Clapham Manor Primary School

Clapham Manor Primary School Inspection report

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100560 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276329 Inspection number 20 March 2007 Inspection date Carmen Rodney HMI 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 Community School category 2 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 445 School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Nigel Haselden Chair Mr Brian Hazell Headteacher 7 February 2000 Date of previous school inspection Belmont Road School address Clapham London SW4 0BZ

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020 7622 3919 Telephone number 020 7622 0043 Fax number

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2 °11 Age group 20 March 2007 Inspection date 276329 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 one of Her Majesty's Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is larger than most primary schools. It serves a ward with areas that suffer from a high rate of social and economic deprivation. The school draws its pupils from a diverse range of cultural heritages. The largest ethnic groups are Black Caribbean and White British, with equally smaller groups of pupils of African, Bangladeshi, White European, Indian, Portuguese and Vietnamese heritages. Of the pupils, 36.9% are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average. At 45%, the proportion of pupils speaking a language other than English is well above average, and 29% are at the early or intermediate stage of learning English. The proportion of pupils with a special need or a disability is above average. The school has a small Nursery with 26 children. A Children's Centre opened in June 2006 with the aim of raising achievement in Early Years. The centre is a focal point of the extended school provision. The

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Description of the school

school achieved a wide range of awards in 2006, notably, the Bronze Eco Award, Basic Skills Quality Mark, Healthy School's Award and Active Mark. A new extension is being built and will open in the spring term, 2008.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. Parents rightly see the school as a progressive place. They rightly believe that the school enables their children to achieve so well because of the very strong foundation in basic skills, which prepares them for the future. The school enjoys an excellent relationship with parents and a few related personal stories of their children's achievements because of the specialist support available and personalised work programme. The attention given to pupils' care, guidance and support is exemplary. There is no complacency among the senior leaders, teachers and governors. They set challenging targets and there is commitment to monitoring and evaluating pupils' achievement on an individual basis, by groups and as a whole school. Assessment data is very well managed and interpreted so that all groups have equal opportunities to achieve well. Teachers involve pupils in marking and evaluating

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Grade: 1

their progress from the Foundation Stage onwards so they can understand how well they are doing and how to improve their work. Although most children join the Nursery with very modest skills, below those expected of three-year-olds, they make good progress in beginning to learn basic literacy and numeracy. Pupils' achievement accelerates as they progress through the school because of the outstanding teaching, curriculum and the use of assessment information to track progress and provide appropriate support. By the time they begin Year 1; most children exceed the goals expected of them particularly in personal, creative and physical development. By the end of Year 2, standards are broadly average and progress is good. The school recognises that literacy and numeracy skills could be higher by the end of Year 2 because pupils are still not fully secure in applying basic skills. By the end of Year 6, pupils' increased mastery in literacy and mathematics

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Grade: 1

lead to them reaching above average standards in English and mathematics and high standards in science in the national tests. Overall, this represents good progress with some outstanding features. Pupils' enjoyment of learning is given a high priority and is linked to the outstanding teaching and curriculum. Teachers have high expectations and are relentless in their efforts to make sure that no pupil underachieves. The most effective teaching strategies are identified and the benefits of good practice are spread widely. For instance, practical and interactive activities are used in science and are now extended to other subjects to improve standards further. Pupils' personal development and well-being are outstanding. Enjoyment is evident in the pride they display when talking about the school. They behave very well, enjoy taking on responsibility and most attend regularly. Pupils seize opportunities to promote their independence and

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Grade: 1

appreciate all that the school offers them. The school's success in achieving its aim of providing the 'highest quality of education through effective teaching and learning regardless of pupils' ethnicity, faith, gender or ability' is linked to the outstanding leadership and management of the headteacher, senior leaders and governors. The headteacher has been very effective in sustaining an established senior team and stable staff who work very well together. Regardless of the senior team's long years of service, they welcome new initiatives and training and use research findings to improve provision. One of the school's outstanding strengths lies in the teamwork of all staff who work together for the benefit of the pupils. For example, they monitor each other's work and make a significant contribution to new members settling themselves in the school. Planning for future improvement is far-reaching and changes are evaluated and carefully recorded. The rigour and effectiveness

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Grade: 1

4 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007 of improvement since the last inspection, current planning and self-evaluation show that the capacity to make further improvement is outstanding.

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What the school should do to improve further

• The school improvement plan accurately identifies the need to raise standards further in Key Stage 1.

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Grade: 2

When the low starting point of pupils is taken in to consideration, achievement is good with outstanding progress in science. In Year 6, standards have been significantly better than the national and local authority average for the last four years. The school sets and meets challenging targets which are often exceeded in science where standards are consistently high. Pupils achieve well irrespective of their ethnicity, ability or gender. In particular, those with special need achieve exceptionally well. Overall, pupils make rapid progress and grow in confidence as they progress through the school. Although an increasing number of children enter the school with little or no English, intensive specialist support and outstanding teaching help them to make good and often better progress. Children in the Foundation Stage make good progress based on the good quality provision. By the end of Year 2, standards are broadly average

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Grade: 2

because literacy skills are still being consolidated. The school recognises the areas of weaknesses and is already using a wide range of strategies to improve pupils' basic literacy and numeracy skills particularly in the Foundation Stage and in Years 1 and 2.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' attitudes and behaviour are exemplary as is their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Throughout their time at the school, pupils develop a very good range of personal skills and consideration for others. They enjoy school, have a very positive approach to their learning and make positive contributions to the school and the wider community. For example, they take responsibility for others as playground friends and use the school council to initiate changes such as successfully arguing for new state of the art toilets. Additionally, their thoughtfulness is extended to a local hospice. They thrive well in a community that values their cultural heritages and opinions. Pupils, like their parents, appreciate the way in which the school prepares them well for the future and Year 6 pupils value their records of achievement. Pupils have a good grasp of eating healthily, know how to keep themselves safe and insist that

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Grade: 1

they can turn to an adult and use the message or worry box if they have a concern. Pupils confidently explained that if any bullying occurs, it is dealt with immediately. Attendance is good and has improved since the last inspection. However, a small minority of parents continue to take their children on holiday in term time, which affects the overall attendance rate.

