Thomas Buxton Primary School

Thomas Buxton Infants' School Inspection report

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100930 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276422 Inspection number 8 °9 November 2005 Inspection dates John Stewart 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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Infant Type of school Community School category 3 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Guy Nicholson Chair Ms Nicola Horton Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Buxton Street School address London E1 5AR

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02072475343 Telephone number 02072475343 Fax number

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3 °7 Age group 8 °9 November 2005 Inspection dates 276422 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

Thomas Buxton is a two-form entry school that is located in a very disadvantaged area of East London. A very high percentage of pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, most of them from Bangladeshi origins. The majority of pupils do not speak English on entry and many have low verbal skills in their own language. The proportion of pupils receiving free school meals is much higher than in most schools. The percentage of pupils with special educational needs is above that in many schools. Over the last two years there has been an extensive building programme at the school, but the school has managed to ensure the safety and well - being of the pupils. The school received the School Achievement Award in 2002 and 2003. It has also received: the Basic Skills Quality Mark; Investors in People status; the Tate Modern Young Artists award and an Educational Business Partnership Award.

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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: Thomas Buxton Infants' School, 8 °9 November 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

What the school should do to improve further * Continue to improve attendance.* Ensure that assessments at the end of the foundation stage are moderated to ensure better accuracy when judging standards and pupils' progress. * Further develop the roles of middle managers.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are good throughout the school. Relationships between teachers and pupils are excellent and create a very positive learning environment enabling pupils to learn effectively and make good progress. Teachers have high expectations for behaviour and, as a result, pupils display excellent attitudes to their learning. Lessons are very well planned to be suitable to the needs of all pupils. There is a very clear focus on developing language skills, especially speaking and listening, which enables pupils to access the activities effectively. Nursery nurses and teaching assistants provide good support, especially for pupils at an early stage of learning English, thus enabling them to make good progress. For example, the school operates a 'morning club' in which teaching assistants support the most vulnerable pupils who have statements of special educational needs or very limited language skills. The school has

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Grade:

good systems to assess and track pupils' progress. Targets are set for groups of pupils and the school is developing a system to set individual targets more accurately, in order to raise achievement.

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Grade:

The curriculum meets statutory requirements and is good overall, with some elements that are outstanding. The curriculum is planned very well to meet the specific needs of all pupils. For example, the very clear focus on improving pupils' language skills across the curriculum is a significant feature in enabling pupils to make good progress. The school places great emphasis on the creative areas of music and art which contribute very well to pupils' cultural, personal and social development. Work in art is outstanding and this has been recognised with both local and national awards. Pupils use computers regularly with the number currently available similar to national average levels. This is significant as many pupils do not have computers at home. The curriculum for the Foundation Stage is good and supported by a good range of resources. Provision for outside play has improved well since the last report. As a result, pupils

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Grade:

enjoy their activities and make good progress in their language and physical skills.Learning is greatly enriched by an outstanding range of visits and the many visitors to school contribute 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Thomas Buxton Infants' School, 8 °9 November 2005 extremely well to pupils' knowledge and understanding. Extra curricular opportunities are good with before school and lunchtime activities available

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Grade:

The care, guidance and support given to pupils are outstanding. Parents speak highly of this aspect of the school's work and appreciate it greatly. A before - school club, for example, provides breakfast for pupils in need of this facility. The school has good systems to monitor pupils' progress and makes good use of the data to ensure that the needs of all groups of pupils are addressed. However, the assessments made of standards in the Foundation Stage give too positive a picture of progress and need further moderation to ensure accuracy.Teachers know their pupils very well. Pupils express confidence in their teachers and teaching assistants, knowing that any problems they face will be dealt with fairly. There is a clear culture of mutual respect and all staff provide pupils with good personal support and guidance. The school is careful to ensure the health and safety of its pupils. Teachers, nursery nurses and teaching

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Grade:

assistants have a good understanding of procedures for child protection. They support vulnerable pupils and those with learning difficulties sensitively. Procedures for risk assessment are well established and the school seeks outside advice whenever necessary in order to ensure pupils' safety.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Thomas Buxton Infants' School, 8 °9 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: Thomas Buxton Infants' School, 8 °9 November 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We were very pleased to visit your school recently and really enjoyed seeing you working in your classrooms and talking to you about your school. We are pleased that you like your school so much. We thank you very much for the cards that you sent us to welcome us into your school. We think that yours is a good school, and we also saw some excellent features. The main strengths that we saw were:* Teaching is good and it helps you to make good progress. * You enjoy all the activities in your lessons and are very happy in school.* Your teachers really care for you and help you to be safe in school.* You behave really well in class and around school. * All your teachers are working hard to improve your school. We identified some things which could be better. * Some of you could attend school more regularly.* Teachers should assess the progress pupils make in nursery and reception classes more accurately.* Teachers should find out how well you are learning in each of your

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

subjects.Dan and I hope that you keep enjoying your school so much. Yours Sincerely John Stewart Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Thomas Buxton Infants' School, 8 °9 November 2005

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