Marion Richardson Primary School

Marion Richardson Primary School Inspection report

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100911 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276420 Inspection number 17 °18 November 2005 Inspection dates Charalambos Loizou 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 Mrs Jo Everest Chair Mr J C Ridgley Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Senrab Street School address Stepney London E1 0QF

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020 7790 1441 Telephone number 020 7702 7330 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 17 °18 November 2005 Inspection dates 276420 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

This popular primary school serves an ethnically diverse community in Stepney, East London. A very high proportion of the pupils speak English as an additional language. The large majority are Bengali speakers whose families originated from Bangladesh and most of these started school in the early stages of English language acquisition. Just over one in ten of the pupils are from white British backgrounds and a smaller number are of black African heritage. A very high number of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Many pupils join or leave the school at other than the usual times. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties is in line with the national average but the proportion with a statement of special need is higher than average. Attainment on entry is low when pupils start school. The school provides an excellent range of activities before and after school hours and has extensive links with outside agencies,

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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: Marion Richardson Primary School, 17 °18 November 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Continue using the school's highly effective monitoring and support to improve the teaching further so that more good teaching becomes excellent* Continue implementing current measures to reduce unauthorised absence rates further.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are good with some outstanding features. The long term effect of the teaching, combined with the high standards of personal development and the expectations of the leadership team, enable pupils to make outstanding progress. An important strength is the way in which language and literacy skills are developed in the Reception year and in Years 1 and 2. The teaching of pupils for whom English is not their first language is particularly effective. The individual needs of pupils who have learning difficulties are very well catered for. Outstanding teaching is much more vigilant when assessing pupils' work with clear targets for improvement that help the pupils to move on to the next stage of their learning. Some of the teaching, although good, varies in pace so that for short periods in lessons the pupils' progress slows. The grouping of pupils by ability for English and mathematics is very effective, especially

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Grade:

when lessons are fast paced and challenging. This accounts for the increasing proportion of pupils reaching higher levels. Support staff are very well deployed to respond to those who need additional help. In the outstanding lessons seen teachers mark pupils' work very effectively but in some classes marking does not involve the pupils in their own assessments or time to reflect on their work.

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Grade:

The school offers an outstanding curriculum. Nursery and Reception children enjoy a good curriculum with an increasing emphasis on outdoor learning. The strong focus on literacy and mathematics means that pupils are very well prepared for secondary school. Provision for ICT has improved very well since the last inspection and pupils use computers confidently as a result. The provision made for enrichment activities is excellent. There are strong links with local and national bodies. As a result, the pupils have many extra opportunities through, for example, 'Sport England'. Gymnastics and dance have a very high profile: pupils compete successfully in inter-borough competitions and take part in national events such as the launch of the London Olympic bid. At the time of the inspection the pupils were enjoying their preparations for a gymnastic performance at the Royal Albert Hall. These activities develop

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Grade:

confidence that enable them to achieve very well in academic subjects. The school is very 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Marion Richardson Primary School, 17 °18 November 2005 committed to including all pupils and providing high quality resources and support for those with learning difficulties. In addition, there is high quality provision for those learning English as an additional language.

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Grade:

The school provides outstanding care, guidance and support. The leadership team and staff value the pupils and support them very well. Consequently, the pupils are confident that the staff know them as individuals. The pupils confirm this and say that 'if you need extra help you get it'. There are strong links with the community and with outside agencies. Vulnerable pupils are identified and, where required, their families are given effective support. The staff ensure that all pupils are included and have access to all activities. This ensures that pupils with special needs are very well supported. The pupils in the early stages of learning English get the support they need and this is highly effective. Pupils' academic progress is monitored effectively, including the progress of pupils who leave and join the school at different times. Systems for child protection are fully in place and are understood by all staff. Pupils are confident that any

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Grade:

instances of bullying will be dealt with effectively. The very strong personal, social and health education programme gives pupils excellent guidance and preparation for citizenship.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Marion Richardson Primary School, 17 °18 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: Marion Richardson Primary School, 17 °18 November 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you very much for helping the inspectors. We enjoyed talking to many of you. We were very pleased to see how much you like school. We know this because many of you arrive early each day for extra sport, gymnastics or dance practice. We are also very pleased to see how hard you work in lessons. The inspectors would like to wish you the very best of luck when you perform at the Royal Albert Hall shortly. The dance and gymnastics clubs and the 'flying squad' are superb! Keep it up and we hope that many of you reach the very high standards you are aiming for, especially in time for the London Olympics! We believe that your school is excellent and so is your behaviour. Mr. Ridgley, your teachers and other staff care for you very well and are very proud of you all. Your parents like the school very much and we know this because many have written to us saying so. We also know that you do very well in the national tests in Year 2 and Year 6 in English, mathematics and science.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We have asked your teachers to carry on doing the things that make your school an excellent place to learn and play. We have asked them to keep on checking that all lessons help you do as well as you can. We are pleased to see that many families are doing their best not to take long holidays during school times, and we want all parents to work with the school to carry on doing this. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Marion Richardson Primary School, 17 °18 November 2005

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