Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Age group 3–11 Inspection date(s) 13–14 September 2011 Inspection number 380972 Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Inspection report

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Unique Reference Number 124749 Local Authority Suffolk Inspection number 380972 Inspection dates 13–14 September 2011 Reporting inspector Selwyn Ward

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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 3–11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 256 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Brian Marr Headteacher Darron Jackson Date of previous school inspection 17 November 2008 School address The Street Capel St Mary Ipswich IP9 2EG Telephone number 01473 310386 Fax number 01473 312297 Email address ad.capelstmary.p@talk21.com Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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. 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

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

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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 3 of 14

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by three additional inspectors, who visited 23 lessons taught by 10 teachers. Inspectors spoke with staff, parents and carers, members of the governing body and groups of pupils. Inspectors looked at samples of pupils’ work, the analysis of the tracking of pupils’ progress, attendance records, school policies and procedures, school leaders’ monitoring records, school planning and risk assessments. They also analysed the questionnaires received from 92 parents and carers.

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Introduction

The inspection team reviewed many aspects of the school’s work. It looked in detail at a number of key areas.

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Introduction

 What has been impact of measures aimed at raising attainment and rates of progress?  How effective is the school in identifying pupils’ specific learning needs, particularly in catering for more-able pupils and those who need extra help with their learning?

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Information about the school

This school is a little larger than average. Almost all of the pupils are White British. The proportion known to be eligible for free school meals is low. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is average, although there is an above average proportion with a statement of special educational needs. The headteacher was appointed in April 2010. The school has an ActiveMark and Sing Up Gold awards and Healthy Schools status. There is registered childcare provision on the site but this is independently managed and did not form part of this inspection. Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

Capel St Mary provides a satisfactory education for its pupils. The school has improved considerably over the past year or so. Children get off to a consistently good start in the Nursery and Reception Years, not least because the Early Years Foundation Stage is extremely well run, but they have not always been helped to capitalise enough on this in Years 1 to 6. As members of the governing body acknowledge, there have been periods since the last inspection when the school was coasting. Improvements to the curriculum over the past year have better engaged pupils so that they are well-motivated and work with enthusiasm. Teaching and learning are satisfactory and improving, as is the rate of pupils’ progress. Senior leaders have an accurate picture of the school’s many strengths and of where further improvements are needed. The success of leaders and staff in moving the school forward show Capel St Mary’s good capacity for continued improvement.

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Main findings

The school sums up its aims through the apt acronym: Care Achieve Persevere Enjoy Learn. The good quality of care is evident in the support given to pupils with special educational needs, many of whom make good progress to attain standards in line with those expected for their ages. It is also particularly evident in the Early Years Foundation Stage, where several parents and carers comment favourably on the support their children have been given. Typical was the account of a mother of a child just starting in Reception: ‘His first day was very tearful, but teaching staff were brilliant and I felt confident leaving him. He settled very quickly and is very excited to be at school.’

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Main findings

Pupils achieve satisfactorily. Standards in reading are consistently above average, but those in writing and mathematics have been more variable and are average overall. However, rates of progress are improving with the improvements in teaching. The use of assessment is also improving. Assessment is used well in some classes, both to adapt lesson planning to meet pupils’ specific learning needs and to involve pupils in evaluating their own learning. However, this is not a consistent feature across the school. Pupils’ good behaviour and positive attitudes to learning mean that they usually listen well in lessons and persevere with their work. Increasingly, creative links made between subjects help to make the curriculum more relevant and exciting. It results in pupils who enjoy school and who show they want to learn and do well. Pupils are keen to play active roles in the school and wider community but

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Main findings

they do not have enough opportunities to learn about other cultures and ways of life in the United Kingdom and wider world. Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

Up to 40% of the schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory may receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 By the end of the summer term 2012, further raise attainment and accelerate pupils’ progress in lessons by:  maintaining a brisk pace of learning and not allowing lengthy periods of passive listening to limit the opportunities for pupils to get on with writing and practical activities  always giving teaching assistants an active role during whole-class teaching  making more effective use of ‘talk partners’ to develop pupils’ speaking and listening skills.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 By the end of the spring term 2012, improve the effectiveness of assessment by:  using ongoing assessment information always to adapt lesson planning to take account of gaps identified in pupils’ understanding  making sure that all pupils know and understand their individual targets and the next steps they need to take to move their learning on  consistently giving all pupils clear guidance through marking that shows them what they need to do to improve their work  giving pupils throughout the school the opportunity to routinely check their own and each other’s work  ensuring that pupils have time to read and respond to the comments teachers make in their marking.

