St Joseph the Worker RC Primary School

Inspection Report St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School

p.1

105961 Unique Reference Number Salford LEA 277454 Inspection number 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006 Inspection dates Mr Stephen Wall CfBT Lead Inspector Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Cutnook Lane School address Primary Type of school Irlam Voluntary aided School category Salford, Lancashire M44 6GX 3 to 11 Age range of pupils 0161 7754548 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0161 9211699 Fax number 159 Number on roll Fr L Devany Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Jennifer Murphy Headteacher 6 December 1999 Date of previous inspection

p.1

Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 277454 26 June 2006 - 3 to 11 27 June 2006 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

p.3

Description of the school

St Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Primary School is a smaller than average school situated on the fringes of Salford about eight miles from the centre of Manchester. The area served by the school is diverse and varies from average to below average levels of economic affluence. Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage. The number of pupils entitled to free school meals is below average, as is the proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The number of pupils on role has been falling significantly for several years. Since the time of the last inspection many new staff, including the headteacher and deputy headteacher, have been appointed. The school holds Investor In People status.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006

p.3

Grade: 2

As the school rightly judges, this a good school where effective teaching promotes good learning and achievement. It offers good value for money. The quality and standards are good in the Foundation Stage. Children achieve well because of the good teaching and learning, but there are some limitations in the outdoor provision. Pupils continue to achieve well and make good progress in Key Stages 1 and 2. Pupils' personal development and well-being are good. They enjoy school, generally behave well and are courteous and polite. The school has made good improvements in its provision for information and communication technology (ICT) which teachers use well in lessons to promote the pupils' acquisition of good ICT skills. The good curriculum meets pupils' needs and there is a wide range of enrichment activities. Pupils feel safe in school and all the necessary procedures are in place to ensure their security and

p.4

Grade: 2

well-being. Tracking of pupils' progress as they move through the school is thorough and effective. The school is well led and managed with a particularly effective governing body which both supports senior managers and holds them to account. Senior managers know the school well but the quality of planning for future development does not pinpoint precisely enough the priorities for further improvement. Since the last inspection, the school has made good progress and has definite capacity to improve further.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

• Make the outside area for the children in the Foundation Stage into an attractive and stimulating learning environment and provide more good quality outdoor resources. • Make development planning much more focused on specific priorities to raise standards and achievement further.

p.4

Grade: 2

Pupils enter the Foundation Stage with attainment levels below those normally expected. During their time in the Foundation Stage, they make good progress to achieve standards which are average. Pupils continue to make good progress in Key Stages 1 and 2 where results in national tests are broadly average in English and mathematics. In science, a high number of pupils achieve above average standards because the subject is particularly well managed and teaching is very good. National data for 2005 indicate that pupils in the Year 6 cohort made only satisfactory progress during Key Stage 2. However, the school is able to demonstrate convincingly, using its own thorough assessment records, that the majority of pupils made good progress considering their starting points. In addition, the fact that one pupil in an already very small cohort of 17 pupils did not take the mathematics test means the data are not

p.4

Grade: 2

an entirely accurate representation of the true picture. All groups of pupils, including 2 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006 those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, make similar, good progress. Challenging targets are invariably met and, in science, regularly surpassed.

p.4

Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, is good. Children in the Foundation Stage gain good levels of independence, learn to listen well and relate positively to adults. Pupils are courteous and friendly towards visitors. They respect their teachers and each other. They generally behave well in most lessons and enjoy learning and joining in all the activities the school offers them. Play is harmonious at breaktimes and pupils show good concern for others if they are accidentally hit with a ball or fall over. Pupils said, 'Bullying is rare but occasionally we have minor fall-outs.' Attendance is average and punctuality good. Pupils are encouraged to attend regularly and wait with eager anticipation in assemblies for the announcement of the class with best weekly attendance. Pupils understand the importance of leading safe and healthy lives. One pupil commented,

p.5

Grade: 2

'We used to eat crisps at break, now we have milk, fruit and toast to keep us healthy.' Pupils are acquiring the skills that will equip them well for the future. They accept responsibilities well and carry out their duties sensibly. They voice their opinions through the school council and help to improve the school. For example, councillors initiated a 'sponsored skip' to buy new tables and chairs for one of the classrooms. Pupils develop a good awareness of those less fortunate through raising money for a range of charities.

