St Gregory's Catholic Primary School

Inspection Report St Gregory's Catholic Primary School

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104678 Unique Reference Number Liverpool LEA 277204 Inspection number 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 Inspection dates Mr Bob Thompson CfBT Lead Inspector Reporting inspector

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

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Montreal Road School address Primary Type of school Netherley Voluntary aided School category Liverpool, Merseyside L27 7AG 3 to 11 Age range of pupils

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0151 498 4313 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0151 487 3794 Fax number 200 Number on roll Mr J Owen Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs P Melia Headteacher 30 October 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 277204 27 September 2005 - 3 to 11 28 September 2005 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 two additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

St Gregory's Catholic Primary School is an average sized voluntary aided school for pupils aged three to 11. There are 184 pupils on roll, evenly split between boys and girls. The population is predominately White British with very few pupils of other heritages. The numbers of pupils entitled to free school meals and those with learning difficulties and disabilities are high. Many pupils start school with much catching up to do, having low attainment. The school is situated in a very deprived social area, in the bottom 2.5 per cent of the country.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005

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Grade: 2

This is a good and improving school. This judgement matches the school's own view of itself and that of parents and pupils. Improvements since the last inspection bode well for the future. The headteacher, extremely well supported by the deputy headteacher, is inspirational, and the senior management team is providing very clear direction and support for staff. The quality of teaching and learning is monitored effectively so that everyone is clear what needs to be done to improve the school even further. Pupils' progress is good overall, with some making very good progress. The school is very well placed to improve. Outstanding assessment procedures and systems are in place to help pupils reach their full potential. Senior staff and governors have a clear view of the school's strengths and areas to improve. This is why the inspectors found that they agreed with the school's judgements. Children enter the Foundation

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Grade: 2

Stage with well below average standards but through carefully planned programmes and good teamwork on the part of staff, they make good progress year on year. By the end of Year 6, standards in English match national standards. Mathematics and science are above national averages. This marks good improvement from 2004. Pupils progress well throughout Years 1 to 6 because of good teaching and learning. Pupils enjoy and benefit from a curriculum that is enhanced significantly by activities such as sports and musical activities, visits and visitors and residential experiences. Personal care and the safeguarding of pupils are excellent. Pupils behave very well and have positive attitudes to learning. The school gives good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

Focus on: • Improving standards in English, particularly with regard to pupils' writing, to match those in mathematics and science.

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Grade: 2

The school's evaluation that pupils make good progress is correct. They do so because they are taught well, enjoy school and are eager to learn. Attainment on entry to the nursery is very low overall and is particularly low in communication, language, literacy and social skills. Children progress well in the Foundation Stage. The school sets challenging targets and exceeds them. Overall pupils progress well from Year 1 to Year 6. Standards by the end of Year 2 are slightly below national expectations. By the end of Year 6 good progress has been made and standards in English match national averages. Standards in mathematics and science exceed national averages. This represents good improvement. The school recognises that last year's Year 6 were a particularly good group. Overall, pupils with learning difficulties make good progress. The school gives every sign of having improved the achievement of higher attaining pupils since 2004 but is

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Grade: 2

2 Inspection Report: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 rightly continuing to watch this closely. Pupils are rightly proud that their standards in science and mathematics are very high. Different groups of pupils all make good progress over their time in the school and there are no significant differences in the progress of boys and girls.

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Grade: 2

Children are confident, friendly and cooperative. They learn teamwork during lessons but also when playing team games or during residential visits. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Children learn to talk about their feelings and about the wonders of God's world, for example when reception children observed a spider's web. They help to write class rules. They support the school community by being sensible and usually tidy. They support others by fund raising for charity. They are developing a good understanding of European cultures. Children behave very well in the classroom and on the playground. They relate to each other well. They recognise that there is some 'name calling' and are pleased that it is usually dealt with promptly. Children take the responsibilities given them seriously. They like school and are keen to learn. Children know how to stay safe, for instance when using the Internet or crossing the

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Grade: 2

road. They also know a great deal about how to stay fit and healthy. They are prepared well for the next stage in their schooling because they have a positive attitude to learning and good literacy and numeracy skills. Attendance is broadly satisfactory. There are good systems to monitor children's attendance. The school, through its learning mentor, works very hard with a minority of families whose children do not attend well and is beginning to have some success.

