Ellen Wilkinson Primary School

Inspection Report Ellen Wilkinson Primary School

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102759 Unique Reference Number Newham LEA LEA 276767 Inspection number 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006 Inspection dates Lyn Riley AI Reporting inspector

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This inspection was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Tollgate Road School address Primary Type of school London Community School category E6 5UP 3 to 11 Age range of pupils 020 7511 9414 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 020 7474 0798 Fax number 456 Number on roll Dawn Hutcheon Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Sue Ferguson Headteacher 27 January 2004 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 276767 2 May 2006 - 3 to 11 3 May 2006 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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

Ellen Wilkinson is a larger than average primary school serving an area of significant social and economic deprivation in East London. The largest groups of pupils are of White British and Black African heritage. The proportion of pupils learning English as an additional language is well above average and the number of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is also high. The school has a high number of pupils who leave or join the school during the academic year. The school was identified as having serious weaknesses at the time of its last inspection in 2004. A new headteacher was appointed following the previous inspection.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Ellen Wilkinson Primary School provides a good standard of education and the school's previous designation as having serious weaknesses no longer applies. The headteacher's rigorous evaluation of the school's strengths and weaknesses provides an accurate view of the school's performance. However, the inspection team disagree with the school's judgements on their overall effectiveness, the curriculum and leadership and management as inspectors consider these to be of a higher standard than the school's own evaluation has judged them to be. The school's more modest judgements reflect the headteacher's very high expectations and clear vision for further school improvement. The senior leadership team support the headteacher wholeheartedly, work enthusiastically together and share a strong commitment to school improvement. From very low starting points, children make good progress in the Foundation Stage

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Grade: 2

but standards are still below age-related expectations when they enter Year 1. In Year 1 and Year 2 the quality of teaching is satisfactory and pupils make satisfactory progress. Teaching is consistently good in Years 3 to 6 and this enables all pupils to make good progress and achieve well in relation to their starting points. The school has good monitoring, pupil tracking and assessment systems but the presentation of pupils' work and the quality of teachers' marking is inconsistent. The school works tirelessly to tackle low attendance but, despite the school's best efforts, attendance remains below average. Parental support for the school is very positive. The governing body is well organised and ensures all statutory requirements are met. The budget is managed well. The school has made significant progress since the last inspection, has good capacity for further improvement and provides good value for

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve the quality of teaching and learning in Year 1 and Year 2 to ensure that all pupils make good progress and fulfil their potential • Improve the quality of teachers' marking so pupils are clear as to what they should do to improve their work • Improve the standard of handwriting and the presentation of pupils' work in books and displays • Continue to promote good attendance and tackle absenteeism

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Grade: 2

From very low starting points children make good progress and achieve well in the nursery and reception classes because they receive consistently good teaching. 2 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006 Year 6 test results in 2004 showed that, although standards were below average, all groups of pupils achieved significantly well. This was repeated in 2005, when the school was among the highest performing in terms of pupils' progress and achievement. Pupils' achievement was satisfactory in English, due to the high number of pupils at the early stages of learning English as an additional language. The school sets challenging targets for achievement and carefully tracks pupils progress towards these, ensuring that all pupils achieve as much as they can from their given starting points. Pupils make satisfactory progress in Years 1 and 2 but teachers do not routinely plan

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Grade: 2

work that is sufficiently challenging for the most able pupils. Therefore, standards at the end of Year 2 are well below average. By the time pupils reach Year 6 there is no significant difference in the progress made by boys and girls. Since the last inspection the school has improved the effectiveness of support given to pupils learning English as an additional language and this ensures that they, as well as pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, make good progress and achieve well. Standards in information and communication technology are broadly average.

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Grade: 2

Despite the low attendance of a small minority of pupils, most clearly enjoy school and behave well in lessons and around the school. They have positive attitudes towards learning and talk enthusiastically about their school, their friends and their teachers. Pupils understand the difference between right and wrong and are developing good social skills, for example, they understand and appreciate the role peer mentors play in resolving playground disputes. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. A pupil told inspectors that everyone gets on really well and they have respect for each other's backgrounds and cultures. Pupils also report that bullying does not happen and that minor disputes are quickly resolved. The school council is well-run and has a clear voice in school developments including the imminent opening of a Healthy Tuck Shop. Pupils are clear about the need to develop a healthy lifestyle and are very appreciative

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Grade: 2

of the wide range of after-school clubs that provide opportunities for exercise, including, football, netball and belly-dancing. Pupils are prepared well for their future economic well-being through the good teaching of basic skills and the development of very positive relationships and attitudes to work. Pupils make a good contribution to the local community through their involvement in projects as 'Make A Difference Day' and 'London Cares'. 3 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Staff in the Foundation Stage create a stimulating and welcoming environment and plan their work with a very good understanding of how young children learn. The good teaching, and the detailed records that are kept, ensure that children make good progress. Pupils at the early stages of learning English are taught well and make good progress. The teaching of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is good and they, too, achieve well. Teachers' planning files are monitored closely and very helpful records are kept. Teaching and learning from Year 3 to Year 6 is consistently good and is well matched to pupils learning needs. Teaching in Year 1 and Year 2, although meeting the needs of pupils with average and below average ability, does not sufficiently stretch or challenge the more able pupils and is satisfactory overall. Teachers are developing a good knowledge of the different ways in which pupils learn.

