Paxton Primary School

100577 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276335 Inspection number 18 °19 January 2006 Inspection dates Tusha Chakraborti Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

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

p.1

The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Ron Ellis Chair Ms Arziye Craig-Kemal Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Woodland Road School address London SE19 1PA

p.1

02086702935 Telephone number 02087666843 Fax number

p.1

3 °11 Age group 18 °19 January 2006 Inspection dates 276335 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 two Additional Inspectors.

p.3

Description of the school

Paxton Primary is situated in the Gipsy Hill area of the London Borough of Lambeth. The school serves families from a variety of social and educational backgrounds. The majority of pupils are of Black or Black British-Caribbean or African heritage and the rest are from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds. Over 30% of pupils are entitled to free school meals. Nearly 25% of pupils speak English as an additional language and nearly 18% of them are at the early stages of learning English, which is high. Twenty-three per cent of pupils have learning difficulties or disabilities. The attainment of children on entry to the school is below average.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Paxton Primary School, 18 °19 January 2006

p.3

What the school should do to improve further

* Improve the pace of learning in Key Stage 1* Ensure that the new assessment system is thoroughly implemented in Years 1 and 2.

p.4

Grade:

The quality of teaching and learning is good in Foundation Stage and in Years 3-6. Teaching is satisfactory in Years 1 and 2 and pupils' progress slows down as a result.Teachers have good subject knowledge and plan well to provide pupils with interesting activities. They engage pupils effectively in their learning and encourage them to work together and independently. They have very good relationships with pupils, value their contribution to class discussions and have high expectations of their work and behaviour. As a result pupils behave well and work well together. Most lessons have a good pace and challenging questioning ensures that pupils make good progress, particularly in English and mathematics in Years 3-6. In a Year 6 literacy lesson, effective questioning by the teacher successfully enhanced pupils understanding of how to retrieve information from texts. The support staff are used effectively to enhance pupils'

p.4

Grade:

learning. Where teaching is satisfactory, teachers do not present this level of challenge and lessons move at a slow pace. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they can.A rigorous assessment system is in place to ensure higher standards across the school, especially in Years 1 and 2. This is being used effectively to track pupils' progress. As a result, writing in Year 2 is beginning to improve.

p.4

Grade:

The curriculum meets most pupils' needs well, helps them to enjoy their education and, for most, to achieve as well as they can. The Foundation Stage curriculum is good. It gives children a fine start to their education. The curriculum across the school provides a broad range of experiences, for example, different musical skills are nurtured through the andquot;Sound Startandquot; initiative which provides various instruments that can be practiced at home. Pupils talk keenly about visitors to their school and enthuse about dance, drama and computer work. The school knows that there is scope for extending the range of extra-curriculum activities and has plans in place to improve this. A good, established partnership between parents, carers and teachers through the Curriculum Events day, contributes effectively to extending learning at home. Parents join in healthy food tasting sessions and have joined pupils in making a mural

p.4

Grade:

for the local park. A parent writes, andquot;Our three sons would be all the poorer had they not had the education Paxton has provided them.andquot; 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Paxton Primary School, 18 °19 January 2006

p.4

Grade:

The school gives outstanding care to its pupils, considerably contributing to their enjoyment. This is supported by most parents, one of whom wrote andquot;The school is wonderful with a safe, caring atmosphere, with happy, polite children.andquot; Strong support is given to pupils with emotional behavioural or learning difficulties. As a result, these pupils achieve well. All staff are involved in drawing up their special programmes and careful checks are made on their progress. There is strong support for vulnerable pupils through links with a range of specialist agencies and from other pupils who are andquot;Buddies.andquot; Health and safety checks are regular and risk assessments are robust. The recently established assessment procedures are very effective for older pupils in particular, who know the levels they are reaching. Teachers regularly make comments on pupils' work, showing how they can improve it.

p.5

Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Paxton Primary School, 18 °19 January 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: Paxton Primary School, 18 °19 January 2006

p.6

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for welcoming us when we inspected your school. We were able to talk to some of you in small groups but we met many others around the school and in classes. We were impressed by your behaviour and you were most courteous and polite. You told us how you feel safe in the school. We are pleased to tell you that we agree that your school is a good school. We were especially pleased with these things:* You make particularly good progress in Years 3-6 and achieve what is expected of you in mathematics and science. Your work has improved over the past years, especially in mathematics and science.* You behave well. You work hard and listen carefully to your teachers. This helps you learn well.* You understand the importance of staying safe and healthy very well and take part in the wide range of physical activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.* Your teachers give you interesting work in lessons and have high expectations of

p.7

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

your work and behaviour.* All adults in the school really do a great job in organising the school and looking after you. Although most of you are doing well, those of you in Years 1 and 2 are not doing so well. We have asked your teachers to ensure that all of you achieve well. The headteacher and other staff in your school recognise this and are working hard to keep a closer check on how you are doing. You will, of course, need to co-operate with them and work hard to achieve higher standards in future.We hope that you will continue to work hard and do well. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Paxton Primary School, 18 °19 January 2006

p.7