Church Hill School

101266 Unique Reference Number Barnet Local Authority 276481 Inspection number 15 °16 May 2006 Inspection dates Mike Smith 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 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Martin Last Chair Ms Rebecca Mottershead Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Burlington Rise School address East Barnet Barnet EN4 8NN

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02083683431 Telephone number 02083681602 Fax number

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4 °11 Age group 15 °16 May 2006 Inspection dates 276481 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

Church Hill is an average sized community primary school in East Barnet. Pupils come from a broad socio-economic background. A few pupils are from different minority ethnic groups and the proportion learning English as an additional language is currently very low. A small number of pupils are eligible for free school meals. A larger than average number of pupils have learning difficulties or a statement of education needs. The headteacher was appointed in September 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: Church Hill School, 15 °16 May 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Create more opportunities to share the best teaching practice across the school. * Improve standards further by prioritising the identified areas for improvement.

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Grade:

Teaching is good, and as a result pupils do well in their lessons as all staff work effectively together to ensure that work is well matched to their individual learning needs and challenging targets. This ensures there is good progression in their learning. Relationships between staff and pupils are excellent, as is the behaviour and attitudes of the pupils to their learning. Although teaching is good overall, including in the Foundation Stage, there are examples of outstanding practice. Support staff ensure that all pupils fully participate in lesson activities and their independent learning skills are encouraged. Pupil assessment is increasingly well used to inform teacher's planning and there is regular monitoring and evaluation of lessons by senior staff where supportive feedback is given. The excellent practice observed could be shared more widely across the school. In these outstanding lessons, a wide range of stimulating and

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Grade:

motivating activities are dynamically delivered with effective use of resources to ensure that pupils' needs were carefully met. There is effective monitoring and evaluation of pupil progress and achievement and it is made very clear to pupils how they may improve. There is a positive ethos of reward and celebration in lessons where learning is made fun and where expectations are high.

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Grade:

The school has a good, and balanced curriculum that covers all subjects well and meets the needs of all learners, from the Foundation Stage onwards. The creative arts are particularly well catered for, alongside good provision for the learning of key skills. This includes information and communication technology (ICT), where the provision is currently undergoing significant improvement. The school has recently placed greater emphasis on progression in learning, as pupils move up the school. Teachers are using what they know about pupils' attainment to organise group activities so that all pupils make good progress in lessons. This is already having an impact on standards, and is making learning more interesting and relevant. One pupil said, 'lessons are great, you get to learn all sorts of interesting things'. The taught curriculum is further enriched by a good range of extra curricular activities. For example, French club, yoga,

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Grade:

multi-sports, and football. School journeys, including extended visits such as that to Exmoor 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Church Hill School, 15 °16 May 2006 for Year 6 pupils, are much appreciated. Concerts and performances are a regular feature. The school band offers scope to play almost any orchestral instrument, and produces a splendid sound. The inspectors really enjoyed band practice at lunchtime. Activities such as these contribute significantly to the ethos of the school and its feeling of community.

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Grade:

The school provides a good level of care, guidance and support. It places the individual pupil at the heart of everything it does and expectations are high. Good teamwork ensures that the individual needs of all pupils are met and targets are carefully matched to their needs and interests. Academic, personal and social progress are monitored, assessed and increasingly used to plan the next stage of development. Parents are very complimentary about the school and appreciate the good communication between the school and themselves. One parent said, 'the school is outstanding in terms of the care and well being of the child and we receive information about everything'. The school has created a warm, friendly, learning environment in which pupils are feel safe and can thrive. Pupils say that 'adults are friendly, they listen to us and they look after us'. The arrangements for child protection are well managed and risk assessments for continued pupil

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Grade:

safety are efficiently carried out. A wide range of school opportunities enhances and develops pupils' confidence and independence and effectively prepares them for their next stage of learning.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Church Hill School, 15 °16 May 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: Church Hill School, 15 °16 May 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils We really enjoyed visiting your school and I would like to thank you for making us feel so welcome. I would particularly like to thank the School Council for telling me all about their activities and the school band for making lunch break so entertaining. There were many things we liked about your school:* You, and your parents and carers are right to think that you go to a good school.* Your behaviour is excellent and you really enjoy your lessons. You work hard and make good progress as a result of the good teaching and the support you get in lessons.* Your teachers and support staff work really hard to make sure your different needs are met and they make sure you are safe at all times.* Your headteacher runs the school really well and has helped to improve lots of things that make your life in school so enjoyable.* You have lots of interesting trips out of school and other activities after school

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

that you enjoy attending.* Your school knows what it is good at and how it can improve even more. There are two important things the school can do to make it even better:* The outstanding teaching in some of your lessons can be shared between teachers more effectively.* All the areas that the school wants to improve must have a positive effect on your learning and progress. Once again, thank you for your help and making our visit such a pleasant one. Mr M Smith Lead inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Church Hill School, 15 °16 May 2006

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