St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School

St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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Unique Reference Number 117432 Local Authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 358140 Inspection dates 17–18 February 2011 Reporting inspector Nick Butt

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Type of school Primary School category Voluntary aided Age range of pupils 4–11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 183 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Stuart Elsom Headteacher Susan Robinson Date of previous school inspection 6 March 2008 School address Hillside Lane Great Amwell, Ware SG12 9SE Telephone number 01920 870135 Fax number 01920 872543 Email address admin@sjbaptist.herts.sch.uk

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Age group 4–11 Inspection dates 17–18 February 2011 Inspection number 358140 Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 2 of 14

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achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the documentation in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to 'Subscribe'. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 3 of 14

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by three additional inspectors. The inspection team visited 22 lessons and observed seven teachers. Inspectors held meetings with members of the governing body, staff - including teaching assistants, a parent, and groups of pupils. They observed the school's work and looked at a selection of documentation, including planning, evidence of monitoring such as lesson observations, analyses of pupils' work and other assessment information. The inspection team scrutinised inspection questionnaires returned by 116 parents and carers, and by 21 staff and 95 pupils. The inspection team reviewed many aspects of the school's work. It looked in detail at a number of key areas.  In view of recent changes, how well activities planned for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage promote their learning.  The impact of support and guidance on the progress of pupils with special

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Introduction

educational needs and/or disabilities.  The effectiveness of new management information systems in developing the role of subject leaders.

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Information about the school

St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England primary school is a smaller-than- average sized school. Most pupils are from White British heritages. Hardly any speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be entitled to free school meals is well-below average. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. The school has the Activemark award and National Healthy Schools status. A new deputy headteacher joined the school in September 2009. A new classroom was built in November 2010. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 4 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Main findings

St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England primary school is a good school. Pupils achieve well because of good quality teaching in most classes, with particular strength in Key Stage 1. By the end of Year 6, standards of attainment are above average in English and mathematics. An interesting and relevant curriculum engages pupils well. Parents and carers are supportive of the school's work. Speaking for many, one parent wrote, 'This school is a very caring, positive environment where each child knows that they are expected to work hard and be kind and caring to each other.' Most pupils achieve well in Key Stages 1 and 2. However, from starting points in line with age related expectations, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make satisfactory progress. This is because they do not have sufficient opportunity to practise their developing early writing and number skills daily, and activities do not always have a clear

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Main findings

learning purpose. Staff record children's achievements through taking photographs and writing brief notes, but assessment is not rigorous enough to plan precisely the next steps in their learning. Elsewhere in the school, good marking clearly shows pupils how to improve, and they have time to respond to their teachers' comments. Pupils know their individual targets, which are communicated in child-friendly language. Pupils say they feel safe at school and parents and carers strongly agree. Pupils have a good understanding of dealing with hazards. They generally behave well, and the older pupils look after the younger ones considerately. There is a high participation rate in the many sports clubs available to pupils, who organise games as young sports leaders. The school cares for pupils well, especially those whose circumstances make them vulnerable. Adults provide good role-models for pupils, treating them with respect, and displaying the

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Main findings

Christian values that underpin the work of this church school. There are weaknesses in the provision for the small number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, whose progress overall is not as rapid as that of their peers. The targets on pupils' individual education plans are not specific enough or able to be measured easily, and one or two members of staff have not had the particular training required to boost the progress of certain individuals or groups of pupils. While intervention programmes take place, these do not always meet pupils' particular needs. Good leadership from the headteacher has seen teaching improve rapidly, with much that is consistently good or outstanding. Teachers have high expectations of pupils, and challenge them through high quality questioning, conducting lessons at a brisk pace. Monitoring is effective, giving staff clear guidance on how to improve. The recent

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Main findings

introduction of a central electronic information management system, or portal, enables subject leaders to access data and upload evidence to show progress against the school's key priorities for improvement. The governing body is involved well in the life of the school, visiting regularly to monitor developments and holding senior leaders to account. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 5 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

There has been good progress since the last inspection, with attainment consistently above average, and improving teaching and learning; consequently the school's capacity for further sustained improvement is good.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Accelerate children's progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage by: providing daily opportunities for children to practise their early writing and number skills ensuring each activity, whether led by adults or chosen by the children themselves, has a clear learning purpose making assessment procedures more rigorous and systematic to identify precise next steps in children's learning.  Improve provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and thereby improve their progress by: ensuring targets on individual education plans are specific and measurable and reviewed termly tailoring intervention programmes to meet the specific needs of individuals and groups of pupils ensuring specific staff, who are given particular responsibilities, are appropriately trained.

