Ravenstone Primary School

Ravenstone Primary School Inspection report

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101017 Unique Reference Number Wandsworth Local Authority 276441 Inspection number 30 November °1 December 2005 Inspection dates Lynn Bappa 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 Mr Chris Ralph Chair Mr A Millington Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Ravenstone Street School address Balham High Road London SW12 9SS

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02086730594 Telephone number 02086738166 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 30 November °1 December 2005 Inspection dates 276441 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

Ravenstone is a two-form entry school serving an extremely diverse community. There are far more boys than girls on roll. The school has experienced increasing mobility in recent years with pupils arriving and leaving throughout the year. The proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals is well above average and is rising. The percentages of minority ethnic pupils and pupils who speak English as an additional language are well above average and rose significantly in 2005. There are several refugees and 38 pupils at the early stages of learning English. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is above average and rose significantly in 2005.

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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: Ravenstone Primary School, 30 November °1 December 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Continue to improve standards and achievement in mathematics and science.

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Grade:

The school judges teaching as good and inspectors agree. Lessons are lively and purposeful with all pupils fully engaged in the activities. Teachers have high expectations of behaviour and pupils enjoy their lessons and want to work hard. Lessons are planned well with work that is matched to pupils' capabilities. Good teaching has ensured that pupils are able to make consistently satisfactory progress overall, despite the challenging circumstances that the school faces.Procedures for assessing pupils' work are improving and pupils understand what they need to do to get better. The school is developing increasingly effective support strategies which can be used when pupils are not doing as well as they should. For example, this term, teachers have revised their approach to scientific enquiry and there is a current focus on mental arithmetic. These initiatives are already having a positive impact on pupils' standards and

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Grade:

achievement.Teachers and teaching assistants are well aware of the needs of pupils with learning difficulties as well as of those whose first language is not English. They are given good support in their learning.

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Grade:

Inspectors judge the curriculum to be outstanding because it is so rich, particularly in the field of performing arts. The school has received national recognition for dance. All pupils enjoy weekly music and dance lessons taught by specialists. The curriculum is further enriched by the teaching of French. The physical education programme is particularly diverse and includes judo, swimming and gymnastics. Pupils' art work is of a high standard and is regularly displayed in local venues as well as around the school.The school has a very extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, including sports clubs (enhanced by links with a local premier football club and the neighbouring sports college), an orchestra, and regular productions in which every child in the school takes part.

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Grade:

The quality of pastoral care is outstanding. Staff are highly committed to pupils' well being and safety. They do much to raise pupils' self esteem and help them become better learners. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Ravenstone Primary School, 30 November °1 December 2005 Child protection procedures are effective and well understood by everyone. Pupils are convinced that any bullying incidents are dealt with quickly and fairly and feel very confident in approaching their teachers for help. Parents refer to the school as having 'a warm and inviting atmosphere where children are happy and fulfilled'.Pupils' progress is beginning to be tracked with increasing rigour to check whether target levels are being achieved. Pupils are aware of their targets for improvement and these are shared with parents on open days. Pupils with learning difficulties are given good support to help them achieve as well as other pupils.The school makes very

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Grade:

good use of outside support agencies so that children benefit from specialist help when needed.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Ravenstone Primary School, 30 November °1 December 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: Ravenstone Primary School, 30 November °1 December 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Not long ago we came to your school to see how you were getting on and whether there was anything we could suggest that would make the school better. You made us very welcome and we enjoyed meeting you. Thank you and well done! We would also like to thank you for the Christmas puddings that some of you made for us. We were with you for two days. That was long enough for us to realise that Ravenstone School is a good school. These are the best things about your school:* You are friendly and polite to each other and to adults in the school. You work hard to make sure that everyone feels welcome.* You behave very well and work hard in your lessons.* We think you are lucky to have music and dance lessons every week. You are also fortunate to be able to learn French and to have so many interesting things to do after school and at lunchtime.* Those of you in Nursery and Reception have settled in well and enjoy doing lots of interesting things. We liked

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

watching some of you rehearse your Christmas songs. You listen and share well.* Your headteacher and the other teachers run your school well and work very hard to make it even better.* Your parents and carers are right in thinking that you go to a good school. This is what you have asked your school to do now:* Make sure that when you are in Key Stage 2 you do as well in mathematics and science as you do in English. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Ravenstone Primary School, 30 November °1 December 2005

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