Davyhulme Primary School

Inspection Report Davyhulme Junior School

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106316 Unique Reference Number Trafford LEA 277530 Inspection number 28 November 2005 to 29 November 2005 Inspection dates Mrs Marie Cordey 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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Canterbury Road School address Primary Type of school Urmston Community School category Manchester, Lancashire M41 0RX 7 to 11 Age range of pupils

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0161 7483392 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0161 7181032 Fax number 252 Number on roll Mr Mike Cornes Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr P McDowell Headteacher 15 November 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 277530 28 November 2005 - 7 to 11 29 November 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 3 additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

Davyhulme is an average sized junior school. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and the percentage that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. Most pupils are of white British heritage and a small number of pupils are from ethnic minority heritages. Pupils' attainment on entry to the school is broadly average. Attendance is above average. The school has been awarded Active Gold and Artsmark Silver status and is a Healthy Eating School.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 2005

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Grade: 2

This is a good school with outstanding features, which include behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the curriculum. All pupils are valued and respected and take full advantage of the many extra-curricular activities. Pupils, including the gifted and talented and those with learning difficulties and /or disabilities, make good progress. Standards by the end of Year 6 are above average and science and mathematics results are a particularly strength. Results in English lag behind although standards are slightly above average. Writing skills are not as advanced as those in reading and speaking and listening. Good support from teaching assistants is helping to improve writing but there are not enough of them to be in all classes. Good practice in information and communication technology (ICT) is thwarted at times by faulty equipment and minor technical problems. Teaching and learning are good and lead to

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Grade: 2

better than expected progress. Strong leadership and management provide a clear vision for pupils' achievement that is shared by staff. The school is acting decisively to bring up the standards in English. Governors provide an outstanding contribution to the school. The school's evaluation of its performance is accurate although it has been unduly modest in some areas of provision. There is good capacity to improve and improvement since the last inspection is good. The school provides good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Further develop strategies to improve performance in writing, especially for higher attaining boys. • Extend the support for learning provided by teaching assistants to cover all classes and in ICT to provide technical assistance.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' standards are above average and they are set challenging targets. They make good progress because of good teaching and improve from average to above average performance. Pupils' achievements in science and mathematics are particular strengths with pupils reaching well above average standards. In 2005 Key Stage 2 science tests, for example, all pupils gained the expected level 4 or above and most achieved the higher Level 5. Results in English are slightly above average but not as high as in science and mathematics. This is because writing is comparatively weak, especially for higher attaining boys. There is less support in these lessons and this reduces the attention that the teacher can give to individual pupils. Other than this, there are no significant differences between groups because the school identifies and supports pupils with difficulties and disabilities and gifted and talented pupils. Pupils say they

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Grade: 2

achieve well because they enjoy their subjects and like their teachers, which is confirmed by the majority of parents. 2 Inspection Report: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 2005

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Grade: 1

Pupils' personal development is outstanding and better than the school's judgement. Pupils obviously enjoy school, for example, 'Teachers care about you and help you when you have problems', said pupils in Year 4. Attendance is better than for most schools. From the time they start school, pupils absorb the values that learning is enjoyable, working well together is important and taking responsibility is exciting. Throughout the school, pupils have outstanding attitudes to their work, behave very well and exhibit respectful relationships. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is promoted very effectively and the school is active in encouraging healthy lifestyles. Eating healthily and exercising regularly are part of the daily life of the school. Pupils are very clear about the need to keep themselves safe. They say that bullying is rare and are confident that any problems are dealt with immediately. Older pupils make contact with pupils in the

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Grade: 1

infant school and this 'buddy' system continues when these pupils enter Year 3. There are opportunities for pupils to develop their economic awareness for example, through an active school council and the Eco group. Pupils make a positive contribution to the school and wider community through their support for a range of charities.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good overall which confirms the school's evaluation. Lessons are generally lively and interesting, which prompts a motivated response from pupils who are eager to participate. Teachers explain new ideas clearly and they question pupils skilfully to find out what they know and what they still need to learn. Teachers' management of pupils, based on outstanding relationships, is a significant feature. These strengths mean that pupils enjoy learning and make good progress in lessons. In an outstanding lesson for example, the skilled use of the interactive whiteboard inspired and motivated the pupils. As a result, their knowledge of journalistic writing improved considerably. Support assistants are skilled in promoting the learning of individuals and small groups which boosts pupils' progress. There are not enough teaching assistants to support all classes, however, and this restricts teaching

