Pound Park Nursery School

Pound Park Nursery School Inspection report

p.1

100098 Unique Reference Number Greenwich Local Authority 276249 Inspection number 22 °23 March 2006 Inspection dates Vanessa Ward Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Nursery Type of school Maintained School category 3 °4 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

p.1

The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Nick Edwards Chair Mrs Sheena Gilby Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Pound Park Road School address Charlton London SE7 8AF

p.1

020 8858 1791 Telephone number 020 8858 1977 Fax number

p.1

3 °4 Age group 22 °23 March 2006 Inspection dates 276249 Inspection number .

p.1

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.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by an Additional Inspector.

p.3

Description of the school

Pound Park Nursery School is situated in an area of significant social deprivation, though the children come from a very wide range of social and economic backgrounds. Fifty children attend part-time, and thirty full-time. They are admitted to the nursery after their third birthday and leave in the term before they are five. The majority of children are of white British heritage, other children coming from Black, Asian and mixed race backgrounds. Fourteen children speak English as an additional language, nine being at the early stages. The percentage of children entitled to free school meals is above average. The proportion of children with learning difficulties is below average. One child has a statement of special educational need. The school is a designated Children's Centre, working with families and their children from the age of three months. It is also part of the Charlton Sure Start initiative.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Pound Park Nursery School, 22 °23 March 2006

p.3

What the school should do to improve further

* Build on the current good practice in data collection and analysis, so that all groups of children are included; * Extend the involvement of children in understanding how they are doing by sharing learning targets with them and encouraging them to evaluate their own progress.

p.4

Grade:

Teaching and learning are good because the teachers plan work that meets the children's differing needs and interests. The children are keen to learn because the staff make activities enjoyable. For example, their very effective use of the children's fascination with the whale which recently swam into the river Thames led to good work in all areas of learning. Children, sharing a book with a nursery nurse, concentrated very well because the use of good questioning engaged their interest in the story. Relationships between all adults and children are very positive and this helps the children to feel secure and to enjoy learning. Nursery nurses and teaching assistants play a valuable role and work effectively with the children. Assessment procedures are rigorous and the information gathered is used very well to help the staff to plan work that moves children's learning on. Each child's profile book contains examples of their

p.4

Grade:

work and is a record of their progress. Children enjoy adding work to these books and recalling their past successes. However, adults do not yet share the children's learning targets with them, or encourage them to evaluate for themselves how well they are doing.

p.4

Grade:

The curriculum is rich and stimulating and covers all areas of learning comprehensively. It is enriched by a good range of educational visits and visitors to the school. During the inspection, for example, the children had fun playing instruments and musical games with musicians who came to visit. The curriculum is adapted well to meet children's differing abilities and this contributes to their good progress. Teaching about health and safety, combined with the promotion of good relationships, enhances the children's personal development. The school successfully integrates the teaching of basic skills into many aspects of the school day. The outdoor area is used well to promote all areas of learning. Since a recent building project has reduced the size of this area, the school is currently reviewing how it can best maintain its effective provision. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Pound Park Nursery School, 22 °23 March 2006

p.4

Grade:

The care, guidance and support, which the school provides, are good because of their focus on the health and well-being of the children. Parents praise all that the school does. In particular, they appreciate the high levels of individual care their children receive. One parent wrote, 'You feel that your child is watched over by interested and caring staff'. Robust systems are in place to keep children safe and risk assessments are conscientiously carried out. Liaison with outside agencies is very successful in supporting the well-being and development of all the children. The support for children with learning difficulties is carefully considered and this helps to raise their self-esteem and confidence as learners. The care and guidance provided for children who are learning English as an additional language enables them to settle quickly, feel secure and ready to learn. Whilst informal discussion gives children some guidance about their personal

p.5

Grade:

and social development, not enough is done to involve the children in the evaluation of their academic progress.

p.5

Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Pound Park Nursery School, 22 °23 March 2006 .

p.5

Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Pound Park Nursery School, 22 °23 March 2006

p.6

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Children I enjoyed my visit to your school very much. Thank you for helping me to find out about it. You really enjoy your school because there are so many exciting things to do and learn. Your mums and dads think that the school is a good place to be and I agree with them. All the grown-ups in school really care about you and look after you very well. This helps you to feel happy and to enjoy learning. You like to run about and climb in the garden area and enjoy eating healthy foods at snack and lunch times. These help to make you fit and healthy. You enjoy saving your work in your Profile books and celebrating what you do well. I have asked your teachers to help you understand more about what you need to learn next. Your teachers plan lots of interesting things for you to do. They are good at checking how well you are learning and I have asked them to do more of this so that they can help you to learn

p.7

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

even better. I hope you carry on enjoying your school and working hard. Best wishes Vanessa Ward (Inspector) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Pound Park Nursery School, 22 °23 March 2006

p.7