St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School

Age group 4–11 Inspection date(s) 18–19 October 2011 Inspection number 379128 St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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Unique Reference Number 115697 Local Authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 379128 Inspection dates 18–19 October 2011 Reporting inspector Joyce Cox

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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 100 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Dr Susan Young Headteacher Mandy Lloyd Date of previous school inspection 9–10 June 2009 School address High Street St Briavels Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 6TD Telephone number 01594 530428 Fax number 01594 531025

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Email address

Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 2011 2 of 14

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Email address

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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Email address

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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Email address

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 2011 2 of 14

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by two additional inspectors who observed four teachers and visited eight lessons. They held meetings with members of the governing body, staff and pupils. They observed the school’s work, and looked at the school improvement plan, assessment information, teachers’ planning, pupils’ work and safeguarding procedures. Inspectors also analysed questionnaires returned by 39 parents and carers, 14 members of staff and 56 pupils.

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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

 How effectively early language, writing and reading skills are developed in the Early Years Foundation Stage.  Whether Key Stage 1 pupils make sufficient progress in reading, writing and mathematics.  How successfully staff are improving pupils’ progress in mathematics throughout the school.  The apparently dynamic curriculum conveyed on the school’s website.

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Information about the school

This smaller-than-average primary school serves its local village, although a significant minority of pupils come from outlying areas. There are four classes, and children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in the Reception class. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds with a very small proportion from minority ethnic families. No pupils are at an early stage of speaking English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is much lower than average.

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Information about the school

In September 2010, the school entered into a formal collaborative partnership with another local primary school. The headteacher leads and manages both these small village schools and divides her time equally between the two settings.

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Information about the school

There is an on-site pre-school setting called St Briavels Early Years which is managed by a committee of parents and carers and has a separate inspection. Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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

This is an outstanding school. Since the last inspection, when the school was judged to be effective in many areas, there has been an excellent focus on driving and embedding significant improvements. These improvements have been secured because school leaders, staff and the governing body have worked together effectively, under the determined leadership and direction of the headteacher. They have established rigorous procedures for self-evaluation and improved the provision so that pupils receive good teaching, an excellent curriculum and exemplary care, guidance and support. As a consequence, pupils’ attainment has risen and is above average in mathematics and English by the time they leave Year 6. Children make an excellent start in the outstanding Early Years Foundation Stage and then make good progress through the rest of the school. Teaching is good and, in a small number of lessons, predominately in the Years 1 and 2 class, it is outstanding. Although the

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Main findings

great majority of lessons are taught well, there are a few rare occasions when pupils are not as engaged as they might be. The school’s excellent tracking system enables all staff to pinpoint the areas within subjects requiring improvement. Good progress in improving teaching and learning in mathematics has resulted in ensuring all pupils now achieve well. There is a current focus on improving standards of reading. Many strategies are being introduced, including pairing older pupils with younger ones as reading buddies. The older pupils are very keen and patient when sharing books but do not have sufficient guidelines to enable them to provide the maximum support.

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Main findings

Pupils’ excellent behaviour and mature attitudes ensure an extremely positive school ethos. They make an outstanding contribution to the school community through the school council, by helping at lunchtimes, being house captains and organising charity events. The curriculum is exceptionally wide and varied, and makes an excellent contribution to pupils’ enjoyment. Pupils themselves contribute to planning what they will learn and say that teachers make learning very exciting through interesting topics and excellent use of trips and visitors. Pupils’ welfare is given the highest priority. Good attention is paid to supporting pupils with special educational needs and or/disabilities, which ensures that they are fully included in all aspects of school life and achieve well. Taking into consideration the rising trend in pupils’ attainment and the effective planning for further improvements, the school demonstrates an

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Main findings

excellent capacity for future improvement. Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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What does the school need to do to improve further?

 Make sure that older pupils who support Reception children and infant pupils with their reading have very clear direction and written guidelines.

