Rushey Green Primary School

Rushey Green Primary School Inspection report

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100701 Unique Reference Number Lewisham Local Authority 276370 Inspection number 1 °2 March 2006 Inspection dates Jacqueline Krafft 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 Owen Hylton Chair Yana Morris Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Culverley Road School address Catford London SE6 2LA

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020 8698 5001 Telephone number 020 8697 8241 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 1 °2 March 2006 Inspection dates 276370 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 of schools and two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Rushey Green is a large primary school with a nursery. It serves a culturally diverse community with high levels of deprivation. The percentage of pupils eligible for free schools meals and the number of pupils who start or leave the school at different times are high. Pupils are from a very wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds, the largest group being of black Caribbean heritage. A high proportion of pupils speak a language other than English as their first language. The percentage of pupils who have learning difficulties or disabilities has increased since the previous inspection and is now higher than average. The school has a hearing impaired resource (HIR) for 12 pupils.

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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: Rushey Green Primary School, 1 °2 March 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

Focus on:* Systematic and rigorous monitoring and evaluation at all levels to accurately identify and plan how to improve standards, especially in science;* Improving day to day assessment, including marking, so that work is more closely matched to pupil needs, especially the more able;* Setting challenging, measurable targets so that pupils know how well they are doing and what they need to do to improve.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are satisfactory. Relationships are good and pupils are well managed, which ensures that pupils are ready to learn. There is a good focus on using ICT to support learning. For example, pupils use the internet to research presentations with sound and pictures. Emphasis is given to the development of basic literacy and numeracy skills, although the work for higher ability pupils is not always sufficiently challenging to meet their needs.The best teaching is in the Foundation Stage where there is a very strong focus on learning through investigation and discussion. Pupils quickly learn to make decisions for themselves and are helped to make good progress in important speaking and social skills. This is especially so for pupils learning English as an additional language. For example, pupils are questioned and encouraged to use new words when playing, making models and cooking biscuits. Marking is

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Grade:

inconsistent. The best examples give pupils encouragement and guidance on how to improve, but there is not enough of this. Less effective marking consists of ticks and very few comments on how to develop their thinking and understanding, as evident in science work where learners are not clear about how to reach higher standards.

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Grade:

The curriculum is satisfactory and meets statutory requirements. The school is starting to plan good links between subjects to make learning more relevant and purposeful. However, it is not yet able to guarantee that all subjects are covered in sufficient depth. The curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is good. Provision for the youngest pupils is good so they are given a good start for future learning. The school satisfactorily develops pupils' basic skills and is good at helping pupils to grow in confidence through the strong emphasis it places on developing their personal and social skills. The provision for ICT, which was a weakness at the time of the last inspection, is now good. The school organises a wide range of out-of-class activities. These attract many pupils and make a strong contribution to pupils' learning and 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Rushey Green Primary School, 1 °2 March 2006

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Grade:

enjoyment. A well planned programme of visits and visitors adds extra enjoyment and understanding.

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Grade:

The school judges its provision for the care of pupils to be good, and in some respects the inspection team agrees. However, overall, the school's provision is satisfactory. The school provides good day-to-day care for its pupils. It is an orderly, calm and friendly community in which pupils learn happily. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities have clear personal education plans which are used to make sure that they achieve well. The school deals effectively with any incidents of bullying or misbehaviour and pupils feel safe. The procedures governing the safety and protection of pupils are satisfactory, but some records are out of date and lack sufficient detail.The guidance provided to help pupils improve their work is satisfactory. However, the school's systems for checking the progress of pupils are only just being developed in English and mathematics. In other subjects, there is no overview of the progress made by pupils. This

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Grade:

means the school is not fully effective in ensuring that some groups, such as those who are more able, make as much progress as they should.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Rushey Green Primary School, 1 °2 March 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: Rushey Green Primary School, 1 °2 March 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you for making us feel so welcome when we visited your school. We enjoyed our visit, looking at your work and seeing you in lessons. We especially liked talking with so many of you. We think your school gives you a satisfactory education. What we liked most about your school* You work hard for your teachers and enjoy your lessons* You behave well, are polite and care for each other* You have lots of extra activities and clubs which you enjoy* You use computers well and have done some interesting work with them* Those of you who find work difficult get the help you need* Your parents are happy with the school. What we have asked your school to do now* Find out more about what will make the school even better* Give some of you work that will make you think even harder* Make sure your targets help you know how well you are doing and how you can do even better.We would like to thank you again for making us so welcome and hope that you carry on working hard and

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

enjoying being at school. Yours sincerely Jackie Krafft HMI Her Majesty's Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Rushey Green Primary School, 1 °2 March 2006

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