Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School

Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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Unique Reference Number 115619 Local Authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 357787 Inspection dates 14–15 March 2011 Reporting inspector David Carrington

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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 controlled Age range of pupils 4–11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 73 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Cate Morris Headteacher Pauline McEvoy Date of previous school inspection 9 October 2007 School address Apperley Gloucester Gloucestershire GL19 4DQ Telephone number 01452 780374 Fax number 01452 780374 Email address head@deerhurst.gloucs.sch.uk

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Age group 4–11 Inspection dates 14–15 March 2011 Inspection number 357787 Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 2011 3 of 14

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by two additional inspectors. They observed eight lessons led by four teachers. Meetings were held with the headteacher, the whole staff and members of the governing body. The inspectors observed the school's work and looked at school planning, assessment data, pupils' work, the school's checks on the quality of teaching and a number of policy documents. The team analysed 53 questionnaires from parents and carers and also evaluated those from pupils and the school staff. The inspection team reviewed many aspects of the school's work. It looked in detail at a number of key areas.  Whether girls in Key Stage 1, boys in Key Stage 2, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and higher attaining pupils are making consistently good progress, especially in writing.  The extent to which the information from assessment is used to encourage good progress and pupils' independence in learning.

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Introduction

 How far pupils' understanding of different communities in the United Kingdom and overseas is promoted effectively.

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Information about the school

Deerhurst and Apperley is much smaller than most primary schools. The pupils come from the two villages and the surrounding areas. Nearly all are from White British families and all speak English as their main language. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average. Most of these have some form of learning difficulty. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is low. There are three mixed-age classes. The first takes children from the Early Years Foundation Stage and those from Years 1 and 2. In Key Stage 2, Years 3 and 4 work together most of the time, as do Years 5 and 6. The school has been awarded Healthy Schools status. Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary is a good school. It has made brisk improvement since its previous inspection. Because its procedures for self-evaluation are rigorous, reliable and thorough, senior leaders and the governing body know the strengths and weaknesses of the school. This enables the setting of appropriate priorities, which are then carried out with enthusiasm, high morale and strong teamwork. The headteacher gives a very well-focused steer to the school and sets high expectations of pupils and staff alike. The school has good capacity to maintain its improvement into the future. Pupils' progress and attainment are rising well. The standard of pupils' writing is above average, which is a distinct improvement on the results in previous years. Attainment in mathematics is also above average. Because both boys and girls are well motivated and enthusiastic learners they make good progress in all years. The school's good curriculum is

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Main findings

well planned to enable pupils to maintain this rate of progress for the second or third year they are in the same class. Thus, the higher attainers are challenged well by their work and the proportion of pupils working at the higher levels is much increased now. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make good progress because there is ample opportunity for both adult-led and child-initiated activity that is engaging and often exciting. Lessons are generally well taught. The pupils respond well to the tasks they are set. Behaviour is first class at all times and so the conditions for learning are good. The outstanding quality of care, guidance and support ensures all pupils benefit from the interesting and stimulating work provided. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities work enthusiastically and make good progress because of the effective support provided by the teaching assistants. Attendance levels are high, which reflects pupils'

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Main findings

enthusiasm for school and their very positive attitudes to learning. The quality of assessment has been improved significantly. Its reliability is now checked carefully and regularly. The information provided by assessment is used well to set work that is suitable for pupils of different ages and abilities. Some of the marking of pupils' work is expert, especially in writing books, although it is less accomplished in mathematics because it does not always indicate how successfully the pupils are reaching their targets or what still has to be improved. The pupils are capable of sensible, independent and mature work. However, opportunities in lessons to reflect on their own progress and share thoughts about what they still have to achieve are not as frequent as they might be. Pupils do not always know what skills and knowledge are to be learned in lessons. There is satisfactory promotion of community cohesion. The development of effective

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Main findings

partnerships with different social, ethnic and faith groups in the United Kingdom and across the world to increase pupils' experiences of meeting and communicating with different people is in progress but not complete. Pupils' contribution to the school and Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

village communities is good. They are much involved in village events and those further afield in the county. The home-school partnership is extremely strong, which assists the pupils to make good strides with their school work. The views of parents and carers about the school are very positive.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Strengthen pupils' understanding of their progress and how to improve their work, especially in mathematics by: making sure that in lessons in Years 1 to 6 the pupils know what skills and knowledge are to be learned making sure that they have plenty of opportunities to think and talk together about their progress ensuring the marking of pupils' books helps them identify how well they are doing and what has still to be achieved in order to reach their targets.  Increase pupils' experiences of meeting and communicating with people of different societies, cultures and faiths in the United Kingdom and across the world.

