St Luke's CofE Primary School

St Luke's CofE Primary School Inspection report

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100443 Unique Reference Number Islington Local Authority 276313 Inspection number 16 °17 May 2006 Inspection dates Martin Beale Reporting inspector

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

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Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr David Forsdick Chair Mrs Ann Dwulit Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Radnor Street School address London EC1V 3SJ

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02072533880 Telephone number 02074907483 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 16 °17 May 2006 Inspection dates 276313 Inspection number .

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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.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

St Luke's is an average sized Church of England voluntary-aided primary school with a full-time Nursery. A very high proportion of the pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and almost half are learning English as an additional language. The main first languages of these pupils are Bengali and Turkish. Among this highly mobile population there are high levels of socio-economic deprivation and half of the pupils are eligible for free school meals. An average proportion of the pupils have learning difficulties and disabilities and two pupils have statements of special educational needs.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: St Luke's CofE Primary School, 16 °17 May 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

Improve attendance by encouraging all parents to make sure that their children attend regularly.

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Grade:

The school has an accurate view of the qualities of its teaching and takes robust action to make it better. The astute selection of a highly competent teaching staff has considerably benefited the quality of teaching and learning. As a result, lessons are at least good and a substantial proportion are outstanding. Pupils learn rapidly because they are motivated to do their best by lively, challenging and stimulating teaching. Assessment is thorough and teachers plan lessons based on a secure understanding of the next steps in learning for individual pupils. Teachers tell the pupils precisely what they will learn and check that these goals have been achieved. Skilful questioning keeps pupils on their toes and makes them think carefully about their responses. Pupils answer with confidence and share ideas willingly with others because they are sure their contributions will be valued. Activities are well-chosen, varied and moved on rapidly which generates a sense of

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Grade:

purpose and excitement to lessons. Interactive whiteboards are used imaginatively to interest pupils and provide a valuable additional visual stimulus that aids learning, particularly for pupils with limited English. The very careful deployment of skilled teaching assistants has a major influence on the progress of the pupils they support.

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Grade:

The very varied, rich and interesting curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of all pupils through a wide range of activities matched closely to their ability and ages. The curriculum not only supports the pupils' academic achievement but also makes a major contribution to their personal development. The very strong emphasis placed on the development of basic skills prepares pupils very well for the future. Because the school carefully monitors learning, it accurately identifies areas for development. This has led to action to improve writing by, amongst other strategies, increasing opportunities for pupils to write effectively in different subjects. This is having a great benefit on raising standards. Of equal importance to the school, is the creative curriculum where pupils express themselves through art, music, dance and drama. In this area, the school makes very good use of local expertise and specialist visiting teachers. The extensive range of after-school clubs, visits and

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Grade:

visitors extend pupils' experiences and add to their enjoyment. For example, a visit by a falconry 4 of 7 Inspection Report: St Luke's CofE Primary School, 16 °17 May 2006 group during 'Science Week' made a major contribution to pupils' understanding of living things.

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Grade:

The level of care, support and guidance is outstanding because all adults are fully committed to meeting the needs of all pupils in a friendly and warm environment where personal potential is recognised and encouraged. Individual need is carefully identified and appropriate and highly effective programmes of support put in place. The high levels of support contribute extremely well to pupils' personal development. They know how well they are doing and are fully aware of personal targets because systems for judging and informing pupils' of their progress are very effective. Child protection procedures, health and safety routines and risk assessments are fully in place. Pupils feel safe at school and are confident in the knowledge that adults support them. At playtimes, when they are well supervised, pupils are fully occupied and play safely with each other.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: St Luke's CofE Primary School, 16 °17 May 2006 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: St Luke's CofE Primary School, 16 °17 May 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Children I am writing to thank you very much for the warm welcome you gave to the inspectors when we visited your school. We enjoyed talking to you and your teachers and watching you learn. There are very many aspects of your school that we liked. You and your parents are right in thinking that you go to an excellent school. What we liked about your school:* You are cared for and looked after well in school, and prepared effectively for when you go to secondary school.* You are making excellent progress.* Teachers and teaching assistants work very hard to make sure that those of you who need extra help with learning get the right sort of support you need.* You enjoy taking part in the additional activities at lunchtime and after school.* Your behaviour is excellent. You play nicely with your friends at lunchtime and speak very politely to your teachers and visitors.* You support each other well and contribute much to improving your school.* You benefit from excellent teaching.*

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Your headteacher, staff and governors run the school very efficiently.* You are lucky to have such exciting additional activities such as the falconry display. We are very pleased to see how all of your teachers and governors are trying hard to make the school even better. You can help in this. A small number of you do not attend regularly and this affects your progress. We would like you and your parents to try harder to improve your attendance.We wish you well for the future. Yours sincerely Martin Beale Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: St Luke's CofE Primary School, 16 °17 May 2006

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