pivotal role in supporting the school's aim to be as inclusive as possible. Governance is good. Governors support the school well and all statutory requirements are met.
PARENTS' AND PUPILS' VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL
The vast majority of parents are very satisfied with the school. A few parents expressed concern about bullying or harassment but there was no evidence of this during the inspection. The school's records show that the very few cases reported to the headteacher over recent years have been dealt with appropriately. Some parents felt they were not well enough informed about how their children were doing. The inspection found that good arrangements are made to keep parents up to date with their child?s progress and that the school is very willing to respond to their enquiries.
Pupils are highly enthusiastic and make a very good contribution to school life. They like the fact that teachers listen to their ideas and the friendly atmosphere.
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
The most important thing the school needs to do to improve is to continue its drive to bring attainment in mathematics in line with that in English. Back to top
Ofsted Inspection Findings
STANDARDS ACHIEVED BY PUPILSStandards achieved in areas of learning and subjects
Pupils achieve well and reach good standards in a range of subjects.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*The rise in standards over recent years has been above the national trend
*Whatever their starting point, pupils make good progress
Pupils' attitudes, values and other personal qualities
Pupils' attitudes and behaviour are very good overall, and so is the provision for their personaldevelopment. Attendance and punctuality are also very good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*Pupils are very accepting of one another, whatever their needs
*The school nurtures the development of all its pupils as individuals
*Pupils with special educational needs are valued by staff and pupils alike and thrive as a result
*Attendance is well above that of other primary schools
QUALITY OF EDUCATION PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL
The quality of education is very good.
Teaching and learning
Teaching, learning and assessment are all very good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*Teachers have considerable expertise in providing challenging work for pupils of all abilities
*Pupils' learning is reinforced using a wide range of effective strategies
*Teaching assistants provide support for pupils, especially those with special educational needs, that is very good indeed
Summary of teaching observed during the inspection in 33 lessons
Excellent 2 (6%)
Very good 18 (54%)
Good 13 (40%)
Satisfactory 0
Unsatisfactory 0
Poor Very 0
Poor 0
The curriculum
The curriculum is very good and opportunities for enrichment are excellent. Accommodation and resources are good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*Activities outside lessons are outstanding
*Links across the curriculum are very strong
*Pupils' individual needs are very well met
*Good provision for personal, social and health education (PSHE) supports children well.
Care, guidance and support
The attention given to pupils' care, welfare, health and safety is good. Support, advice and
guidance based on monitoring are also good. Involvement of pupils is very good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*The school council gives pupils a voice at the highest level
*Staff focus on meeting pupils? needs and keeping them safe
*Pupils with special educational needs receive personal care and support of the highest quality.
Partnership with parents, other schools and the community
Partnership with parents, other schools and the community are all good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*The school works hard to inform and involve parents
*Links with other schools and the community add to pupils? education
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Leadership of the headteacher and key staff is very good. Management of the school is very good. Governance is good.
Main strengths and weaknesses
*The headteacher provides very good leadership and has a very strong sense of purpose which influences and motivates all staff
*Key personnel strive for continuous improvement and the creation of a very effective climate for learning in which all pupils succeed
*The leadership and management of special educational needs are of very high quality
*The governors have a good grasp of the school?s strengths and weaknesses which enables them to play an effective role in shaping the direction of the school
*Financial management is strong and it makes a significant contribution to the success the school has in achieving its aim to be as inclusive as possible Back to top