Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School

Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School Inspection report

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100504 Unique Reference Number Kensington and Chelsea Local Authority 276323 Inspection number 18 °19 October 2005 Inspection dates Keith Williams 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 Dr Gwynneth Flower Chair Mrs M F Brading Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Clareville Street School address London SW7 5AQ

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02073734491 Telephone number 02072440591 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 18 °19 October 2005 Inspection dates 276323 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

Our Lady of Victories is an oversubscribed voluntary aided Catholic primary school of average size. Almost two thirds of the pupils are from minority ethnic groups, most of whom are from white or mixed backgrounds. About half of the pupils are learning English as an additional language. Almost one in five are at the early stages of learning English, the most common home languages being Italian, French and Spanish. An average proportion of pupils have been identified with special educational needs, four of whom have Statements of Special Educational Needs. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is similar to most schools. A higher than usual proportion of pupils leave the school at earlier than the usual time. After a period of stable staffing, the school appointed four newly qualified teachers in 2004.

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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: Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 18 °19 October 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Improve the personal development of the children in reception.* Continue to develop the pupils' involvement in decision making.

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Grade:

Overall, the quality of teaching and learning is good. The teachers have high expectations of how the pupils should behave and what they are capable of achieving. Lessons are well organised and the planning takes good account of what the pupils have learned previously. Effective teamwork between teachers and teaching assistants ensures that those pupils with special educational needs make good progress. The more able pupils are generally given the harder work they need and the school is, rightly, reviewing its approach to planning for these pupils in science. Good support is given to the pupils who are at an early stage of learning English. Every opportunity is taken to develop their speaking and listening through discussions in lessons and in informal situations. Some staff are confident in languages other than their own and they use these skills well to ensure that pupils of all background and capability are fully included in

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Grade:

lessons.The teachers make sure that the pupils understand what they are expected to learn. They use skilful questioning to keep a close check on their understanding and provide time at the end of lessons to reflect on how well they have done. Work is marked conscientiously and provides good feed back, which the pupils appreciate. As a result, most pupils have a good understanding of how well they are doing and what they need to do to improve.The basic skills of literacy and numeracy are taught well across the school and this has a significant impact on the pupils' progress and achievement. Subject knowledge in English is particularly strong and this contributes to the high standards. Weaknesses in the teaching of information and communication technology (ICT) have been addressed successfully. The teachers' knowledge and confidence has improved and newly acquired interactive whiteboards are already beginning

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Grade:

to have an impact in lessons. As a result, the pupils are now making good progress.

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Grade:

The curriculum offered to the pupils is good and covers all requirements. It is greatly enriched by very interesting and rewarding visits and a good range of activities outside of lessons. These add to the pupils' academic achievement and their enjoyment of learning. Some sporting activities are necessarily affected by the limited outdoor area but the school makes the best possible use of the available space. In the reception class, the planning relies too much on adult input and there are too few opportunities for the children to use their initiative and develop 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 18 °19 October 2005 independence. The school promotes a good understanding of how to stay safe and healthy through work in science and religious education. The planning and provision in ICT has improved since the last inspection. The pupils benefit from a good range of activities. As one pupil put

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Grade:

it, Using computers helps us to learn in other subjects, too. A good range of sports and games (both quiet and energetic) are available during lunchtime breaks and the pupils join in and play very well together.

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Grade:

The school makes every effort to ensure the safety and care of pupils, a view shared by the vast majority of parents. Health and safety procedures are reviewed regularly. Arrangements for child protection are well established and adults throughout the school are made aware of their responsibilities. Pupils have great confidence in their teachers and enjoy all aspects of school life. Those with learning difficulties are well provided for, statutory requirements are met and the support is well organised and targeted to meet the pupils' needs. The school makes effective use of assessment data to provide cohesive and challenging targets for improvement and the pupils are increasingly involved in checking and evaluating their own progress. They are well aware of the targets they have been set and know what they need to do next to improve.The pupils are taught how to take care of themselves and to make healthy and safe

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 18 °19 October 2005 .

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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: Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 18 °19 October 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

This letter is to tell you about the findings of the recent inspection. Thank you for the very friendly way in which you welcomed us to your school. We enjoyed talking to you and your views and opinions have given us a lot of helpful information. Many of you told us how much you like school and feel that you are getting on well. We agree with you. Your headteacher and staff work very hard to make sure that you are able to do your best. One of the reasons you are learning well is because you listen to your teachers and are keen to learn. We are pleased to see that your work in ICT has improved since the last inspection and we enjoyed seeing the good work that you are now doing on computers in other subjects. Many of you were learning English for the first time when you first joined the school. You told us how much you appreciate the help you were given by teachers and your classmates. This has helped you to settle in quickly and do well with your work. We are pleased to hear that you

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

get lots of help and encouragement from your teachers. They make sure that you know your targets so that you can continue to improve. One of the best things about your school is the way that you work and play together. Your behaviour is excellent and we were delighted to see how well you get on at playtimes. You do not have much space to play in but, because you behave so well, there are no problems and you all seem to enjoy being outside. We are pleased to see that you are beginning to have a say in the way the school is run through your school council. We would like you to have even more chances to put forward your views. We think that those of you in reception should be able to have some choosing time. Your teachers are going to find ways of letting this happen.Once again, thank you very much for your help. You are rightly proud of your school. We are sure that you will carry on working hard and doing well and we wish you good luck for

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

the future. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 18 °19 October 2005

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