Old Church Nursery School

Old Church Nursery School Inspection report

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100885 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276410 Inspection number 15 °16 November 2005 Inspection dates Sue Vale 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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Nursery Type of school Community School category 3 °4 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Phil Warburton Chair Ms Peggy Messer Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Walter Terrace School address London E1 0RJ

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020 7790 2824 Telephone number 020 7265 8686 Fax number

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3 °4 Age group 15 °16 November 2005 Inspection dates 276410 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 Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

Old Church Nursery is a larger than average nursery school with 118 children on roll. It is situated in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in one of the most economically deprived areas in England. Over 80% of families come from minority ethnic groups and has English as an additional language. The majority come from the Bangladeshi community. There are currently 12 different languages spoken by families of children in school. Children enter nursery with below average levels of attainment in all areas of early learning. Most children start with little or no English and with lower than average speaking and listening skills. The majority of children in the school are three year olds with many starting soon after their third birthday.

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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: Old Church Nursery School, 15 °16 November 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Continue with the development of the outside area so that plans already in place can be carried through.

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Grade:

The inspection confirms the nursery's view that teaching and learning are good. Lessons are well prepared. Good knowledge of the early years curriculum and how young children learn ensures that activities are well planned and relevant. The emphasis which is given to providing an exciting and stimulating curriculum by teachers means that children want to participate and are eager to try out new activities. Support staff work well with those with learning difficulties. The needs of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds are effectively met. Bilingual support assistants work well in supporting the development of children's language. For example, a small group of children who are in the early stages of learning English were supported well by a teacher and bilingual support assistant in learning new words. The practical 'hands on' activity of dressing the teddy bear, and the use of both Bengali and English, ensured that children were

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Grade:

clear about what they were learning and reinforced their new vocabulary. Children share ideas and equipment well, benefiting from sensitive intervention which helps them to improve. Basic skills are taught thoroughly. Children genuinely enjoy learning. They are proud of what they do. Adult observations of what the children know and understand have shown the rapid progress they make. Children make their own independent choices in these observations about what they would like collected in their 'special books'.

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Grade:

The curriculum is outstanding. Excellent knowledge of how young children learn ensures that staff plan and prepare activities which really influence and inspire children to want to learn. Basic skills are taught well through encouragement and exciting practical 'hands-on' activities. There is good use of information and communication technology. The curriculum caters for the needs of all children very well but is particularly strong in the development of early literacy and communication skills. This ensures good progress in all areas of learning and in particular for the children who are at the early stages of learning English. The curriculum is further enhanced by visits to places of interest such as Oxleas Wood. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Old Church Nursery School, 15 °16 November 2005

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Grade:

The staff provide good support for the pupils through their day-to-day care. They are well informed and kept up to date. The school's arrangements for safeguarding and protecting children are good and all staff have recently been trained in child protection procedures. Relationships between children and adults and between home and school are good. The nursery provides an inclusive, safe, caring environment. Staff know pupils well. Assessment is used carefully to give all pupils individual targets in each of the six areas of learning.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Old Church Nursery School, 15 °16 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: Old Church Nursery School, 15 °16 November 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for all your help when I visited your nursery. I enjoyed watching your lessons and your play and talking to some of you. This is what I found out. * You behave very well and obviously enjoy all the activities the teachers set out for you to do.* What you learn is really exciting.* The staff look after you well.* The teachers are very good at explaining things to you and they make sure that you keep busy. * In lessons, you work hard and do your best.* You make good progress in your learning.* Your headteacher and all the staff work very well together as a team and provide you all with a good start to your education. For your nursery to get even better they need to continue with the plans they have to develop the outside area.Thank you once again for letting me meet you. I enjoyed myself very much. Best wishes Sue Vale, Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Old Church Nursery School, 15 °16 November 2005

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