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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 By the start of the summer term 2012, extend opportunities for pupils to learn about other cultures and ways of life in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 3

Attainment at the end of Year 6 is average. This represents satisfactory progress in relation to children’s starting points when they join the Early Years Foundation Stage, but the rapid progress made in Nursery and Reception has not been consistently sustained in Key Stages 1 and 2. Boys and girls are now making good progress in an increasing proportion of lessons, helped by their good concentration and positive attitudes. Where progress slows, it is often because teachers’ explanations or introductions go on for too long. This occurred, for example, in an otherwise very well-planned English lesson in Key Stage 1. Because pupils were expected to sit overlong on the carpet listening, rather than being allowed to get on with the Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

practical activities planned for them, they began to get fidgety and restless. By contrast, pupils in a parallel class who were allowed to more quickly get on with writing and other tasks worked with enthusiasm and made more rapid progress.

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

Pupils greatly enjoy the opportunities they have to take on responsibilities within the school, for example as ‘Green Rangers’ policing the switching off of lights, ‘Helping Hands’ in Year 6, and as ‘Fact Finder’ librarians. Some bemoan the fact that they are only allowed to take on one key responsibility at a time. Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep safe and of the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise. They are also sensible about keeping a balance between conflicting pressures. As one Year 2 boy explained, ‘I eat junk food sometimes but I make up for it with lots of sports.’ Although some pupils miss out on valuable schooling because of family holidays in term time, attendance is good. Along with pupils’ strong sense of community and teamwork, this prepares them well for the next stage of their education.

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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

Taking into account: Pupils’ attainment 1 The quality of pupils’ learning and their progress The quality of learning for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their progress

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contribute to their future economic well-being

Taking into account: Pupils’ attendance 1

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How effective is the provision?

Pupils are well-motivated because the curriculum is made interesting and exciting and because teachers develop good relationships with their classes. Activities are designed to stimulate pupils’ imagination and provide them with memorable learning experiences. Year 4 pupils, for example, eagerly described the spouting volcanoes they had made last year. Many pupils take part in the good range of clubs and extra-

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How effective is the provision?

1 The grades for attainment and attendance are: 1 is high; 2 is above average; 3 is broadly average; and 4 is low Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

curricular activities on offer. The school’s strong musical tradition is reflected in its Sing Up Gold award. In addition to the two choirs, many pupils learn to play instruments.

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

Teachers routinely set out learning objectives and success criteria at the start of each lesson so that pupils know what they should be learning. There are examples of teachers making good use of ongoing assessment information to adapt their lessons to take account of gaps identified in pupils’ understanding from the lesson before. This is not established as a feature of teaching throughout the school, however. This can mean that, in some lessons, more-able pupils go over again details they already know, which slows their learning. There is variation too in the quality of marking: not all gives pupils a clear picture of what next steps they need to take to move their learning on, and not all pupils know and make use of their individual targets. Even where marking offers detailed guidance to pupils, its impact is limited when pupils are not given the time to read, reflect and respond to the teacher’s comments. Pupils

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

do not all check their own or each other’s work, which means that they sometimes make avoidable spelling and punctuation errors.

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

Teachers frequently encourage pupils to share their thoughts and ideas with a ‘talk partner’. Often, however, pupils only repeat to the class what they have previously told their partner rather than what their partner has said to them. This limits the impact of ‘talk partner’ discussion on developing speaking and listening skills. Teaching assistants provide mostly well-planned, well-focused support for those in their charge, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is appreciated by parents and carers. As one wrote, ‘My son received a good deal of additional help with English and mathematics to help him attain the nationally expected level in both subjects.’ Teaching assistants’ skills are not always fully utilised during periods of whole-class teaching. Often, in lesson introductions and summary sessions at the end, teaching assistants are largely passive observers.

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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

Taking into account: The use of assessment to support learning

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How effective are leadership and management?

In order to achieve a balanced budget, the headteacher has been very effective in leading the school through a difficult period which involved staff changes and redundancies. Notwithstanding, staff show a shared commitment to school improvement, as evidenced by the notably faster progress now being made in Key Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

Stage 2. Some subject and year group leaders are relatively new to their current roles, and none have undertaken lesson observations to give them a full picture of teaching and learning within their subject or year groups. The school has correctly identified this as an area for development. Equal opportunities are promoted well. As a result, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are helped to attain standards in line with their peers, and there is no significant difference between the achievement of boys and girls.

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

The governing body is supportive. Its members visit regularly and report on what they see. They appreciate that, in the past, they have been too dependent on leaders for information on how well the school has performed. The school development plan gives a strategic overview of improvements planned over the next four years, but the governing body does not have a clear picture of the action needed over the immediate year ahead to equip it to check on progress and fully hold the school to account. It has ensured that arrangements for safeguarding meet regulatory requirements.