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 2

Pupils enjoy learning and achieve well. They are enthusiastic in lessons and very keen to participate. For example, Year 2 pupils had made models of lighthouses and were engrossed in forming electric circuits to light them up. Year 6 pupils engaged in high level discussion around calculating large square numbers and identifying patterns. In Year 1, pupils enjoyed role-play in their police station as part of a topic on 'people who help us', viewed grimly by a (pictorial) prisoner behind bars. A focus on improving writing has seen pupils in Years 1 to 6 make good progress, with many opportunities to write for a purpose and to practise their writing skills across a range of subjects. While most pupils achieve well, including the very few pupils who speak English as an additional language, the progress of the small number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is more variable. This is because teachers have not pinpointed

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 2

sufficiently clearly the particular steps necessary to help these pupils accelerate their learning, or recorded them accurately on individual education plans. The plans are not reviewed often enough to measure the impact they are having on pupils' progress. Consequently, the support provided is not always tailored closely enough to pupils' specific needs. Nonetheless, the dedicated team of teaching assistants do make a valuable contribution in classrooms supporting other groups of pupils, and there is some very effective pastoral support for pupils with challenging behaviour. Pupils' make a good contribution to the school and wider community. A welcome service for Reception children and their families celebrates them joining the school community and they are taken in hand by older pupils. As one Year 6 pupil remarked, 'You can make Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 6 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

friends with the little ones as well.' Pupils take responsibility as peer mediators and members of the school council, although its meetings are too infrequent to have a sustained impact. Pupils enhanced their local area by designing a sculpture trail from Great Amwell to Hertford, creating small bronze statues at key locations along the way. The choir performs at local venues, including to elderly residents. Pupils' good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is supported by close links with the parish church, and links with schools in The Gambia and India. Pupils develop their team-building skills on residential visits and are prepared well for secondary school, having well-developed basic skills.

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

These are the grades for pupils' outcomes

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Pupils' achievement and the extent to which they enjoy their learning 2

Taking into account: Pupils' attainment¹

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Pupils' achievement and the extent to which they enjoy their learning 2

The quality of pupils' learning and their progress 2

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Pupils' achievement and the extent to which they enjoy their learning 2

The quality of learning for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their progress

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2

Taking into account: Pupils' attendance¹

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The extent of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2

1 The grades for attainment and attendance are: 1 is high; 2 is above average; 3 is broadly average; and 4

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How effective is the provision?

Teaching is consistently good or better in most classes, although there remain pockets of satisfactory teaching. Lessons are often planned to interest and engage pupils, with well- organised resources and a high level of challenge. For example, Year 1 pupils used their good knowledge of how the emergency services were first set up to write factual text, supported by the teacher's excellent questioning and use of the interactive whiteboard. On the rare occasions when teaching is satisfactory rather than good, explanations lack clarity, pupils sit for too long waiting to begin their independent work and expectations are not high enough. Assessment is good, with clear guidance given to pupils to show them how to improve, and opportunities taken to correct any misunderstanding. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 7 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

The curriculum is creative and interests pupils, built around the skills they need. There are plenty of opportunities for pupils to practise their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, as when Year 6 pupils produced high quality topic books on life for children during the Second World War. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is not so well developed. The curriculum is enriched well with a good range of clubs, visits and visitors. Pupils make good use of the local environment, growing their own vegetables and studying the historic buildings in the village. Transition arrangements at every point of transfer are strong, with plenty of support for pupils as they move on in their education. The school is very welcoming and caring, something that parents and carers appreciate. One said, 'The ethos of the school is especially caring between younger and older children and also staff members - we are pleased to be part of this school.' The

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

school promotes attendance well, ensuring that it remains above average.

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

These are the grades for the quality of provision

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The quality of teaching 2

Taking into account: The use of assessment to support learning

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How effective are leadership and management?

