Northside Primary School

Northside Primary School Inspection report

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101296 Unique Reference Number Barnet Local Authority 276492 Inspection number 22 °23 June 2006 Inspection dates Jeffrey White 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 Graham Old Chair Ms Gina Thompson - Newman Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection 2 Albert Street School address North Finchley London N12 8JP

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02084454730 Telephone number 02084468598 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 22 °23 June 2006 Inspection dates 276492 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 is very ethnically diverse with a very high percentage of pupils whose first language is not English. Pupils of Asian background form the largest ethnic group and about a third are at a very early stage of learning English. Pupil mobility is very high with about 20% of pupils, in the main school, who are asylum seekers or refugees. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is above average. Free school meals eligibility is very high. Attainment on entry to the Foundation Stage is very low. The headteacher has been at the school for less than two years.

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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: Northside Primary School, 22 °23 June 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Ensure pupils are involved in reviewing and setting targets for their writing. * Make sure that marking consistently helps pupils to improve their work.

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Grade:

The Foundation Stage is well organised with a good focus on developing the children's learning especially in literacy, communication skills and personal development. Pupils throughout the school respond very well to the good teaching and make good progress. A significant strength is the promotion of pupil's oral English. Lessons are well planned and pupils' work is generally well matched to the wide range of their abilities. Teaching assistants and support staff are very well deployed and contribute substantially to pupils' learning. Teachers' discipline and fostering of pupils' personal development are extremely good and consequently pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are highly positive. Teachers make good use of assessment findings to organise their classes, for grouping pupils by ability and for setting targets. However, targets for individual pupils' writing are not reviewed regularly enough. This means that pupils are not always aware of the progress they have made.

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Grade:

The quality of marking is inconsistent and ranges from good to weak.

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Grade:

The curriculum is good. It covers all external requirements and responds well to the needs of the community. Overall, the provision for English, mathematics and ICT has a positive impact on pupils' achievement. Children in the Foundation Stage respond well to the challenging and stimulating learning opportunities. The range of pupils' needs is well met, particularly for those who enter the school with little or no understanding of English. The most able pupils and those with learning difficulties or disabilities are well provided for. The very wide diversity of ethnic traditions is used well to enhance and enrich lessons. Good links are made between subjects such as art and literacy. Pupils have recently enjoyed an interesting range of art related activities. This included a visit from a group of Japanese women, one of whom enthralled the pupils with her traditional dance. Sporting activities are good and greatly help the pupils to develop healthy life-styles, as does

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Grade:

the attention given to helping pupils to eat healthily and stay safe. The very good range of out of lesson activities further enriches the curriculum. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Northside Primary School, 22 °23 June 2006

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Grade:

Pupils respond well to the good care, guidance and support. The school is a harmonious community, in which pupils feel valued and cared for. Health and safety procedures are regularly reviewed. Secure arrangements for child protection are implemented and adults work in cohesive teams to carry out their responsibilities. Partnership with parents is positive. Pupils are taught how to take care of themselves and to make healthy and safe choices. A 'healthy eating' menu for school lunches has recently been introduced. Pupils have confidence in the adults in school. A school councillor remarked, 'if you don't understand something the teachers explain it in more detail'. Pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities are well provided for. All statutory requirements are carried out and support from within the school, and from partner schools and external services, is well organised and effective. The headteacher and teachers make good use of data

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Grade:

on pupils' performance to provide whole school targets for improvement. However, the review of individual targets for writing is not regular enough and pupils are unsure of their progress.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Northside Primary School, 22 °23 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: Northside Primary School, 22 °23 June 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Children Thank you for your help on our visit to your school. You have a good school and you told us how much you enjoy it. Your behaviour is excellent and you all get on very well with each other and have positive attitudes. Your headteacher, teachers and support staff teach you well so that you make good progress especially in learning English. They also ensure that you are safe and are learning how to be healthy. Your headteacher, staff and governors want you to do well and give you good support. I have asked your teachers to help you more when they mark your work and when they set targets for your writing. With best wishes, Jeff White Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Northside Primary School, 22 °23 June 2006

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