Hermitage Primary School

Hermitage Primary School Inspection report

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100936 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276424 Inspection number 15 °16 November 2005 Inspection dates Barbara Atcheson 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 Josee Brisebois Chair Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Vaughan Way School address London E1W 2PT

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020 7702 1037 Telephone number 020 7702 4458 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 15 °16 November 2005 Inspection dates 276424 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

The school serves one of the most deprived inner city areas in the country. The majority of pupils come from families whose economic circumstances are much lower than those usually found. The school has a high percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals. One fifth of the pupils have special educational needs. Three quarters of the pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, a significant number of whom are Bangladeshi. Attainment on entry is very low particularly in language. In September 2003 the school was identified as having serious weaknesses. Since that time there has been a significant change in staffing.

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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: Hermitage Primary School, 15 °16 November 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Raise standards in all subjects to match those in English, mathematics and science* Extend the opportunities for class teachers to have access to and use the schools system of tracking pupils' progress* Improve standards in mathematics for more able pupils in Years 1 and 2.

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Grade:

A rigorous programme of monitoring and well targeted support and training has vastly improved the quality of teaching and learning. Teachers know how to challenge all pupils. They use the interactive white boards well to enhance pupils' learning and have high aspirations for their pupils. Very good subject knowledge and an insistence on accuracy ensure that learning is secure. Planning is clear in English, mathematics, science, and information and communication technology but is not as focused in other subjects. All support staff are very effective in working with groups and individuals to ensure that all pupils make good progress. Teachers know their pupils well and use this knowledge effectively to match work to pupils' differing abilities. Parents say they are 'very impressed with teachers' attention to detail when discussing our children'. The high quality of teachers' marking clearly identifies pupils' next steps in learning.

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Grade:

The school systems for assessment are not yet used effectively by all teachers.

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Grade:

Positive improvements since the last inspection mean that the quality of the curriculum is now good. Pupils are well equipped for their future because the school correctly focused on improving their basic skills. To help pupils make the most of what they learn and to use their skills, teachers link subjects together when they plan activities. For example, in one lesson pupils' learning in history was linked to their writing and computer work.A good range of after school and lunchtime clubs means pupils develop creative and sporting skills, often supported by members of the local community. This, together with the school's healthy eating initiatives, helps pupils improve their levels of fitness and understanding of the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

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Grade:

The school places a very high priority on pupils' welfare. As a result, the school is a happy and secure place where pupils thrive. One parent writes how the teachers 'are very caring and conscientious in their efforts to draw out the best in the children'. Parents are kept well informed 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Hermitage Primary School, 15 °16 November 2005 of what is happening in school and are invited to offer their views. Pupils have regard for their own and others' safety in lessons and at playtimes, when they are very well supervised. Effectively organised and relevant assemblies and circle times are very significant features in promoting pupils personal development. Excellent systems identify which pupils need most support. Health and safety routines and risk assessments are fully carried out. Very effective means of dealing with bullying and racism are in place and recorded incidents are low. Very

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Grade:

close links with outside agencies help to provide strong support for vulnerable pupils. Child protection procedures are securely in place.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Hermitage Primary 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: Hermitage Primary School, 15 °16 November 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you very much for making us so welcome when we visited your lovely school. We were very impressed with how keen you are to learn, and how much you enjoy your lessons. We think your teachers and teaching assistants do a superb job and get the best out of you. They work very hard to care for you and make sure everyone is valued. It is clear that you are making very good progress, and the new marking system helps you to see this. You behave well in class and around the school, and look out for one another. You already work very hard in English, mathematics, science and ICT. We would now like to see you work just as hard in other subjects. We would also like to see the top groups in Year 1 and Year 2 working even harder in mathematics. When all your teachers are using the schools' system to check on your progress they will be able to give you even more support just when you need it. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Hermitage Primary School, 15 °16 November 2005

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