St James' Church of England Primary School

St James' Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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100829 Unique Reference Number Southwark Local Authority 276398 Inspection number 10 °11 November 2005 Inspection dates Derek Watts 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 Mr Simon Hughes Chair Ms Karen Willis Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Old Jamaica Road School address Bermondsey London SE16 4SU

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02072373111 Telephone number 02072321849 Fax number

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5 °11 Age group 10 °11 November 2005 Inspection dates 276398 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

St James' Church of England is a smaller than average size primary school with 202 pupils on roll. About 55 percent of pupils are from a white British background and about 20 percent are from a Black African background. The remainder are from a range of other ethnic backgrounds. About 13 percent of the school's pupil population have English as an additional language but only a few are at an early stage of English language acquisition. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is above average. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is in line with the national average. Pupils' attainment on entry to the Reception class is below average. A higher than usual proportion of pupils join and leave the school other than at the normal starting and leaving times. A new head teacher took up the post in September 2005.

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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: St James' Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 November 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

The school has a clear and well focused improvement plan and has made a good start on the following:* Raising all pupils' achievement from satisfactory to good.* Increasing the consistency of good teaching and learning.* Extending and developing the role of other leaders

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall and matches the school's evaluation. Teaching and learning are good in Reception. Teaching here is lively and children are motivated by the interesting activities. There are examples of good teaching and learning in other year groups but this good practice is not consistent across the school. Teachers manage the pupils well and have established very good relationships. Lessons have clear learning objectives so that pupils know what they are to learn. Teachers' presentations are enhanced well by the recently installed computer linked whiteboards. Explanations, demonstrations and questioning are used well to promote learning. Teaching assistants effectively support pupils' learning particularly those with special educational needs.In a Year 3 English lesson, pupils had very good opportunities to work in pairs, taking turns in acting out an animal pose while the partner described the

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Grade:

characteristics. A high quality demonstration by the teacher and teaching assistant beforehand successfully set the scene. This creative approach provided ideas for pupils to write animal poems which were vivid and lively.In other good lessons, activities were interesting and well matched to pupils' different abilities. The lessons progressed at a good pace and pupils made good progress. However, where teaching is satisfactory rather than good, the pace of learning is not as high. Furthermore, tasks are not always sufficiently well matched to pupils' different abilities and so they are not suitably challenged. Assessment and tracking procedures have been improved recently and the data is being used well to set individual learning targets in English and mathematics.

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Grade:

The school believes that its curriculum is satisfactory and inspectors agree. Pupils are offered the full national curriculum with an effective personal and social education programme. Provision for English, mathematics and science is improving. There is a good range of extra-curricular activities and visits, including a breakfast club, an after-school club, sports clubs, and visits to places of interest such as Trafalgar Square to celebrate England's cricket success in the recent Ashes Series. There are plans for a residential trip next year. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: St James' Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 November 2005

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Grade:

Care, guidance and support are good. The school is a very cheerful place with the pupils learning and playing happily. This is because they feel safe and secure. One Year 6 pupil said, andquot;I love it here, I just don't want to leaveandquot;. Pupils gain in confidence as their needs are considered and respected by all staff in the school. Every pupil is known and treated as an individual and this contributes strongly to the harmonious and welcoming atmosphere. Health and safety routines and risk assessments are good. Child protection procedures are thorough and well-understood and teachers have received appropriate training. Pupils are aware of their targets for improvement. Pupils with special needs, and those for whom English is an additional language, receive good support.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: St James' Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 November 2005 .

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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: St James' Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 November 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you so much for welcoming us into your school and for showing us your work. We really enjoyed talking to you. We would like to tell you what we found out about your school. * Children in Reception have settled into school well and are doing good work.* You enjoy school and take part in activities well.* Children at St James' are friendly, polite and most are very well behaved.* Most of you get on very well with other pupils and adults.* The head teacher and staff make sure you are safe and well cared for.* You all look very smart in your burgundy and gold school uniform.* There is a good range of clubs and visits which you clearly enjoy.* Your new head teacher is doing a good job and has made good changes to help you achieve even more. There are a few things that could be better:* All teachers should try to make sure work is not too hard or too easy for you* Some groups of children are doing better than others but your

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

head teacher and staff are working hard to make sure you all do well.Finally, we would like to thank you once again for all your help. We wish you well in the future. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: St James' Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 November 2005

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