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 2

Attainment levels are rising well in all years. The school priority to improve achievement in writing has resulted in some high quality writing. Much of this is displayed vibrantly around the school. Pupils strive to write their best. The contributions made by the older pupils to a national radio writing competition showed great imagination and skill. Such achievement starts in the Early Years Foundation Stage where writing activities have a high profile and the children, boys and girls alike, complete such tasks by choice rather than persuasion. Year 2 pupils are particularly proficient writers. One wrote of a shipwreck adventure: 'They opened the treasure lid, wow, wow, wow there was real gold, they were no longer poor.' The school has improved provision for information and communication technology (ICT) well, so pupils have developed good skills in the subject. Mathematics achievement is good too, though it is not quite as strongly promoted across the curriculum as are English

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 2

skills, so the consolidation of skills is not as thorough. In mathematics lessons there is good enthusiasm for learning, as seen when a Year 3 and 4 higher attaining group learned the skills of halving and doubling in order to multiply and divide by four and eight, which they did with great enjoyment. Pupils have good knowledge of how to keep healthy. They know when and why the school earned its Healthy School status. The visit to a chocolate factory was a popular excursion but the pupils know that eating confectionary should be a treat rather than a habit. The pupils also know how to keep themselves safe and what to do if they feel threatened or worried. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is effective. The school's links with the local church assist pupils' spiritual reflection and the imaginative displays of their work in school makes them stop and think about their own and others'

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 2

achievements. Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

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?

There is consistency of good teaching quality in all classes. Lesson planning is completed well, with work that is well matched for pupils of different ability. Subject knowledge is good, the pace of learning brisk and the deployment of teaching assistants in support of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is effective. Occasionally, learning is too tightly directed by the teacher, although more frequently pupils are encouraged to show initiative and independence as they work. Pupils show much greater enthusiasm for learning where this is the case. The curriculum is well thought out to provide the necessary learning experiences for pupils to build reliable basic skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT. It also supports their personal, social and health education effectively. The programme of out-of-school events is a great success as nearly every pupil attends at least one of the activities, such as the netball

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How effective is the provision?

coaching each week. The current curriculum priority, focused on the development of creative learning skills, is well chosen. It complements inspection findings relating to pupils' contribution to the assessment of their learning which is not yet regular enough. There are insufficient opportunities in lessons for pupils to reflect on, discuss and share their thoughts about how well they are learning or the next steps they need to take. Additionally, marking, especially in mathematics books, is not as successful in capturing pupils' progress towards their targets or in indicating ways to improve their work as it is in Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

English books, which means progress, while good, is less brisk in numeracy than in literacy. The specific social and learning needs of each pupil are well catered for by the systems to provide care, guidance and support. Any pupil who is troubled is counselled sensitively and thoroughly. This enables them to settle to effective study. The big family ethos of the school is infectious, so the pupils learn from the adults, and support and help each other willingly and competently. The school has formed good partnerships with parents and carers, outside groups and other schools to enable it to support individual and sometimes unique needs.

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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 good procedures for safeguarding all pupils. Parents, carers and pupils all maintain that safety is uppermost in the school's work. The governing body is increasingly well informed about the school's performance and is able to evaluate strengths and weaknesses independently. Senior and middle leaders also adopt a probing approach to their work. They work together well to ensure brisk improvement is maintained. This is assisted by the effective procedures for school self-evaluation. The governing body has evaluated the school's promotion of community cohesion and identified where improvement is due. It and the school staff recognise that the links with other groups in the United Kingdom and overseas are not yet well enough developed to broaden pupils' understanding of diversity and similarity between different groups. This is why the promotion of community cohesion is satisfactory rather than good.

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How effective are leadership and management?

