Millfield Community School and Centre

Millfield Community School and Centre Inspection report

p.1

119960 Unique Reference Number Leicestershire Local Authority 313460 Inspection number 3–4 December 2008 Inspection dates Peter Clifton Reporting inspector

p.1

This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. The registered childcare, managed by the governing body, was inspected under section 49 of the Childcare Act 2006.

p.1

Primary Type of school Community School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 386 School (total) 45 Government funded early education provision for children aged 3 to the end of the EYFS 5 Childcare provision for children aged 0 to 3 years The governing body Appropriate authority Carl Liquorish Chair John Simpson Headteacher 13 June 2005 Date of previous school inspection 7 March 2008 Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Hat Road School address Braunstone Leicester LE3 2WF

p.1

4–11 Age group 3–4 December 2008 Inspection dates 313460 Inspection number 01162 897151 Telephone number 01162 894252 Fax number

p.1

4–11 Age group 3–4 December 2008 Inspection dates 313460 Inspection number .

p.2

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.3

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. 3 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.3

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by three Additional Inspectors.

p.4

Description of the school

This is a larger than average school that draws approximately half of its pupils from the immediate locality with the rest coming from further afield. A majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds and a minority are from other ethnic groups, about one third being of Asian heritage. The proportion of pupils who have English as an additional language is well above average. The proportion with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. Most of these pupils have difficulties with literacy and numeracy. Millfield Community Nursery operates from the Community Centre in the grounds of the school. Children come from the local community and join the nursery's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the age of two. Most of the children join the school's EYFS Reception provision when they are four years of age. Family Learning courses are provided to help parents support their children's leaning.

p.4

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.4

Grade: 2

This is a good school. Pupils' personal development and well-being are outstanding because staff are highly committed to keeping pupils safe and promoting enjoyment and achievement. Standards are above average and achievement is good, mainly because of good teaching and pupils' very positive attitudes. Provision in the Nursery and Reception Year is good and children are well prepared for work in Year 1. Pupils greatly enjoy their time at school. Their behaviour is exemplary and they attend well. They are very proud of their school, engage enthusiastically in what the school offers and want to do their best. Leaders rightly recognise that progress in writing is not as strong as in other areas in Years 3 to 6. Almost all parents comment positively about the school. Many are very pleased with what it offers for their children. They value the friendly and approachable staff. For example, they comment that, 'The school is a focal part of a vibrant community. It adheres to strong values

p.5

Grade: 2

of friendship, zero tolerance to bullying and caring for each other.' Pupils' comments echo these views. They say they feel very safe and that lessons are interesting. One commented, 'This is the best school ever.' Pupils express their views with great confidence and readily take on responsibility. They play and work with each other exceptionally well regardless of their ethnic origin. Pupils have a keen awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet and really like sport. These strengths reflect values that are strongly promoted by all staff. Lively teaching and a diverse curriculum promote good learning and enjoyment. Pupils say they like lessons and that the teachers are friendly. Teachers create a harmonious atmosphere for learning in all classes. The good curriculum provides many opportunities for pupils to be active in their learning, for example in science, and to develop thinking through group discussion.

p.5

Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. Pupils have targets, which they know. These are used extensively in Years 1 and 2, enabling the pupils to have an acute understanding about how to improve their work. However in Years 3 to 6, targets are not used consistently enough to help the pupils with their learning and this is impeding progress. Good leadership and management have ensured that key issues identified in the previous inspection report have been addressed. Leaders have accurately identified where improvements are needed now. Plans to develop pupils' writing skills are in place, but are not yet sufficiently refined to secure maximum benefit. This is because there has not been sharp enough identification of the action needed in each year group to meet all pupils' needs in this area. However, the success of initiatives so far shows that the school is well placed to improve.

p.5

Grade: 2

In most years, attainment on entry is a little below the level expected. The spacious and well-equipped outside area in Reception is used well, although it lacks a covered area. Across both settings, children achieve well because of good teaching and a good range of activities, including those that they choose for themselves. Children in Reception are already working at the levels expected for their age, although writing remains a slightly weaker area. Children's personal and social development is good because of the emphasis on working together and respecting each other. Their welfare is very strongly promoted through a stimulating and welcoming environment and attentive staff. The good induction arrangements ensure that 5 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008 children settle well. Children play well together regardless of background and take responsibility

p.5

Grade: 2

for choosing activities. Links with parents are very strong. New learning journals, in which each child's learning is recorded, are already providing good information about how well children are progressing and are shared with parents. Children are responding well to their individual targets. The Reception coordinator provides a clear direction for further improvement, and adults work well together. The Nursery manager guides her team well. There are good and growing links between the Nursery and Reception. However, the expertise of the Reception leader is not yet fully utilised, for example to help evaluate the success of changes made.

p.6

What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve pupils' progress in writing in Years 3 to 6 by ensuring that action is sharply focused on the developments required in each year group in this area. ■ Ensure pupils in Years 3 to 6 regularly use targets in lessons to enable them to support their own learning more effectively.

p.6

Grade: 2

Children make good progress in the EYFS and reach average standards by the time they enter Year 1. Over the past two years, standards in Year 2 have been above average, with a strength in writing because a high proportion of pupils reached the expected Level 2. Pupils in Year 2 now are on track to achieve above average standards. Year 6 standards in 2007 were above average, with pupils making satisfactory progress in English, mathematics and science from Year 3. Performance information for 2008 shows standards to be stronger in reading than in writing. The current Year 6 pupils are on track to reach above average standards. They make good progress in reading and satisfactory progress in writing. Most pupils with English as an additional language have good English speaking skills and make progress at a similar rate to other pupils in the school. Those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities achieve well.

