Granton Primary School

Granton Primary School Inspection report

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100564 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276330 Inspection number 18 °19 May 2006 Inspection dates Jane Chesterfield 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 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Carol Littler Chair Mrs Linda Courtney Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Granton Road School address London SW16 5AN

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02087646414 Telephone number 02086793403 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 18 °19 May 2006 Inspection dates 276330 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is a large primary serving a diverse community in South London. Most pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and about a third speak English as an additional language (EAL). The main groups represented are Black Caribbean, Black African and White British. Mobility of pupils is high. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) is just above the national average. Over a third are eligible for free school meals. The school has been re-awarded Investors in People status and the Basic Skills Mark.

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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: Granton Primary School, 18 °19 May 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Improve standards in pupils' creative and imaginative writing in the Foundation Stage and Years 1 and 2.* Improve standards in practical mathematics and problem solving throughout the school.* Improve the quality of marking to help pupils understand how to make their work better.

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Good teaching and learning enable pupils throughout the school to make good progress and enjoy learning. Children in the Foundation Stage make a good start because basic social and communication skills are well taught. In Years 1 to 6 there is a good emphasis on discussion and questioning which helps teachers assess pupils' knowledge and extend their speaking skills. This is an important factor in why those with EAL make good progress. Pupils with LDD make good progress because they are well taught. Work is usually well planned and matched to all pupils' needs. For example, pupils are organised into ability group in Years 5 and 6 and this helps them to achieve well. However, there is insufficient emphasis on teaching practical problem solving in mathematics in Years 1 and 2 and this slows pupils' progress. While there is a good emphasis on promoting many aspects of writing in Years 3 to 6, there are missed opportunities to extend creative and imaginative writing

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from Reception to Year 2. Teachers give pupils positive encouragement but their marking does not always link directly to pupils' targets or give sufficient guidance on how they might improve. As a result, this limits the development of pupils' thinking and skills.

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The school provides a good curriculum that covers all requirements and is enhanced by the chance to learn Spanish and French. There is a strong emphasis on basic skills, especially reading, speaking and listening. Imaginative links between subjects make learning meaningful for pupils. For example, pupils learnt about fractions while planning a 'global village' in literacy and geography. The school accurately identifies elements of writing and mathematical problem solving as gaps in its provision. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Granton Primary School, 18 °19 May 2006 The good range of extra activities, including residential trips and visits, ensures that pupils enjoy learning and adopt healthy lifestyles. The curriculum enriches pupils' personal and social development well, for example through events such as the Carnival Arts Week, which contributed to pupils' enjoyment, skills and confidence. Following requests from pupils, the school has

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increased sporting opportunities, so that they enjoy taking healthy exercise.

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The quality of care, support and guidance is good. Staff understand pupils' academic and pastoral needs well. The school meets requirements for child protection and risk assessments. Bullying and racist incidents are very rare and are handled well. Staff are consistent in applying the school's programme for behaviour management.The identification of, and support for, vulnerable pupils are outstanding. Excellent links with outside professionals and high quality individual education plans help nurture pupils with LDD. Support staff are committed and well trained. The many pupils who arrive mid-year are helped to settle in well and provision for those with EAL is excellent. A Somali pupil said, 'this school welcomes everyone; it doesn't matter where you're from'.Pupils know the challenging targets they are working towards. However[v1], work is not always marked in a way that helps pupils to progress. Although pupils

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are taught about keeping healthy, they are not always helped to make healthy choices at lunchtime.

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5 of 7 Inspection Report: Granton Primary School, 18 °19 May 2006 .

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in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Granton Primary School, 18 °19 May 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you for being so helpful and pleasant when we visited your school. We really enjoyed meeting and talking to you. We agree with you that Granton Primary is a good school and we know that you enjoy going there very much. You are all doing well in your lessons because your teachers know you well and know how to give you the work that is right for you. This means that you can get on with it and learn new things. Your lessons are interesting and the clubs and games available to you at lunchtime and after school are good fun. We were very impressed with your behaviour around the school and in the playground, and we thought that those of you who help others and the school as playground buddies or mediators, or as members of the school council, are doing a first class job. The staff take good care of you all and those of you with particular needs are very well supported. Mrs Courtney and her colleagues run the school well, and know how to make it even better in

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

the future. We have agreed that those of you in nursery, reception and Key Stage 1 are going to have the chance to use your imaginations more in your writing, and that all of you are going to have more chance to solve problems in maths. Your teachers are going to make sure that their marking helps you understand what you need to do to improve your work. Well done to you all and best wishes for the future. Jane Chesterfield Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Granton Primary School, 18 °19 May 2006

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