John Scurr Primary School

John Scurr Primary School Inspection report

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100906 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276419 Inspection number 5 °6 October 2005 Inspection dates Mary Summers 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 Ms Sybil Cock Chair Mr F Tarrant Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Cephas Street School address London E1 4AX

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02077903647 Telephone number 02077027563 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 5 °6 October 2005 Inspection dates 276419 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 three additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

John Scurr Primary is a popular school for children aged three to eleven years. It caters for 489 pupils who come mainly from Bangladeshi backgrounds although many other ethnic groups are represented. Most speak English as an additional language and about a third start school with no English at all. Most come from the large housing estates surrounding the school, which often provide limited play space. The number of pupils entitled to free school meals is far higher than in most schools. There are more pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities than are found in most schools.

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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: John Scurr Primary School, 5 °6 October 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Ensure that provision in Y1 meets the widely differing needs of the children transferring from the Reception class.* Extend the good assessment systems in English and mathematics to other subjects and involve pupils more in assessing their own progress.* Extend the role of governors in directing and monitoring the development of the school and evaluating the success of their policies and budget decisions.

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Grade:

Inspectors agree with the school's assessment that teaching and learning are generally good. They are particularly effective in the Nursery and in Years 2 and 6 where pupils' progress is especially good. Specialist teaching in music promotes high standards as well as a real love of the subject. In most classes, work is well matched to pupils' different needs and this helps pupils of different capabilities make effective progress. Children moving from Reception to Year 1, however, have a range of different needs and the current provision is not wholly effective in meeting these needs. Senior staff are aware of this and plans to review and improve this provision are already underway. Teachers have good relationships with the pupils and manage them well. Lessons are focused and well-organised so pupils can concentrate on their work without interruption. Very good use is made of modern technology to present lessons in a

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Grade:

stimulating way. This makes lessons lively and interesting and pupils really enjoy them. Assessment is satisfactory. There are some good arrangements to monitor pupils' progress in some subjects but not in others. The school is aware of this and also aware of the need to involve pupils more in their learning by ensuring that they understand their individual targets for improvement.

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Grade:

Senior managers rightly assess the quality of the curriculum as good. Pupils enjoy all the planned activities and lessons which often make sensitive reference to pupils' own Asian culture. Whilst there is an emphasis on English and mathematics, all subjects receive a sufficient amount of taught time, meeting statutory requirements. The curriculum for children in the Foundation Stage provides well for all areas of their learning. From an early age, they learn how to be independent and use their initiative.The school makes excellent use of the local environment and community groups to make learning exciting and enjoyable. Residential trips are extremely valuable in giving pupils the experience of working and living together away from home. Pupils also appreciate the good range of extra-curricular activities, particularly in sport and music. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: John Scurr Primary School, 5 °6 October 2005

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Grade:

They love to sing and have performed in the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall. They also benefit tremendously from links with a local secondary school and the Action Zone, which supports a range of subjects including drama and the arts.

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Grade:

Inspectors agree with the school's assessment that these aspects are good. Parents are also very supportive of the school's work and care for their children. Pupils are safe and healthy and feel secure in school. Adults have a thorough knowledge of pupils' needs and share information effectively. One pupil said 'Teachers make sure that everyone can join in everything.' This enables children to thrive socially and supports their good progress. The careful, thorough work done to help pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities enables them to feel valued and make good progress. Pupils are given a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle, and can put this into practice through the wide range of provision for sport. The programme for personal, social and health education is good overall, but not enough attention has been paid recently to drugs education. The newly appointed co-ordinator has already established good plans to

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: John Scurr Primary School, 5 °6 October 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: John Scurr Primary School, 5 °6 October 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for welcoming us to your school last week and thank you especially to those children who spent time talking with us, and telling us their views and ideas. I am pleased to tell you that we agree that your school is a good school. We were especially pleased with these things:* Your headteacher and deputy headteacher really do a great job in organising the school and looking after you.* You reach good standards in your work.* You behave well, work hard and listen carefully to your teachers. This helps you succeed at school. * All the adults in the school look after you very carefully. They make sure that you get help if you need it.* Your teachers give you interesting work in lessons.* They organise some very good activities outside the normal school day to make learning exciting and enjoyable. Your teachers are already trying to improve some things and we are pleased about that. They want to check how well you are getting on in different subjects and try to involve you more in

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

this process. They are looking at the work that children in Year 1 are doing to see that it is helping them to make enough progress. Although the headteacher is doing a great job, he could do with a bit more help from school governors.Once again, thank you for telling us about your school. We hope that you will continue to work hard and do well in the future. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: John Scurr Primary School, 5 °6 October 2005

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