p.6

Grade: 1

Pupils thoroughly enjoy coming to school. They are very keen to learn and readily take on responsibility, such as being 'buddies' and playground helpers. The school is successful in promoting strong relationships as pupils socialise together exceptionally well. They show concern about the welfare of each other regardless of background and have a strong sense of right and wrong. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding and the atmosphere in the school is one of harmony and friendship. Pupils move around the school and play together very sensibly. They are very aware about possible dangers outside school. Pupils have a clear voice in saying what they would like to be changed. They eagerly join in with additional school and community activities. Pupils raise funds for charities and extra resources for the school. They eat fruit at play times and many expend much energy in the playground

p.6

Grade: 1

playing football or in 'huff and puff' activities. Pupils work very well together in teams taking on different roles. Work on the allotment is helping to develop their understanding about recycling. They are well prepared for the future. 6 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.6

Grade: 2

Teachers promote positive relationships and manage pupils very effectively. Pupils are keen to answer questions and respond quickly to instructions. Good independence in learning starts in the EYFS and is built on effectively throughout the rest of the school. Teachers only rarely need to intervene to gain the attention of the pupils, indicating how happy pupils are in class. Teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to helping pupils learn in small groups. There is much enthusiasm evident in group work, for example, when pupils in Year 2 discuss and assess each other's writing. Teachers provide good practical approaches, for example in science, to make learning active. Lessons are usually planned well to meet the needs of different pupils. However, on a few occasions, particularly in Years 3 to 6, learning slows because the challenge of the work does not build sufficiently quickly. Pupils' targets are not referred to regularly

p.7

Grade: 2

The curriculum contributes well to pupils' overall good achievement. It is also very successful in promoting pupils' personal, social and health needs. Strong messages in assembly about valuing each other regardless of background contribute well to the cohesive community. Adaptations made to improve writing have been very successful in Years 1 and 2; however, more remains to be done in Years 3 to 6. Pupils' enjoyment is greatly enhanced by after-school clubs and visits. Art and music are strongly developed. Pupils sing enthusiastically during assemblies and in lessons from the EYFS onwards. Pupils enjoy using computers in the information and communication technology (ICT) suite. However, computers are not used fully to help pupils to learn in other lessons. The outside allotment area offers a rich learning experience for pupils to learn about the environment and growing plants.

p.7

Grade: 2

The school provides a very safe learning environment for all pupils. Health and safety routines and child protection procedures are robust. Risks are assessed before trips take place and attendance is carefully monitored. There are good arrangements in place to ensure the safe use of the internet. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well individually and in small groups. Learners at risk of falling behind are quickly identified and additional support is provided. Pupils have well-written targets for literacy and numeracy, which they know. Year 2 pupils, for example, use these very successfully to gain a clear view about how well they are doing. In Years 3 to 6, pupils are not as well informed. Marking is usually good, with useful comments to help pupils improve their work.

p.7

Grade: 2

The headteacher and senior leaders are strongly focused on raising standards and achievement. The senior leadership team and governors thoroughly monitor the work of the school, for 7 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008 example through watching lessons, looking at samples of work and gathering the views of pupils. Consequently, leaders have a clear view about how well the school is doing and what to tackle next. Plans for improvement cover the right issues, but are not sufficiently sharp, for example in identifying what needs to be done in each year group to accelerate progress in writing in Years 3 to 6. Pupils' performance is carefully tracked, and information is used well to set targets for each class and put additional support in place for individual pupils. Governors are exceptionally well informed because they visit regularly, often help in the school and are

p.7

Grade: 2

very ready to challenge the work of the school. Good links exist with parents and outside agencies to support the school's work and to promote community involvement and cohesion. Extension activities through Family Learning courses, supported by governors, draw adults into the school to work with their children. 8 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008 .

p.8

Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 9 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.9

Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.10

needs of learners?

Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well being? 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

p.10

EYFS?

2 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 2 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 1 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 2 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

p.10

Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 2 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make progress

p.10

Achievement and standards

1 Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 10 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.10

learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners enjoy their education 2 The attendance of learners 1 The behaviour of learners 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

p.11

learners' needs?

How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.11

and supporting all learners?

How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education 2 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination eliminated 2 How well does the school contribute to community cohesion? How effectively and efficiently resources, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 11 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

5 December 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Millfield Comunity School and Centre, Leicester, LE3 2WF Thank you for the very warm welcome you gave us when we visited your school. We enjoyed talking with you and were very impressed with your friendliness and confidence. The valuable information you gave us was a great help. Your school cares for you well and gives you a good education. Teaching and the curriculum are good and help you to make good progress and achieve well. Leadership of your school is good. We were impressed by your very positive attitudes to learning. Your behaviour is outstanding and you attend well. We particularly enjoyed your enthusiastic singing in assembly.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ What your school does particularly well

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teaching is lively and ensures that you have many enjoyable and interesting activities to help you to learn. ■ You use your targets to help you to learn very well in Years 1 and 2.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your parents and carers are very pleased with the school and how you are helped to learn.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You have an excellent understanding about keeping yourselves safe.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ There is a rich curriculum, with good art and music and many activities in addition to lessons, and this is helping you to enjoy school a great deal. ■ Adults make sure that the school is a happy and welcoming place.

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher and other leaders are making changes that are helping you to improve your work. We have asked your headteacher and the other adults to do these things:

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ sharpen action to help you improve your writing in Years 3 to 6

p.12

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ help you use your individual targets more in lessons in Years 3 to 6 so that you can learn even better. You can help your school to improve even further by continuing to do your best always. Yours sincerely Peter Clifton Lead inspector 12 of 12 Inspection Report: Millfield Community School and Centre, 3–4 December 2008

p.12