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Grade: 2

opportunities because class sizes are large. In these cases it is sometimes difficult for the teacher to provide individual attention for all the pupils. Provision for ICT has improved since the last inspection and, consequently, pupils are more skilled in its use. The slow running of some of the computers and minor breakdowns frustrate both teachers and pupils. Teachers assess pupils' learning effectively to gain a picture of what they know and what they need to learn next. This information is used well to plan future learning and to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met. In a small proportion of lessons, pupils are not as involved in their learning and some marking 3 Inspection Report: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 2005 does not show pupils what they need to do to improve. Teachers use target setting successfully to involve pupils in monitoring their own progress.

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Grade: 1

The school has evaluated the curriculum as good but it is better than this because it meets the needs of all its pupils very successfully by providing an outstanding range of experiences. Each pupil enjoys and achieves well, they are provided with many interesting and exciting things to do. There are many lunchtime and after school clubs such as brass band, badminton and electronic library sessions where pupils can improve their literacy skills. Within the extra curricular provision there is a cross curricular link with sport and religion. A Church of England Pastor supports the Christian element in religious education provision within the school as well as acting as a semi professional coach for football. The high quality of curriculum enrichment has been recognised by Active Gold and Artsmark Silver awards. In addition, the school makes outstanding efforts to give all pupils the chance to benefit from the activities on offer such as the residential trips to Wales and the Lake

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Grade: 1

District. The school goes to great lengths to ensure pupils are taught how to develop a healthy and safe lifestyle; there is a range of healthy food options offered at lunchtimes such as salads and fresh fruit.

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Grade: 1

This aspect is outstanding, better than the school's evaluation. Levels of care are first rate and teachers are meticulous in ensuring that each pupil is safe and happy. Pupils feel that 'Teachers care for you very well'. This feeling of confidence makes a very strong contribution to pupils' personal development and their enjoyment of learning. Pupils say very readily that they feel safe in the school with no personal fear of being bullied or discriminated against. The school successfully implements high quality procedures for child protection and health and safety and the co-ordinator and governors are vigilant about health and safety checks. Teachers are aware of individual pupil's needs and provide strong, effective academic guidance to help them improve. The support for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is good and parents confirm their appreciation of this. Pupils grow and thrive within the 'family' of

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management at all levels are good and some features are outstanding. Pupils make good progress in an atmosphere of high expectations, respect and value. The headteacher has a clear vision for the direction of the school so that all pupils can achieve their best. The deputy headteacher and staff share his vision. The senior team 4 Inspection Report: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 2005 know the school well and their evaluation is largely accurate. As a consequence of regular evaluation of performance, writing skills are a current priority for action. Comprehensive links with parents and the community support pupils in their learning. The vast majority of parents are very positive about the leadership of the school and appreciate the dedication and effectiveness of the teachers. Governors make an outstanding contribution to the school. They understand its strengths and weaknesses as well as areas for improvement. They are kept fully

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Grade: 2

informed and visit regularly as part of planned procedures. They are not afraid to challenge and discuss issues with the school. The school's capacity to improve is good as is the improvement since the last inspection. 5 Inspection Report: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 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: Davyhulme Junior School, 28 November 2005 to 29 November 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 1 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA NA 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 1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 1 The behaviour of learners NA 2 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 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 1 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 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

Thank you for welcoming us to your school; you were very friendly and helpful to us. You are a credit to the school. You made our visit very pleasant and we would like to share with you what we thought of your school. - We agree with you that Davyhulme is a good school and some things are exceptional. - We think your behaviour and attitudes are outstanding because of the way you look after each other and work so hard. - We think that you act very responsibly and share in the work to keep improving the school. - Your teachers and helpers teach you well and you like them and enjoy your lessons. - Your parents and carers like you being here. - There are lots of extra activities and you enjoy taking part in them. - Your headteacher and deputy headteacher want to make the school even better. What we have asked your school to do now. - We want your teachers and you to improve your writing. - We think that the good work of the teaching assistants should be available in all classes.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

- You like ICT and learn a lot and we would like there to be help available to improve the computer equipment and solve any problems.

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