Christ Church Primary SW9

Christ Church Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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100610 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276343 Inspection number 29 °30 June 2006 Inspection dates Nick Butt 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 5 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Reverend Christopher Skilton Chair Mrs Wendy Jacobs Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Cancell Road School address North Brixton London SW9 6HN

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02077351343 Telephone number 0207840 0692 Fax number

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5 °11 Age group 29 °30 June 2006 Inspection dates 276343 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

This smaller than average school serves an inner-city area. Around half of the pupils are eligible for free school meals. Four fifths of pupils come from minority ethnic groups, the largest being those from Black Caribbean backgrounds. Almost half of the pupils are learning English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is above average. Pupil mobility is high. The headteacher joined the school in September 2005, following an unsettled period in its leadership. There are plans to form a federation between this school and another Lambeth school led by the same headteacher. The school is due to be rebuilt on the same site in 2007-2008.

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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: Christ Church Church of England Primary School, 29 °30 June 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Increase opportunities for pupils to apply their basic skills in all subjects, so raising standards. * Increase the pace of teaching in those lessons where it is weaker and ensure that teaching assistants have sufficient guidance to extend pupils' learning. * Improve attendance.

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Grade:

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory, with some examples of good and better teaching. Teachers provide lively displays that show pupils how to improve their work. Pupils are making better progress because teachers are becoming more skilful at matching the work to their different levels of ability, including those with learning difficulties. The impact of this shows clearly in Year 6 with much improved results this year. Good systems of assessment have been put in place and are consistently used by all teachers. They make effective use of the interactive whiteboards to interest pupils and broaden their experiences. One pupil said, 'Our learning's improved because of whiteboards and the ICT suite.' In successful lessons, teachers use a wide range of strategies to involve pupils, with a mixture of partner and group work as well as focused whole class teaching. In some classes, teaching assistants do not have enough

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Grade:

guidance to extend pupils' learning. Occasionally, pupils are kept on the carpet too long listening to the teacher, which slows the pace of learning. The teaching of pupils who are learning English as an additional language takes account of their needs and helps them to make satisfactory progress.

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Grade:

The curriculum is now satisfactory and all statutory requirements are met. Teachers have benefited from considerable support from staff in the partner school in the federation. Even so, there are limited opportunities for pupils to apply the basic skills of English, mathematics, science and ICT in other subjects. The curriculum adequately meets the needs of all pupils, including those with learning difficulties and those who speak English as an additional language. A good example of an inclusive and innovative project involved pupils in Years 3 and 6, who devised dances that were filmed and edited by their classmates to make a permanent record. This was a very enjoyable experience and built up their self-confidence. One pupil said, 'Different classes working together achieve more goals.' A programme of visits has been introduced, and 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Christ Church Church of England Primary School, 29 °30 June 2006

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Grade:

links established with a school in the Lake District. There is a reasonable range of clubs that pupils can join.

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Grade:

Provision for care, guidance and support is good. Staff work well together to make the school a safe, welcoming place in which every child is valued. Pupils say they feel safe in school because there is always an adult to go to if they are in difficulty. Procedures for child protection are robust and staff are fully aware of their responsibilities. Systems for promoting pupils' health and safety and for assessing risks are in place and rigorously applied by all staff. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are given sound support and benefit from the school's good links with other agencies. Those who speak English as an additional language settle in quickly to school and their development is carefully monitored. The school's revised marking scheme means that most pupils now receive good feedback about their work. Good systems to track pupils' progress are beginning to have a positive impact on their achievement.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Christ Church Church of England Primary School, 29 °30 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: Christ Church Church of England Primary School, 29 °30 June 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you very much for welcoming us to your school. We enjoyed speaking to you and hearing your views. We agree with you that your school has improved a lot this year, and that you are learning better. You behave well and we know that you enjoy coming to school. It is a shame that some of you do not come a bit more often, as attendance is poor! We like the attractive displays in your classrooms and around the school, and the new ICT suite. Your teachers make good use of the new whiteboards to make your lessons more interesting, but sometimes you have to sit too long on the carpet. The staff care for you well and give you good guidance about improving your work. In some classes the teachers and assistants could work more closely together to make sure that you get all the support you need. We are glad that you feel that your learning is more fun now, especially because you are more involved in lessons. We loved the dance video, and enjoyed seeing the drumming lessons. We

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

are encouraging your teachers to do more creative things to make the curriculum even more exciting for you to enjoy. You may like to give them some suggestions. For example, we know you are keen to visit the pond to study its wildlife. We have also asked them to give you more opportunities to use your literacy and numeracy skills in other subjects.Many thanks again for making our visit so enjoyable. We think your school has come a long way in the past year and is now really going places!With best wishes, Yours sincerely, Nick Butt Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Christ Church Church of England Primary School, 29 °30 June 2006

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