Halley Primary School

100938 Unique Reference Number Tower Hamlets Local Authority 276426 Inspection number 19 °20 June 2006 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 Sue Barrow Chair Wendy Otterburn-Hall Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Halley Street School address London E14 7SS

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020 7265 8061 Telephone number 020 7702 7637 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 19 °20 June 2006 Inspection dates 276426 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

This popular school serves a predominantly Bangladeshi community. Most pupils speak English as an additional language and 90 children are in the early stages of learning it. A large number of pupils are entitled to free school meals. The number of pupils with complex learning difficulties and disabilities has increased over recent years and currently the proportion is higher than average. Consequently, there are more specialist and support staff than in most schools. The headteacher recently retired and the deputy was appointed to the role. A new deputy has been appointed to begin in September 2006.

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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: Halley Primary School, 19 °20 June 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve provision in the nursery • Review and strengthen the leadership and management of the provision for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Grade:

High quality teaching is at the heart of pupils' excellent achievement. One pupil remarked, 'The best thing about this school is the staff, especially the teachers.' Children's learning is tracked meticulously from the moment they arrive in the nursery. Teachers are skilled at making accurate assessments and use these well to provide appropriate challenges for the pupils in lessons. For example, pupils in Year 6 worked at different levels on challenging numerical problems involving their swimming lessons. Pupils worked very well together, exchanging ideas and clarifying the problems. Pupils with additional difficulties and disabilities and those with English as an additional language are very well supported. The work set in class and the extra help they receive in small groups mean they take the next steps in their learning confidently. Teachers work hard to make learning interesting and enjoyable. Pupils in Year 2 were enthralled

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Grade:

by the pictures and information about sharks that the teacher showed them using the interactive whiteboard. They keenly offered ideas about what the text might contain, making notes to help them with subsequent tasks. School leaders are very aware of occasional instances where the teaching is less than good and are taking appropriate steps to improve provision. This includes the nursery, where the teaching, whilst satisfactory, does not provide enough challenge for the most able pupils.

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Grade:

A rich and a stimulating curriculum, that reflects the backgrounds and needs of the community, contributes well to pupils' excellent achievement and personal development and is an outstanding feature of the school. Pupils' literacy and numeracy skills are extremely well supported through other subjects. They research history and geography topics using the Internet to help them and write out reports and poems using the wireless laptops. Changes in the way that literacy has been taught have led to significant improvement in boys' achievement in Years 1 and 2 this year. A special mathematics programme involving parents and children contributes 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Halley Primary School, 19 °20 June 2006 greatly to pupils' excellent achievement in the subject. Pupils are enthused and stimulated by an outstanding programme of school visits and out of school clubs reflecting their needs and interests. 'Chitter-Chatter Club' for example, helps Year 3 children develop their language skills

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Grade:

in Bengali as well as in English. Clubs are extremely well attended and contribute greatly to pupils' achievement, self esteem and experience of success.

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Grade:

Outstanding care, guidance and support enable pupils to achieve high standards in their work and personal development. Specific social and emotional needs are met extremely well by the learning mentor who works closely with class teachers and parents. Pupils always know they have someone to turn to if they have a problem. 'Adults listen to us,' remarked one member of the school council. Meticulous assessment procedures track pupils' development and trigger intervention programmes which ensure all groups of learners make expected or better progress. An excellent programme of personal and social opportunities promotes healthy living and results in pupils becoming confident and socially and morally aware. The school works closely with a range of external agencies to meet pupils' all-round care and development needs. There are secure arrangements for risk assessments and child protection.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Halley Primary School, 19 °20 June 2006 .

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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: Halley Primary School, 19 °20 June 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils We want to say a big thank you for your warm welcome and for sharing with us your views about the school. Peter and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you in lessons and chatting with you in the playground and at lunchtime. Everything we saw and heard convinced us that you go to a really excellent school. Although Wendy and the other staff and governors are still keen to make the school even better, we think it is really just a case of keeping up the splendid work they do already. Your school is brilliant in lots of different ways.:) You work really hard and achieve excellent standards:) You are very well behaved and considerate towards others:) The teachers make lessons interesting and fun and help you to succeed:) Wendy and the other school leaders do a great job:) You show great enthusiasm for all the lessons and other activities:) All the adults in the school look after you well and help you feel safe and happy.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

There is nothing really new to do - some improvements are already happening in the nursery and Wendy and the governors are thinking about how to keep a closer check on the arrangements for children with special learning needs.We can see that you enjoy coming to Halley and we would like to wish you well in the future. Yours sincerely Mary Summers Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Halley Primary School, 19 °20 June 2006

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