Sutton Manor Community Primary School

Inspection Report Sutton Manor Community Primary School

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104764 Unique Reference Number St. Helens LEA 277215 Inspection number 15 March 2006 to 15 March 2006 Inspection dates Mrs Judith Clarke CfBT Lead Inspector Reporting inspector

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This inspection was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 which gives Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools the authority to inspect any school in England. The inspection is to be treated as a section 5 inspection under the same Act.

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Forest Road School address Primary Type of school Sutton Manor Community School category St Helens, Merseyside WA9 4AT 3 to 11 Age range of pupils

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01744 678700 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01744 678702 Fax number 209 Number on roll Councillor Hargreaves Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Miss Dorothy Allen Headteacher 29 January 2001 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 277215 15 March 2006 - 3 to 11 15 March 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 one additional inspector. The inspector met with a number of staff, children and parents, scrutinised the school's self-evaluation documentation and observed the school at work. Discussions with the Chair of governors and the receipt of 65 questionnaires from parents further assisted the writing of this report.

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Description of the school

The school is a smaller than average school in a disadvantaged area. Almost all children are from a white British heritage. The number of children eligible for free school meals is above average as is the number of children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The number of children with statements of their educational need is above average. The children's skills on entry to the school are well below the levels expected. There are significantly more boys than girls in the school. The school benefits from being an extended school and is an associated member of an Education Action Zone.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 2006

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school where children develop as confident learners who work hard and achieve very well. The school provides outstanding value for money. The school correctly evaluates its own performance as outstanding. Rigorous, accurate self-evaluation enables the school to look at how well it is doing and identify priorities for further improvement and take effective action. There is no complacency. Outstanding leadership and management from the headteacher, leadership team and the governing body ensure that all aspects of the school's work are rigorously checked. High quality learning is the result of very effective teaching which targets the needs of the individual. Different learning styles are taken into account as teachers plan their lessons; consequently learning is highly focused and targeted. Attainment on entry to the nursery class is well below the levels expected. By the time the children leave

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Grade: 1

the school in Year 6 standards are above average. The children make outstanding progress overall. Provision in the Foundation Stage is outstanding, promoting both independence and curiosity. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make particularly strong progress because they have extra help in lessons and work which is matched to their precise needs. Children's personal development, behaviour and attitudes to their work are also outstanding. The children say they work hard, are determined to succeed in their lessons and want to do well. Attendance, however, is just below average. This is despite the fact that the school has many strategies in place to support good attendance and remind parents about their responsibilities. The curriculum is outstanding; it is enriched by significant extra activities, many provided through the extended school provision. The contributions of the extended

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Grade: 1

school has a positive impact on the lives of the parents who enjoy a wide range of activities and benefit from help provided by some of the specialised agencies. A significant strength of the school is the care and guidance that are available for the children. This is especially so for children who find behaving well difficult and those who are troubled. Parents are confident in the care provided by the school and comment positively on the supportive learning environment. The ethos of care in the school is outstanding; this is because of the drive and commitment of the headteacher and the teamwork of all staff. The school has made very good improvements since the last inspection and is very well placed to improve further.

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Grade: 1

From a low start in personal skills, communication, number and knowledge of the world around them the children make outstanding progress to reach standards that are above average by the time they leave the school. The school is an extended school and so children start pre nursery at the age of two years. When the children start nursery 2 Inspection Report: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 2006 their skills are below average. They are particularly limited in their understanding of the world around them and they have poorly developed speaking and listening skills, number concepts and social skills. Although the children make significant progress through an exciting play based curriculum which stimulates curiosity and independence, the majority of the children are still below the levels expected by the end of the Reception year. Many of the children at this stage do not have the ability to access learning through

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Grade: 1

the Year 1 curriculum. In this respect the school has begun to work very effectively to manage the transition between Reception and Year 1, gradually introducing a more structured programme of work. By the end of Year 2 the building blocks for success have been laid. Throughout Years 1 and 2 the children sustain their accelerated rate of progress so that by the end of Year 2 school data clearly shows the children attain standards that are broadly average. Throughout Years 3 to 6 the children's rate of progress accelerates. This is because the children develop the desire to learn, becoming confident learners. They reach standards that are above average with a significant number of children reaching the higher than expected levels in English, mathematics and science. Children with additional learning needs and/or disabilities are very well supported to make very good progress.