The school has been successful at supporting a number of newly qualified teachers in becoming consistently good practitioners through careful coaching and regular monitoring. The headteacher's drive and ambition is shared by all staff, who work together well in moving the school forward. The new deputy has made a considerable impact in developing the school's distinctive ethos and strengthening links with the church and community. Self-evaluation is accurate, supported by the new information management system, where evidence of subject leaders' activity to raise standards is stored and easily accessible. Subject leaders are relatively new to their posts, but have already had a positive impact through their good knowledge and regular monitoring of the school's work. The effectiveness of the governing body is good. Governors are well-informed and contribute to the school's strategic direction. They are particularly effective at ensuring

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How effective are leadership and management?

that safeguarding procedures meet all requirements, and in ensuring the safety of the school site. All staff are trained in child protection and good systems are in place to record and follow-up any concerns staff may have. A daily message book enables parents and carers to keep staff appraised of important information affecting their children. The school gives pupils equal access to all activities and tackles discrimination well. However, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities do not make the same good progress as their peers. The school is actively implementing measures to remedy these inconsistencies. There are good links with parents and carers, who are positive about the school and engage well with staff. Parents and carers raise considerable funds each year to benefit the pupils. The good sports partnership has enabled pupils to take part in a wide variety of activities, and

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How effective are leadership and management?

Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 8 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

the extended schools' consortium has provided additional benefits for pupils whose circumstances make them vulnerable. An excellent partnership with a parent resulted in pupils' creating a renowned local amenity, a sculpture trail. The school promotes community cohesion well, having an outstanding understanding of its local area and developing good links with schools abroad in The Gambia and India. Pupils have exchanged letters and sent out donations. There are evolving links with a multi-cultural urban school in the United Kingdom.

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

These are the grades for leadership and management

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2

Taking into account: The leadership and management of teaching and learning

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Early Years Foundation Stage

Children's skills and knowledge on entry to the Early Years Foundation Stage is generally in line with age related expectations. They settle well, because of the good level of care and support they receive. Class routines are well-established, resulting in an orderly and harmonious environment. Progress is satisfactory, because there is not enough emphasis on what children are learning, whether engaged in activities chosen by themselves, or led by adults. Opportunities are missed to discuss aspects of learning with the children at the beginning and end of sessions, and the extent to which they can practise their early writing and number skills varies. This means their acquisition of writing and calculation skills is not as rapid as it could be. The Early Years Foundation Stage is resourced well, with a spacious outside area that is used well. Topics are planned to interest children, such as 'dinosaurs', and they enjoy working and playing together. However, their learning

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Early Years Foundation Stage

is not directed sufficiently closely to ensure they make good progress. By the end of the Reception year standards are broadly average, but below in writing and calculation. Staff keep attractive records of children's achievement in 'learning journeys', which parents and children enjoy viewing. These mainly contain photographs and brief notes about what children are doing. Observations of children's learning are not sufficiently Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 9 of 14

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

detailed or systematic to build up a comprehensive picture of their progress, or to enable staff to plan precisely the next steps in their learning. There is satisfactory leadership and management of a committed staff team, who are very willing to take on new ideas and improve their practice.

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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

These are the grades for the Early Years Foundation Stage

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

Taking into account: Outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

The quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

The effectiveness of leadership and management of the Early Years Foundation Stage

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Views of parents and carers

The proportion of questionnaires returned by parents and carers was greater than average. Parents and carers are generally supportive of the school, with most believing their children enjoy school, are kept safe, are taught well and that the school is led and managed well. A small number of parents and carers were concerned about safety issues caused by car parking at the start and end of the school day, and some said they would like more information about how their children were learning. The school accepts that road traffic is a problem, and is considering ways of reducing it. The school also recognises parents' desire for more information, and is in the process of implementing a mid-year report to supplement the annual one. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 10 of 14

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Responses from parents and carers to Ofsted's questionnaire

Ofsted invited all the registered parents and carers of pupils registered at St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School to complete a questionnaire about their views of the school. In the questionnaire, parents and carers were asked to record how strongly they agreed with 13 statements about the school. The inspection team received 116 completed questionnaires by the end of the on-site inspection. In total, there are 183 pupils registered at the school.