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Grade: 2

Teaching is good across the school and enables children to make good progress in their learning and personal development. This judgement reflects the school's own evaluation. Staff use praise and reward systems well to keep children interested in learning. Tasks are frequently well matched to children's attainments because staff assess children thoroughly and maintain useful records of progress. Resources, like a picture of a Roman baths or old toys, are used very well to help children appreciate history. Outstanding teaching in Year 6, which makes very good use of new technologies, enables children to make very positive progress in their final year. In some lessons, worksheets used fail to challenge children's writing skills sufficiently. Children value the way teachers mark their work, liking the comments on how to improve. Homework generally supports learning well. In the Foundation Stage teachers

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Grade: 2

and support staff have a clearly defined role, working well together to benefit children's learning. 3 Inspection Report: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 Children with learning difficulties and disabilities make good progress because they receive good support from staff and their classmates. The needs of these children are met by giving them work on the same theme as the class but with tasks simplified. Outstanding assessment systems monitor children's progress and set challenging school targets for them. Children's answers to examination questions are carefully analysed. Teachers make good use of this information to modify the curriculum and their teaching so as to make learning even more effective.

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Grade: 2

The school's curriculum is well designed and relevant to children's needs. It fully meets statutory requirements. Learning programmes, such as that in geography, are modified to make them more meaningful to children. This approach is relatively new and the school is reviewing its effectiveness. It allows children to see why they need, and how they can use, their literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology skills. Children enjoy and learn a great deal from the theme weeks, like 'Health and Fitness Week' and 'Passport to Europe'. A very good range of extra-curricular clubs for all children includes sports, music and gardening. The school is frequently involved in inter-school sports competitions. A good series of educational visits and visitors broadens the children's understanding of the world. Older children develop their teamwork and problem solving skills during exciting residential visits to the Lake District.

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Grade: 1

Care, support and guidance are outstanding. Parents and children agree that the school fully lives up to its motto of 'A caring environment'. Staff know the children, their families and the area very well and use this knowledge to encourage regular attendance and an enjoyment of learning. Children work hard towards challenging targets for both their behaviour and schoolwork. Children and parents are happy with the way that youngsters join the nursery class. Transfer to secondary schools is managed well, with the learning mentor playing an important supportive role. Arrangements for the safeguarding of children are rigorous and frequently reviewed. Child protection and risk assessment procedures are fully in place and known to all staff. Children feel that they have someone to turn to if they have a problem. Vulnerable children are supported effectively and their progress is very carefully monitored.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher, very ably supported by the deputy headteacher, provides inspirational leadership. She and her senior management team are held in high regard by staff and parents. The headteacher, governors and 4 Inspection Report: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 senior management team have provided high quality leadership and management since the last inspection. This has resulted in very good improvements being made. Robust self-review and outstanding assessment procedures are in place. As a result, senior staff and governors have an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas to develop. Governors comply fully with statutory requirements and provide a balance of challenge and support to senior managers. Subject leaders are effective, monitoring pupils' progress well and taking action to secure improvements. They track individual pupils' progress, know their strengths and

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Grade: 2

weakness and what to do next in order to improve which in turn enhances pupil progress. The school has joined the Netherley Valley mathematics group. This gives the mathematics co-ordinator an excellent opportunity to observe good practice in other schools, exchange ideas and raise standards in school. The headteacher has a very 'hands on' approach and regularly visits lessons. She takes into account the views of children, parents and Governors and acts upon them. For example, since September 2005 the school has employed its own chef. As a result, the number of children taking school meals has increased dramatically. This has enhanced children's access to and understanding of healthy eating and living. The senior management team is an enthusiastic and solid base for future development. Staff have focussed on raising standards and been extremely successful in doing so in mathematics and science. The school has identified accurately what it needs to do

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Grade: 2

to continue raising standards Children have a voice through the school council, which enhances their personal and citizenship development. Equal opportunities are prominent in the school's work and this is a school where 'everyone matters'. Because of the highly successful leadership and management, standards are rising and achievement strengthening. The school has very good capacity to improve. 5 Inspection Report: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 .

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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: St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, 27 September 2005 to 28 September 2005

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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 2 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 2 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 3 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 1 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 2 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 3 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

As you know we recently visited you to find out how well your teachers are helping you with your learning. Thank you for being so friendly and willing to talk to us. It was useful to know what you think about your school. We did enjoy having lunch with you and listening to some good advice on 'healthy eating'. There are some things that we think are really good about your school. These are: - The enthusiasm from you and your teachers in wanting to do well. - The good progress you make in your work. - How well your headteacher and teachers know you so that they can plan exciting activities and lessons that will challenge you to improve even more. - The good start you are given to school life by all staff in the nursery and reception class. - Those of you who need a little extra help in your work have someone to turn to. - Your parents are happy with the school and all it does for you. - Your behaviour is good and you are learning to be safe and have healthy life styles.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We have asked your teachers to help you improve your writing skills, so that you can set down your ideas more clearly.

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