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Grade: 1

Children's personal development and well-being are outstanding. Children say that they work hard in lessons and when they make mistakes they persevere until they succeed. They enjoy their lessons. The children's attitudes to their work are commendable. They are diligent and busy. Behaviour is very good although some children find this hard. The school is very inclusive and supports a few children who have been excluded from other schools. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very strong. The children have many opportunities to reflect and aspire to success. They reflect on the lives of others who have striven against adversity to succeed. The children know the difference between right and wrong and there are many strategies in place to support them. Children understand what to do if they are troubled or upset and report that there are people they can talk to. Children understand the need to keep safe and healthy. Sport is popular and a wide

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Grade: 1

range of activities supports a variety of interests. They develop very good skills for their future economic welfare; for example, they make articles to sell at school fairs. Attendance has remained stubbornly just below average although the school is rigorous in completing registers and follows up all absences. The school is looking to take on some new initiatives to improve attendance overall. Exclusions have taken place, but these reflect some of the very challenging and troubled children the school welcomes. 3 Inspection Report: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 2006

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Grade: 1

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. The focus throughout the school is not on teaching but on learning. Because the school has rigorously considered and checked the way the children make progress the staff tailor their lessons to the exact needs of the children. As a result the children become very effective learners. In the Foundation Stage the children are encouraged to be independent and curious through a busy, play based curriculum where teachers work with individuals and small groups to promote learning. In Years 1 and 2 the building blocks of success are laid. Practical activities, quality questioning, effective use of the Smart boards and skilled support staff enable the children to make significant progress. In Years 3 to 6 the strong focus on the children's different learning styles alongside the results of rigorous assessments lead to tight lesson planning. As a result the children

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Grade: 1

become self-confident learners who recognise their own strengths and areas for development. The teachers use music, focused questioning, and children working together in groups of different abilities to develop confidence, self-esteem and the ability to explain their thoughts and ideas. Children who find learning hard or concentration difficult are given extra help and support in lessons; consequently they too make outstanding progress.

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Grade: 1

The outstanding curriculum is planned to ensure enjoyment and achievement for all age groups. Children say that they enjoy their lessons and especially the visits to places of interest and the after school activities. As part of the extended school there are many out of school activities to further children's interests. There are residential visits for the older children. Artists and musicians in residence add significant opportunities for the children to work with acknowledged experts. The children are very aware of issues in both the school and the wider world. The 'Eco warriors' and the school council work hard to bring about improvements. Turning off taps, switching off electric lights and recycling paper are all areas where the children have had a positive impact. A particular strength in the school is the way the school provides for those children who find learning hard. There is a nurture group for the youngest children and an art

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Grade: 1

therapy facility for older children. 4 Inspection Report: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 2006

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Grade: 1

The care, guidance and support in the school are outstanding. Parents are very supportive of the school and they feel that their children are extremely well cared for. One parent wrote 'I have had a lot of help and support with my child.' Another parent praised the school for the way the school celebrates and values the individual's successes no matter how big or small. Sutton Manor school is a place where every child matters. Staff review children's progress regularly and maintain a very careful check on their progress. Children say that they feel safe at school. Child protection and health and safety procedures are fully in place. Those children who need extra help have high quality support from both within school and outside agencies and professionals. The extended school provides a significant number of courses, access to activities and expertise for the parents, including health surgeries. There is also a community outreach

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Grade: 1

facility. The school has very strong links with the high school.

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Grade: 1

The leadership and management of the school are outstanding. The headteacher has a clear vision for the school and is dedicated and determined, in her drive for school improvement. She is very well supported by a strong leadership team, governing body and staff. The rigorous school self evaluation is accurate and key priorities for development are clear and focused on how well the children learn. The check the school makes of the children's progress encourages the children to understand their own strengths and to be focused on their learning. The key co-ordinators have a clear understanding of the children's performance and the drive to lead and bring about improvements. Staff meetings are all focused on training and improvement. Consequently all work with common aims and purpose with a whole school drive for improvement. The school holds the Every Child Matters agenda central to its work. School improvement planning is now focused on the five outcomes for learners. The school

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Grade: 1

improvement teams are working hard to manage change and promote excellence. The views of the children presented through the school council are sought and acted upon. Parents recognise the high quality of care and safety shown by the school. They say that the teaching is good and allows their children to do well. The provision of the extended school has increased dramatically the involvement of parents and carers; this has had a positive impact on the progress the children make. 5 Inspection Report: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 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: Sutton Manor Community Primary School, 15 March 2006 to 15 March 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 1 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA 1 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 1 How well do learners achieve? NA 2 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 1 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 1 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

NA 1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 1 The behaviour of learners NA 4 The attendance of learners NA 1 How well learners enjoy their education NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community NA 1 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 1 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 1 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can NA 1 How effectively and efficiently resources are deployed to achieve value for money NA 1 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, I recently visited your school to find out how well your teachers are helping you with your learning. Thank you for being so friendly and talking to me. I really enjoyed talking to you about your work, visiting your classes, looking at your books and speaking to your teachers and parents. What I like most about your school - Your friendly welcome. It was a pleasure to visit your school. - You behave very well both in class and in the playground. - You work hard in lessons and make sure that you do not give up when your tasks are hard, some of you wanted to carry on when it was time to pack away. - Your teachers and teaching assistants give you very good help in lessons and help you to improve your work. - Your headteacher runs your school in an outstanding way. She listens to what you have to say and works hard to make changes. - Your sports hall is amazing and there are lots of activities for you to do after school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

- Your parents and carers are right in thinking you go to an excellent school, I agree. - Most of you appear to really enjoy everything that happens at school although a small number of you could improve your attendance. I hope that you will continue to work hard in school and help the teachers so that Sutton Manor becomes an even better school.

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