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child enjoys school 69 59 45 39 0 0 1 1 The school keeps my child safe 71 61 40 34 3 3 2 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My school informs me about my child's progress 53 46 56 48 4 3 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child is making enough progress at this school 57 50 54 47 2 2 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The teaching is good at this school 64 56 47 41 3 3 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school helps me to support my child's learning 57 50 47 41 9 8 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school helps my child to have a healthy lifestyle 60 52 54 47 1 1 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school makes sure that my child is well prepared for the future (for example changing year group, changing school, and for children who are finishing school, entering further or higher education, or entering employment) 43 37 57 50 0 0 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school meets my child's particular needs 52 45 57 50 4 3 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school deals effectively with unacceptable behaviour 50 43 52 45 7 6 2 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school takes account of my suggestions and concerns 45 39 58 50 2 2 2 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school is led and managed effectively 64 56 42 37 6 5 1 1

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

Overall, I am happy with my child's experience at this school 67 58 44 38 1 1 2 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The table above summarises the responses that parents and carers made to each statement. The percentages indicate the proportion of parents and carers giving that response out of the total number of completed questionnaires. Where one or more parents and carers chose not to answer a particular question, the percentages will not add up to 100%. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 11 of 14

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding These features are highly effective. An outstanding school provides exceptionally well for all its pupils' needs.

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 2 Good These are very positive features of a school. A school that is good is serving its pupils well.

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 3 Satisfactory These features are of reasonable quality. A satisfactory school is providing adequately for its pupils.

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 4 Inadequate These features are not of an acceptable standard. An inadequate school needs to make significant improvement in order to meet the needs of its pupils. Ofsted inspectors will make further visits until it improves.

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Type of school Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate

New school inspection arrangements were introduced on 1 September 2009. This means that inspectors now make some additional judgements that were not made previously. The data in the table above are for the period 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010 and are consistent with the latest published official statistics about maintained school inspection outcomes (see www.ofsted.gov.uk ). The sample of schools inspected during 2009/10 was not representative of all sc hools nationally, as weaker schools are inspected more frequently than good or outstanding schools. Percentages are rounded and do not always add exactly to 100. Sixth form figures reflect the judgements made for the overall effectiveness of the sixth form in secondary schools, special schools and pupil referral units. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 12 of 14

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Achievement: the progress and success of a pupil in their learning, development or training.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Attainment: the standard of the pupils' work shown by test and examination results and in lessons.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Capacity to improve: the proven ability of the school to continue improving. Inspectors base this judgement on what the school has accomplished so far and on the quality of its systems to maintain improvement.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Leadership and management: the contribution of all the staff with responsibilities, not just the headteacher, to identifying priorities, directing and motivating staff and running the school.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Learning: how well pupils acquire knowledge, develop their understanding, learn and practise skills and are developing their competence as learners.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Overall effectiveness: inspectors form a judgement on a school's overall effectiveness based on the findings from their inspection of the school. The following judgements, in particular, influence what the overall effectiveness judgement will be.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

 The school's capacity for sustained improvement.  Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils.  The quality of teaching.  The extent to which the curriculum meets pupils' needs, including, where relevant, through partnerships.  The effectiveness of care, guidance and support.

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Common terminology used by inspectors

Progress: the rate at which pupils are learning in lessons and over longer periods of time. It is often measured by comparing the pupils' attainment at the end of a key stage with their attainment when they started. Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 13 of 14

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carers to share with their children. It describes Ofsted's

main findings from the inspection of their school.

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School, Ware, SG12 9SE

Thank you for making us welcome when we inspected your school and sharing your views with us, both when you met us and through completing questionnaires. You told us that your school is good, and we agree with you. You said that the staff are friendly and make learning interesting, and that you would turn to an adult if you had a problem. Here are some other things the school does well. Standards of attainment in English and mathematics are above average. Most of you make good progress in your learning. The teaching is good and teachers ask you challenging questions. You know how to stay safe and keep healthy. You behave well and the older pupils look after the younger ones. There are plenty of clubs and visits for you to enjoy. The school cares for you well, especially if you have any worries. Mrs Robinson and her team lead the school well. Not all of the pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities do as well as

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School, Ware, SG12 9SE

the rest of you, so we have asked your teachers to make sure that they set targets for them that will help them to improve. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage settle quickly into school, but we believe they could make faster progress. We have asked staff to focus on what they are learning and to spend more time observing them to find out what they can do and need to do next. You all can help by working hard and telling your teachers what you enjoy about learning. With best wishes for the future,

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School, Ware, SG12 9SE

Nick Butt Lead Inspector Inspection report: St John the Baptist Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, 17–18 February 2011 14 of 14

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www.ofsted.gov.uk . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please

telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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