p.5

Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good overall with some examples of outstanding practice. Lessons are well planned and usually conducted at a good pace with a good variety of activity to keep pupils motivated and interested. In one outstanding science lesson, for example, pupils were on the edge of their seats with excitement as they investigated the properties of different materials. Teachers make particularly good use of interactive whiteboards to add an extra dimension to their teaching and the good use of ICT in lessons encourages pupils to carry out their own research and develop good independent learning skills. Pupils work very well together and willingly share ideas. Pupils are usually appropriately challenged but, on occasions, not enough demand is made on higher attaining pupils. Behaviour in most lessons is good because pupils are interested and keen to get on. Very occasionally, however, pupils become

p.5

Grade: 2

restless and chatty when the teaching fails to engage them fully. Classroom assistants are used effectively to support teaching and learning. Teachers mark pupils' work regularly and thoroughly. The quality of their comments is good and nearly always gives clear guidance for improvement. The school's 3 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006 procedures for tracking the progress of groups and individuals as they move through the school are thorough and allow the early identification of those who need extra help and support.

p.5

Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. It meets pupils' needs and caters appropriately for the mixed age classes. The curriculum for science gives strong attention to investigation work and pupils particularly enjoy this and achieve well. There is good enrichment provided by a varied range of out-of-class activities and interesting visits and visitors to the school. Pupils eagerly demonstrated their basic skills in speaking French saying 'Bonjour' and asking 'Comment t'appelles-tu?' (What is your name?). The school successfully promotes healthy and safe lifestyles. Personal, social and health education is given good attention and is interwoven through a range of subjects. The recent alteration to the timing of the school day has led to a more flexible timetable and the school is now seeking ways of linking different subjects to add further enjoyment to learning. For example, the recent 'Arts Week' focused on healthy eating and culminated in the

p.6

Grade: 2

children making a vibrant three-dimensional display of healthy food. The Foundation Stage curriculum is good overall. However, there are weaknesses in the outside learning environment: it is neither attractive nor stimulating and there is a shortage of good quality outdoor play equipment.

p.6

Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. Pupils say, 'Teachers look after us and if you fall over they are there straight away.' They feel safe in school and know who to turn to if they need help. Child protection procedures are in place and understood by staff. Careful attention is paid to health and safety. Checks of the building and site are carried out routinely. The school complies with local authority guidance and procedures for making appropriate checks on adults working in the school. Pupils are guided well in their learning and this contributes to their good achievement. Extra help is given promptly to individuals or groups of pupils when it is needed. The support for vulnerable children, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, is good. The school works effectively with a range of outside agencies to make sure the pupils receive the help they need. Arrangements for transition from the Foundation Stage

p.6

Grade: 2

to Year 1 are effective and the school prepares older pupils well for entry to the secondary school of their choice.

p.6

Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher, ably supported by the senior managers, promotes good teamwork and a shared sense of purpose among the teaching staff. The challenges facing the school in the form of falling rolls and consequent 4 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006 reduction in finances have been handled skilfully to minimise any adverse effect on standards and achievement. In this, the senior managers have been ably supported by well informed governors who are very committed to the school, know its strengths and weaknesses and are not reluctant to question and hold the school to account when necessary. The induction of many new teaching staff, including several newly qualified teachers, has been successfully managed and good morale has been maintained during an unsettled period. The quality of teaching and learning is monitored regularly and the school is able to demonstrate some success in how this

p.6

Grade: 2

has helped some teachers improve their teaching. However, the outcomes of monitoring are not used consistently with sufficient rigour to link them to raising pupils' achievement. Senior managers know the school well and their self-evaluation gives an accurate picture of the school's effectiveness taking into account the views of parents and pupils. Issues from the last inspection have been addressed effectively. However, the quality of forward planning lacks sufficient focus to identify specific priorities which will be effective in raising standards and achievement even further. The headteacher has established good working links with other schools, especially the local high school, and is extending business links with the community to promote the school's good reputation further. 5 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006 .

p.7

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

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: St Joseph The Worker RC Primary School, 26 June 2006 to 27 June 2006

p.8

Overall

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

p.9

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

p.9

Achievement and standards

NA 2 How well do learners achieve? NA 3 The standards 1 reached by learners

p.9

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

p.9

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

p.9

needs and interests of learners?

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

p.9

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.

p.9

and supporting all learners?

NA 3 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 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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for making us welcome when we came to inspect your school. We are grateful to those of you who gave up some of your lunchtime to talk to us. This letter will explain what we found out about your school. We think you go to a good school. Your teachers work very hard to provide you with interesting lessons and take good care of you. We particularly liked the way you get on with each other and how well most of you behave in lessons and around the school. You make good progress as you move through the school and enjoy all the extra clubs and activities the school offers. We think your headteacher manages the school well and all your teachers concentrate on making sure you are given every chance to do as well as you can. To make your school even better, we are asking for the outdoor facilities for the children in the Foundation Stage to be made more attractive and interesting and we are also asking for

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

the school to be clearer about what it intends to do to make sure you make even better progress than you do now. We wish you the very best for the future and know you will continue to work hard to do your best.

p.11