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Grade: 2

They use a variety of teaching techniques to maintain pupils' interest and keep them well motivated, including the effective use of interactive whiteboards in lessons. Although the quality of the content of pupils' work has improved, standards of handwriting and presentation are inconsistent across the school and the school has plans to address this. Improved assessment and tracking procedures now provide teachers and school leaders with clearer information about pupils' progress. The marking of work varies in quality from class to class but where it is most effective, pupils are given a clear indication of how well they are doing and what they must do to improve.

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Grade: 2

The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that is well matched to the needs of all pupils. Developments, such as, the introduction of French in Year 2 and Russian and philosophy in Year 4, have had a positive impact on improving pupil's thinking and communication skills. Good planning in the Foundation Stage provides a stimulating and exciting curriculum with a strong emphasis on learning through practical activities. Links between different subjects are good and continually developing, notably drawing on and using ICT to support learning. The success of this work to develop a creative approach to the curriculum shows the determination the school has to continuously evaluate and improve. The school provides an impressive range of extra-curricular activities and visits, which add greatly to pupils' enjoyment, learning and personal development. For example, the pupils are very proud of their success in a recent football competition.

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Grade: 2

4 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Health, safety and risk assessment procedures are robust and there are secure procedures for child protection. The school works hard to improve the attendance of a small minority of pupils and works tenaciously with outside agencies. However, despite the school's best efforts, there remain a small number of families who do not, regularly send their children to school. Pupils are well supported in their academic and personal development and say they feel confident about approaching teachers and learning mentors for help and advice. There are effective procedures to combat bullying and pupils believe that such incidents are very rare and dealt with swiftly. There is a good programme of personal health and social education which contributes strongly to pupils' understanding of the need to stay healthy and safe. Academic progress is regularly and effectively assessed and pupils' progress is tracked well. There is good support for pupils who have learning difficulties and disabilities as

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Grade: 2

well as those whose first language is other than English.

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Grade: 2

The headteacher provides strong, clear leadership and is well supported by the senior leadership team and the governing body. The headteacher's evaluation of the school's performance is honest and rigorous. The headteacher and senior leadership team have high expectations and a very clear vision for school improvement which inspires and motivates teachers and pupils to do their best. As a result, the school has a good capacity to improve. Governors are kept well informed by the headteacher and have a good understanding of school developments and priorities. The Chair of Governors ensures that all governors receive regular training and have clear roles and responsibilities through an effective committee structure which holds the school to account well. The budget is managed well and the school provides good value for money. Middle managers and subject leaders are trained and developed well and play a key

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Grade: 2

role in school improvement. There are very good pupil assessment systems in place which inform school self-evaluation and improvement planning very effectively. The school regularly consults with parents and pupils and uses information from these surveys to inform developments. The school has improved significantly since the last inspection and has made particular improvements to the quality of teaching and pupil achievement. All the key issues identified at the time of the last inspection have been successfully addressed and the school no longer has serious weaknesses. 5 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006 .

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set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, 2 May 2006 to 3 May 2006

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Overall

Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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learners?

NA 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA 2 The quality and standards in foundation stage NA 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation NA Yes The capacity to make any necessary improvements NA Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

NA 2 How well do learners achieve? NA 4 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 2 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

NA 2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 2 The behaviour of learners NA 4 The attendance of learners NA 2 How well learners enjoy their education NA 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 2 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community NA 2 How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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needs and interests of learners?

NA 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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needs and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low.

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and supporting all learners?

NA 2 How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education NA 1 How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets, through quality assurance and self-review NA 2 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can NA 2 How effectively and efficiently resources are deployed to achieve value for money NA 2 The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities NA Yes The adequacy and suitability of staff to ensure that learners are protected

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The extent to which schools enable learners to be healthy

Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to eat and drink healthily Yes Learners are encouraged and enabled to take regular exercise Yes Learners are discouraged from smoking and substance abuse Yes Learners are educated about sexual health

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The extent to which providers ensure that learners stay safe

Yes Procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements Yes Risk assessment procedures and related staff training are in place Yes Action is taken to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as bullying and racism Yes Learners are taught about key risks and how to deal with them

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The extent to which learners make a positive contribution

Yes Learners are helped to develop stable, positive relationships Yes Learners, individually and collectively, participate in making decisions that affect them Yes Learners are encouraged to initiate, participate in and manage activities in school and the wider community

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The extent to which schools enable learners to achieve economic well-being

Yes There is provision to promote learners’ basic skills Yes Learners have opportunities to develop enterprise skills and work in teams NA Careers education and guidance is provided to all learners in key stage 3 and 4 and the sixth form NA Education for all learners aged 14–19 provides an understanding of employment and the economy

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you for welcoming the inspection team to your school and for taking the time to talk to us in lessons and around the school. We would particularly like to thank the School Council for their valuable contribution to the inspection. The inspection team think that Ellen Wilkinson Primary is a good school that provides you with a good standard of education and looks after you very well. The last time the school was inspected, in 2004, it had some serious weaknesses but these have been overcome and the school has made significant progress since then.You told us that you enjoy going to school and that you all get on well together and respect each other's cultures and backgrounds. We saw this for ourselves in lessons and in the playground where you work and play very well together.We think your headteacher and teachers work very hard to make sure you are all taught well and make good progress by the time you leave.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We have asked you headteacher and governing body to do the following things in order to help the school to get even better:-* Improve the teaching and learning in Year 1 and Year 2* Improve teachers' marking so you know how to improve your work* Help you to improve the handwriting and presentation in your books* Continue to encourage you to come to school every day!We enjoyed our time in your school - everyone we met was welcoming, polite and helpful, and we wish you well in the future. Yours sincerely, Lyn Riley Lead Inspector

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