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 1

Most children enter the Early Years Foundation Stage with skill levels similar to those expected for their age. However, as there are only small numbers of children who start in the Reception class, trends in their initial standards are highly variable. Observations by inspectors and other evidence presented by the school confirm that pupils’ attainment is above average in English and mathematics. Well- organised additional intervention programmes for pupils who find learning more difficult and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities ensure they also do well. In the large majority of lessons seen during the inspection, pupils were observed to be making good progress. For example, Year 5 and 6 pupils thoroughly enjoyed calculating and costing the ingredients they would need to make pottage and dyett bread for their Tudor banquet. Pupils acquire a range of exceptional personal and social skills that helps them develop into well-rounded

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 1

individuals. In lessons, pupils show exceptionally positive attitudes to learning and high levels of perseverance. All pupils work very well together. Behaviour is excellent and all pupils say they feel extremely safe in school and are adamant that there is no bullying. A small number of pupils said that they felt that the football matches at break times were sometimes slightly over boisterous. Older pupils are very clear about internet and mobile phone dangers. Pupils have an outstanding awareness of the need for exercise, healthy food and drink, and good hygiene. They like, and eagerly participate in, the wide range of sports activities which the school provides. Over half of the pupils enjoy and benefit from the healthy school lunches which are cooked on the premises using locally sourced products. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent and the ‘values for life’ programme enables pupils to understand and endeavour to use

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 1

Pupils’ excellent personal skills, good attendance and their ability to apply their above-average academic skills ensure that they are prepared well for the next stage of their education and lives.

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Outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils 1

These are the grades for pupils’ outcomes

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2

Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

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?

Teachers’ good subject knowledge and high expectations ensure that many lessons are interesting and stimulating. Hence, pupils become engrossed and active learners. There are some significant areas of strength within teaching and learning. Where teaching is outstanding, planning is very detailed and pupils are exceptionally clear about what they are to learn in lessons and how they are to attempt tasks. Lessons move at a swift pace and pupils’ interest and engagement are captured by interesting resources and stimuli. In the large majority of lessons, teachers make effective use of assessment information to plan learning activities which are a good match to pupils’ various ages and abilities. Individuals, as well as groups of pupils who require further support, are swiftly identified and effective measures are put into place to meet their needs. There is a good balance between the teacher’s and pupils’

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How effective is the provision?

contributions. Teaching assistants are very skilled and provide good support to individuals and groups. Teachers use the interactive whiteboards confidently to support their teaching. Questioning strategies are used effectively to challenge pupils’ thinking and to consolidate learning. The sharing of ideas with a ‘talk partner’ is a regular feature, helping pupils to develop their social skills and their ability to communicate with others. Older pupils are timetabled to assist younger pupils with their reading but they have limited guidelines or prompts to ensure they discuss specific reading vocabulary such as ‘author’ or encourage the younger pupils to look at initial sounds or to use their phonic (the sounds that letters make) ability in reading.

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How effective is the provision?

The school has developed a very successful and innovative curriculum. Highly effective links are made between subjects and pupils record their learning in very impressive, exceptionally well-presented big books. This excellent curriculum enables staff to build successfully on pupils’ prior knowledge and skills and interests. For example, Year 3 and 4 pupils are currently fascinated with ‘Banquets, Beheadings

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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: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

and Boils’. They have found out about the plague and enjoyed making pottage for their Tudor banquet. An outstanding number of trips, clubs and visitors bring pupils’ learning to life. Pupils receive exemplary care because each child is known and valued. Highly effective support for all pupils enables them to make the very best of all the opportunities provided by the school. Outstanding links with other schools and with a range of agencies help to achieve this. The daily breakfast club is run by friendly, smiling staff who ensure pupils receive a happy and healthy start to the day.

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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?

The headteacher’s outstanding leadership has been a key factor in creating an extremely well-motivated staff team who improve the outcomes for all pupils. Excellent systems are in place to underpin school self-evaluation which are used exceptionally well by staff. Senior leaders provide a relentless and effective focus on improving teaching to ensure pupils achieve as well as they possibly can. They are fully aware of any difference in progress and attainment of various groups of pupils. Through the use of early identification strategies and highly effective interventions, they have succeeded in narrowing the achievement gap. The outstanding support for pupils whose circumstances have made them potentially vulnerable show the school’s strong commitment to equality of opportunity and tackling discrimination, which enables all pupils to achieve well, whatever their difficulties. Staff ensure that they

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How effective are leadership and management?

break down any barriers that might lead to gaps in their learning and achievement. The role of the governing body has improved significantly since the last inspection and governors now provide good challenge and support to the school. There is an outstanding partnership with parents and carers, who appreciate the dedication of all the staff. One parent writes, ‘We have complete confidence in the staff and management. Everyone works above and beyond their roles to ensure the children have an exciting and stimulating day at school.’ Safeguarding policies and risk assessments are of an excellent quality and are constantly reviewed to ensure pupils’ safety at all times. Community cohesion is promoted effectively within school and with the local community. The school has developed strong international links with European countries through the ‘Comenius’ project and has just succeeded in establishing a link with an inner city school so

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How effective are leadership and management?

pupils can learn more about life for pupils in different parts of the United Kingdom.