School leaders, staff and the governing body share the same good ambitions and high expectations for pupils' education. The brisk academic progress made by the pupils and their effective personal and social development demonstrate that there is good equality of opportunity in school. Measures to track pupils' progress and to check and evaluate the quality of provision have been strengthened considerably over the past three years. This enables speedy intervention to tackle possible slower progress, which is why achievement is rising well. Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

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 in Reception are confident, articulate and enthusiastic learners. One group of children, busily playing with toy sea creatures in a water tank, explained what each animal was and the habitat it preferred. The lobster caused some friendly disagreement when one child suggested it was a scorpion: 'There are sea scorpions you know!' Once this had been settled amicably, another child placed the penguins on a sliver of ice, explaining they liked to keep their feet cold. The children benefit well from such self-chosen activity, but also from the guided discovery and learning promoted by the adults. The classroom and outdoor spaces are busy learning centres where fun and enjoyment are commonplace. The reception children benefit from a good curriculum that focuses equally well on all six areas of learning. The school has been able to provide separate tuition for reception children, particularly for literacy and numeracy each morning. This has ensured individual

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Early Years Foundation Stage

learning and personal, social and emotional needs of these young children are met successfully. Assessment is thorough, although the children themselves are not yet involved enough in identifying which activities have been completed and which have yet to be tried. There are a few moments when outdoor activities are not observed by an adult and so knowledge of children's choices is not always full. Nonetheless, the Early Years Foundation Stage is well led, with robust checks on its effectiveness and progress, with priorities for improvement identified. Improvement since the previous inspection has been good and children's progress has speeded up, enabling a higher proportion to go beyond the expected levels of skills and knowledge by the time they move to Year 1. All reach at least the expected levels. Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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

These are the grades for the Early Years Foundation Stage

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

The quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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

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Views of parents and carers

There was a high return rate of questionnaires which gives greater validity to the views of parents and carers. A significant number of questionnaires held written comments. These were mainly very positive and identified particularly the good progress, effective teaching and friendly ethos of school. Particular tributes were made to staff and the headteacher for their valuable work in helping the children succeed in school. Inspection judgements match these sentiments. There were a very few written concerns. Since these covered different issues, there were no real trends in the criticisms. It is evident that the school takes parents' and carers' views seriously and that staff follow them up thoroughly. This is another reason for the effective home-school partnership that is in place. Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 2011 10 of 14

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Responses from parents and carers to Ofsted's questionnaire

The inspection team received 53 completed questionnaires by the end of the on-site inspection. In total, there are 73 pupils registered at the school.

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child enjoys school 28 53 24 45 1 2 0 0 The school keeps my child safe 44 83 9 17 0 0 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My school informs me about my child's progress 28 53 22 42 3 6 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child is making enough progress at this school 27 51 21 40 5 9 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The teaching is good at this school 25 47 26 49 2 4 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school helps me to support my child's learning 30 57 19 36 4 8 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school helps my child to have a healthy lifestyle 41 77 12 23 0 0 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) 32 60 17 32 1 2 1 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school meets my child's particular needs 25 47 24 45 3 6 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school deals effectively with unacceptable behaviour 25 47 24 45 0 0 1 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school takes account of my suggestions and concerns 27 51 22 42 2 4 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school is led and managed effectively 41 77 10 19 2 4 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

Overall, I am happy with my child's experience at this school 35 66 16 30 2 4 0 0

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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: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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 schools 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: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 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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Gloucester, GL19 4DQ

Thank you for the enthusiastic and friendly welcome you gave us when we visited your school recently. We have written our report, which shows you come to a good school. It also highlights its main strengths.  You are doing well in school and building good skills and knowledge which will help you in the future.  Children in Reception are making good progress because they are thrilled to take part in all the different activities provided.  You behave excellently. You also develop very good relationships with others and help each other to learn successfully.  Your lessons are well taught and include a lot of interesting, practical and fun activities.  The adults in school look after you most carefully which means you can concentrate on your work without worry.  Your school is led and managed well. Your headteacher expects you to do your best and you try hard to do this. Like every school, there are a few things for improvement. The two key ones at Deerhurst

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Gloucester, GL19 4DQ

and Apperley are to:  make sure you have ample time to find out how well you are learning so you know what to do next to reach your targets  help you learn more about different people here in the United Kingdom and in other countries. We discovered that you are helpful children, so we know you will want to play your part in making these improvements. To start you could research the similarities and differences between people who live in Gloucestershire and those who live in another, different place and then design a poster to show what you have discovered.

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Gloucester, GL19 4DQ

David Carrington Lead inspector Inspection report: Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School, 14–15 March 2011 14 of 14

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

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

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