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Grade: 1

The exemplary work of the teachers is central to the good and often rapid progress that pupils make. Teachers set high expectations and pupils rise to the challenges. Throughout the school, there is a very clear understanding of how pupils learn. Teachers therefore use information and 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007 communication technology (ICT), practical activities, and draw on pupils' experiences to place learning in context and give them a 'hands on' approach. As a result, pupils learn very well and they are encouraged to become independent learners. For example, in a Year 1 literacy booster lesson, basic skills were reviewed and consolidated very effectively because the teacher used demonstration, a puppet as a mouthpiece and a themed song with actions. The pupils were able to write sentences accurately with some using complex vocabulary. There is high quality specialist support to meet the different needs of pupils. For instance,

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Grade: 1

pupils with a special need, those at risk of underachieving or those learning English are very well supported by teaching assistants. The specialist support leads to them becoming more confident and minimises any future difficulties. There is tangible evidence from parents who speak about their children coming on 'in leaps and bounds' because of this kind of support. Discussions with pupils and lesson observations indicate that they appreciate the 'practical and fun activities', the opportunities to give 'their opinions' and good quality marking which ,they say, 'helps them to understand how they are doing and how they can improve'.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is outstanding because it responds well to individual needs and stimulates pupils' enthusiasm for learning. Subject managers review the curriculum regularly and keep abreast of changes very well. For example, they are in the process of trialling new schemes of work in preparation for the planned changes nationally. Creativity is at the heart of the curriculum and contributes well to pupils developing good basic skills. For example, close monitoring of results and work led to the introduction of the special writing project to improve composition skills and vocabulary. This is carefully tailored to pupils' needs, particularly boys, and is leading to pupils developing a flair for creative writing. The curriculum is planned to recognise other cultures and makes an excellent contribution to pupils knowing about different legacies and people. After-school clubs offer additional enrichment such as Spanish lessons, which is taught

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Grade: 1

Care, guidance and support are outstanding and contribute very well to pupils' progress, enjoyment and well-being. One of the school's main strengths is its detailed and systematic use of assessment information to track pupils' progress by gender, ability, ethnicity and free school meals. Termly and annual assessments are used to identify progress and underachievement. The careful attention to detail ensures that action is taken swiftly to support pupils. Procedures to ensure pupils' health and safety are very effective and meet legal requirements. Very good internal systems, such as the learning mentor, and strong links with external agencies ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable pupils are fully met.

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Grade: 1

Leadership and management are outstanding because of the excellent guidance and dedication of the headteacher. A committed deputy and senior leaders support him. The strong team work inspires loyalty from all staff, governors and parents to support the school. The senior leaders' 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007 evaluation of the school's progress is perceptive. The school improvement plan is well conceived and tailored to match the Every Child Matters agenda to ensure that the momentum for change is not slackened. Consistent and analytical monitoring and evaluation findings are used to inspire and challenge staff to work towards achieving the challenging annual targets. The school's success in sustaining performance and keeping provision under review have been key factors in moving it forward and developing middle and senior managers. Governors have a range of expertise; they are vigorous in their support and have no reservations about challenging

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Grade: 1

the school's targets and performance. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007 .

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Grade: 1

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007

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Inspection judgements

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

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Overall effectiveness

How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 2 The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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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 1 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The behaviour of learners 2 The attendance of learners 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 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

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and interests of learners?

1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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and interests of learners?

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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007

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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 How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you all for taking part in the inspection of your school and welcoming me. Special thanks to the group of four ambassadors who escorted me around the school and talked so proudly about their personal achievements and the work you all do. I am writing to give you some feedback about how well your school did in the inspection. Your school is giving you an excellent education. The teachers make sure that you work very hard and as a result, you do so well in the national tests. In these tests, some of you make outstanding progress particularly in science. You and your parents are very proud of your school. This is because the teachers give you a great start to your education. The teaching is excellent and I agree with you that you learn very well when your teachers go through the success criteria, give you targets, do fun and practical activities and use ICT. You are given opportunities to do lots of research projects, make power

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

point presentations and take part in many different activities. Your behaviour and attitudes are superb. You really do enjoy learning and are so positive about all the subjects. In fact, I think you love doing every subject. You said that the work is hard but you would like to have more challenging work. Well, your teachers are waiting to pile on even harder work! The school takes very good care of you. Your teachers and all the adults who help you take a lot of time to mark your work and test results to find out how they can help you to improve further. This is really good because as you said, they set clear targets which help you to know the next steps. Your school also makes sure that you know how to keep healthy. Some of you showed off your good knowledge of protein foods when you told me about the healthy and 'yummy' meals which you will always remember. Your headteacher, teachers and governors are doing a fantastic job. They want you to do very

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

well and have great plans in store. For example, there is the new extension, Childrens' Centre and a new playground space is planned to fulfil your wish. Your school plans to make sure that your results get even higher particularly by the end of Year 2. I hope that as you continue to work hard, you will always enjoy your school. Carmen RodneyLead inspector HMI 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Clapham Manor Primary School, 20 March 2007

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