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How effective are leadership and management?

These are the grades for leadership and management Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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driving improvement

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

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The Reception learning areas, both indoors and outdoors, provide a highly attractive and stimulating environment in which children make rapid progress in all areas of learning and development. Children can move freely between the outdoor and indoor learning areas, and high quality displays and activities, such as a large wooden pirate ship, provide constant excitement and enjoyment. Moreover, smiling staff act as excellent ‘play and learning partners’. Adults are highly skilled at observing and assessing the children so they know precisely when to intervene and interact to extend and enhance children’s language, learning and development. They are highly competent practitioners and skilfully enable children to confidently try new experiences and develop their independence. For instance, during the inspection, children who had only been in school for a short time were happily and confidently exploring many new experiences such as going on a ‘welly walk’ around the village

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Early Years Foundation Stage

and learning a kangaroo dance. Excellent leadership and management, outstanding teaching and sensitive care ensure that most children attain the expected levels for their age on entry to Year 1. More-able children exceed the expected levels. Adults promote children’s language development and early reading and writing skills exceptionally well because they evaluate their planning daily and make detailed notes of children’s achievements. An outstanding partnership is quickly formed with parents and carers who say they ‘appreciate the exceptional level of care which staff take in getting to know each individual child’. Excellent liaison with the on–site pre– school means children have a very smooth and happy transition into school life.

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Early Years Foundation Stage

These are the grades for the Early Years Foundation Stage

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1

Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory, and 4 is inadequate

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

Just under half of the families at the school responded to the questionnaire, which is an above average proportion. Virtually all the parents and carers who responded to the questionnaire are entirely supportive of the school. All stated that their children enjoy school and make enough progress. They all felt that the quality of teaching is good and the very large majority feel that the school deals well with unacceptable behaviour, keeps their children safe and are happy with their children’s experiences at the school. Very few parents and carers raised any concerns. These were summarised and raised with the school without identifying any individual. Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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 Brevials Parochial 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 39 completed questionnaires by the end of the on-site inspection. In total, there are 100 pupils registered at the school.

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

My child enjoys school 30 77 9 23 0 0 0 0 The school keeps my child safe 34 87 4 10 1 3 0 0 The school informs me about my child’s progress 18 46 19 49 2 5 0 0 My child is making enough progress at this school 15 38 24 62 0 0 0 0 The teaching is good at this school 30 77 9 23 0 0 0 0 The school helps me to support my child’s learning 27 69 10 26 2 5 0 0 The school helps my child to have a healthy lifestyle 28 72 10 25 1 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) 27 69 11 28 1 3 0 0

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school meets my child’s particular needs 29 74 9 23 1 3 0 0 The school deals effectively with unacceptable behaviour 28 72 10 25 0 0 1 3 The school takes account of my suggestions and concerns 19 49 17 43 1 3 1 3

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Total % Total % Total % Total %

The school is led and managed effectively 21 54 17 43 0 0 1 3 Overall, I am happy with my child’s experience at this school 29 74 9 23 1 3 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: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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. 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 pre viously. The data in the table above are for the period 1 September 2010 to 08 April 2011 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: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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.  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 Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 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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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

We enjoyed visiting your school and I am writing to thank you for two very interesting days. We hope that the Key Stage 2 pupils enjoyed their Tudor banquet. We believe that you go to an outstanding school.

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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

 Your behaviour is excellent and you work hard and play very happily together.  You are taught well and this helps you to make good progress.  Your headteacher and staff lead and manage the school exceptionally well.  Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage have an excellent start to school.  You all enjoy learning very much and are given many exciting things to do.  The adults keep you extremely safe in school.

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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

We feel that, to make the school even better, it would be good if older pupils were given guidelines as to the best ways to support younger pupils with their reading.

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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

You can all help by continuing to work hard and by keeping up your excellent standard of behaviour.

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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

We wish you every success in the future.

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Inspection of St Briavels Parochial C of E Primary School, Lydney GL15 6TD

Joyce Cox Lead inspector Inspection report: St Briavels Parochial Church of England Primary School, 18–19 October 2011 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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