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

Although the school plays an active part within the local community, it has begun to develop meaningful links with schools in India as a way of broadening pupils’ horizons. Pupils have relatively few opportunities to learn at first hand about life and different communities or faiths in other parts of 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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driving improvement

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

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Early Years Foundation Stage

When they start in the Early Years Foundation Stage, children’s skills, knowledge and abilities are in line with those expected for their age. Children make a good start to Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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

their education and, as a result, they leave the Reception Year with skills and capabilities that are above average. Staff are skilful in the way they encourage children to enjoy learning as they establish, from the very start of each year, an exciting learning environment. The children respond well and become very involved in their activities, often working and playing in close harmony. Children, for example, were purposefully engaged in designing and building an elaborate water pipe system to fill the ‘swimming pool’ others had built out of plastic blocks. They showed impressive maturity in the way they shared tasks in order to get the ‘job’ done.

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

Staff make detailed assessments of individual children’s progress to ensure that activities are planned which are pertinent to the needs of each child. Because provision is extremely well run, a strong collaborative and self-evaluative ethos has been established with all staff. This is in the process of being extended to increasingly include the views of parents and carers, and the children themselves.

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

Staff know their children well and care about their welfare as well as their academic and social development. All health and safety checks are completed meticulously and daily risk assessments ensure the safety and well-being of the children throughout the day. Resources are well maintained and used very effectively. The Early Years Foundation Stage provision enables the children to grow and develop while enjoying their introduction to school life.

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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

Taking into account: Outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage The quality of provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage The effectiveness of leadership and management of the Early Years Foundation Stage

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Views of parents and carers

Parents and carers express mainly positive views about the school, although some would like more guidance on how best to help boost their children’s learning. Not all share the view of the great majority of parents and carers that pupils’ behaviour is managed well. However, inspectors saw consistently good behaviour throughout the school. Pupils told inspectors that any lapses in good behaviour are quickly sorted out. Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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 Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 92 completed questionnaires by the end of the on-site inspection. In total, there are 256 pupils registered at the school.

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child enjoys school 42 46 42 46 5 5 1 1 The school keeps my child safe 44 48 46 51 1 1 0 0 The school informs me about my child’s progress 27 30 62 68 2 2 0 0 My child is making enough progress at this school 30 33 50 55 10 11 0 0 The teaching is good at this school 29 32 58 64 3 3 0 0 The school helps me to support my child’s learning 30 33 51 56 6 7 1 1 The school helps my child to have a healthy lifestyle 36 40 50 55 3 3 0 0 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 47 39 43 5 5 1 1

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school meets my child’s particular needs 31 34 49 54 9 10 2 2

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school deals effectively with unacceptable behaviour 27 30 51 56 8 9 1 1 The school takes account of my suggestions and concerns 30 33 50 55 6 7 1 1

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school is led and managed effectively 34 37 48 53 6 7 0 0 Overall, I am happy with my child’s experience at this school 44 48 41 45 6 7 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: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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. Grade 2 Good These are very positive features of a school. A school that is good is serving its pupils well. Grade 3 Satisfactory These features are of reasonable quality. A satisfactory school is providing adequately for its pupils. 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

Nursery schools 43 47 10 0 Primary schools 6 46 42 6 Secondary schools 14 36 41 9

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Type of school Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate

Sixth forms 15 42 41 3 Special schools 30 48 19 3 Pupil referral units 14 50 31 5

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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 2010 to 08 April 2 011 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 2010/11 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: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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.  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: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 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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Primary School, Ipswich, IP9 2EG

Thank you for making us so welcome when we came to visit. We found that your school has come a very long way over the past year or so, but your headteacher knows that it still has a little further to go before you all make the consistently good progress that the children make in Tadpoles and Frogs. That is why we have judged the school as satisfactory. Whereas, in past years, pupils have left Year 6 doing less well than they should, you are now all making at least satisfactory progress and some of you are doing better than this, particularly those of you who need extra help with your learning.

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Primary School, Ipswich, IP9 2EG

It was good to see how well behaved you are and how well you get on with each other. You are keen to take on responsibilities within the school, and we were pleased to see you listening carefully and working hard in lessons. Although teaching is already much improved, we have suggested some further ways in which teachers can help you to make faster progress. We have also suggested improvements to the arrangements for assessment and marking your work. You can help with this by always carefully checking your work, taking time to read the comments teachers write when they mark your work and doing your best to follow their advice. It will also be helpful if all of you knew and referred to your individual targets and the ‘next steps’ you need to take to move your learning on.

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Primary School, Ipswich, IP9 2EG

One of the reasons so many of you enjoy school is because teachers take good care of you and make the subjects and topics you learn interesting and fun. We were as excited as you to see the alien space ship that landed in the Year 1 and 2 area, and so we were not surprised to see that it prompted you to work with such enthusiasm!

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Primary School, Ipswich, IP9 2EG

Thank you for being so helpful on our visit, and our very best wishes for the future.

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Primary School, Ipswich, IP9 2EG

Selwyn Ward Lead inspector Inspection report: Capel St Mary Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, 13–14 September 14 of 14

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from Ofsted’s website: 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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