Richard Atkins Primary School

Richard Atkins Primary School Inspection report

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100578 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276336 Inspection number 12 °13 June 2006 Inspection dates Daniel Brian Evans 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 Mr Nigel East Chair Ms Julie Roberts Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection New Park Road School address Brixton Hill London SW2 4JP

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02086745601 Telephone number 02086740156 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 12 °13 June 2006 Inspection dates 276336 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 3 Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Richard Atkins Primary is a larger than average primary school. It is located in an area of rented council housing. There is a very diverse mix of ethnic groups in the school. Half of the pupils are from White and Black Caribbean or African backgrounds. The proportion of pupils with English as an additional language is well above average, the most common languages being Somali, Spanish and Portuguese. Pupil mobility is high. Just over half the pupils are entitled to free school meals. The number of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is well above average. There are two pupils with statements of special educational need. The headteacher is in her second year at the school and recent staff turnover has been high.

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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: Richard Atkins Primary School, 12 °13 June 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Ensure that expectations of what pupils are capable of achieving are consistently high and they know how to improve their work. * Improve teachers' subject knowledge in mathematics. * Improve attendance.

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Grade:

Provision overall is satisfactory. Teaching is satisfactory overall but is inconsistent from class-to-class and varies between good and unsatisfactory. Pupils are learning satisfactorily overall because their progress is supported well by a good range of additional opportunities which supplements their classroom work. They are eager to learn and those with learning difficulties or at the early stages of learning English make good progress. The nursery environment is particularly stimulating and creative. Teaching assistants are well deployed and effective. There are examples of good teaching and learning across the school. In a Year 5 English lesson, the teacher knew all the pupils so well that she was able to ensure that they were all working enthusiastically towards their individual literacy targets. However, aspects of numeracy, in particular investigative and problem solving skills, are not developed

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Grade:

well by teachers. In weaker lessons, particularly where teachers' subject knowledge is insecure, pace and teachers' expectations are too low and pupils are involved too little in the lessons. Teachers' day to day assessments are also inconsistent although improving as new procedures are integrated into teachers' planning.

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Grade:

The curriculum is satisfactory. The new planning formats ensure that all national requirements are met. Provision for literacy, numeracy and ICT is satisfactory. Teachers' planning ensures that opportunities are taken to teach basic skills in all subjects. Nationally produced plans are being adapted to match the needs of the pupils. The Foundation Stage curriculum is good and those pupils with learning difficulties are well provided for. The curriculum is suitably enriched by a programme of visits and visitors. This includes a number of visitors from minority ethnic groups, such as an Indian story teller. The school makes good use of the local environment, encouraging pupils to act as responsible members of the community. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Richard Atkins Primary School, 12 °13 June 2006

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Grade:

The care, guidance and support provided by the school are satisfactory. Adults in the school community work well together to care for pupils. Provision for pupils at an early stage of acquiring English and for those with learning difficulties is good. There are good induction and support procedures for new admissions. Teachers' use of assessment to support lesson planning and pupils' learning is uneven; a number of pupils are not sure as to how to improve their work. The good pastoral system helps pupils learn from each other, with older pupils taking responsibility for younger 'buddies'. Links with outside agencies have strengthened considerably since the last inspection. Procedures for ensuring that pupils feel safe and secure around school are good. Parents are very positive about what the school is doing and confirm its view that their children receive satisfactory care, guidance and support.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Richard Atkins Primary School, 12 °13 June 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: Richard Atkins Primary School, 12 °13 June 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you for welcoming us to your school and telling us about your work. We enjoyed our visit. There are things about your school that we like very much. * You were polite and a pleasure to talk to.* Your work on display in the school is good and shows that most of you are keen to work hard and learn.* Many of you are aware of how to live healthily and join in activities outside lessons.* The 'buddy' system helps you to feel safe. We know after talking to you that you can do even better and so we have asked the school to work with you to* improve your work even further* become more confident mathematicians and* improve attendance. Yours sincerely Brian Evans Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Richard Atkins Primary School, 12 °13 June 2006

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