St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior, Infant and Early Years School

Inspection Report St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School

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107737 Unique Reference Number Kirklees LEA 277825 Inspection number 12 July 2006 to 13 July 2006 Inspection dates Mrs June Sharpe 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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Fieldhead Lane School address Primary Type of school Birstall Voluntary aided School category Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 9HN 3 to 11 Age range of pupils

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01924 326750 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01924 326767 Fax number 188 Number on roll Mr Jack Leeson Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs S Muscroft Headteacher 27 September 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 277825 12 July 2006 - 3 to 11 13 July 2006 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July 2006

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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

Most of the pupils attending this average sized school are from White British backgrounds and live locally. None speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils claiming free school meals is average, as is the proportion with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. About one fifth of the pupils have particular gifts and talents.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July

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Grade: 2

This school's view of itself as a good school is correct. It has made good progress since the previous inspection on all fronts, but especially by improving teaching and learning and raising standards. It gives good value for money and has good capacity to improve in the future. The strong and united leadership of the headteacher and deputy headteacher is the main reason for the school's success. This, along with enthusiastic support from staff and committed governors, ensure that pupils' personal development is good and that they enjoy coming to a happy, friendly and welcoming school. Good consultation gives everyone their say, and thriving partnerships with others ensure that pupils' particular needs are met. Standards and achievement, including those in the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception classes), are good. This reflects the good quality of teaching and learning, the enriching curriculum and the good level of care for pupils as

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Grade: 2

individuals. Although standards are high overall, a weakness for many pupils is writing. The school has started to tackle this by improving skills in speaking, but there is further work to be done. The school meets the needs of gifted and talented pupils, but the more capable pupils could sometimes do better in lessons if teachers expected more of them. Teachers set pupils a variety of learning targets, but not all pupils understand enough about what they have to do next to improve their work. Nevertheless, plans for future action indicate a determination not to rest on the laurels of previous successes, but to tackle weaknesses with rigour.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve achievement and standards for pupils of all ages in writing so they make equal progress in all subjects. • Provide enough challenge for the more capable pupils in all lessons so they are stretched. • Ensure that pupils always understand what they have to do next to improve, particularly through the way teachers mark work.

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Grade: 2

When children start Nursery, their attainment is broadly average. It is sometimes below average in speaking and listening. Girls and boys of all ages, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and particular gifts and talents, make good progress. By the time they leave the school in Year 6, standards are above average. This represents good achievement and good improvement since the previous inspection. In 2005, the school was one of the top 100 schools in the country for improved performance. This success is the outcome of improved teaching and learning, especially in Year 6, where pupils' progress is most rapid. In 2005, the school exceeded its targets for Year 6 pupils reaching the level expected for their ages in national tests in English and mathematics, but not as many pupils as anticipated reached levels higher than 2 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July

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Grade: 2

expected for their ages. Although unconfirmed, results of the 2006 tests and assessments suggest continued improvement on 2005 in reading, mathematics and science; writing continues to be a weaker area for pupils of all ages. The school knows that this is linked to the difficulties that some pupils have in communicating their ideas confidently and fluently through speaking. Although most pupils meet the challenging targets that teachers set for them, the more capable pupils could sometimes do even better in lessons if teachers expected more of them.

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Grade: 2

Good behaviour and attitudes add considerably to pupils' good achievement. The Investors in Pupils Award demonstrates pupils' willingness to cooperate and to make a positive contribution to the life of their school. Pupils show a high level of confidence and initiative, for example, through the work of the school council and charitable fund raising. Girls and boys thoroughly enjoy taking responsibilities, such as watching over younger pupils at lunchtime. Although attendance is average, pupils enjoy coming to school and are punctual. As a result of good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, by Year 6, pupils are friendly, polite, mature and sensible. They have a good understanding of right and wrong, which is a central theme of the school's mission statement. A close partnership with the church and assemblies ensure that pupils are thoughtful and caring. Pupils' good understanding of how to stay safe and

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Grade: 2

keep healthy is seen in their enthusiasm for eating fruit and taking regular drinks of water. Pupils make a positive contribution to their community, for example, by taking part in church services and visiting local residential homes for the elderly. Good standards in basic literacy and numeracy, and information and communication technology (ICT) skills prepare pupils well for their future economic well-being.

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Grade: 2

The school's modest assessment of satisfactory teaching and learning does not take account of recent improvements. As a result of good quality teaching and learning, pupils throughout the school, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or particular gifts and talents, make good progress. Enthusiastic teachers work closely with skilled classroom assistants to ensure that pupils have the help they need. Good relationships and high expectations of behaviour ensure that pupils work hard. Teaching is particularly effective in Year 6. This is because pupils rise to the very high expectations of them all to do as well as they can. In a few lessons, however, pupils' progress slows down when they listen to teachers for too long, and when the work set does not help to take their learning forward sufficiently. Consequently, the more capable pupils do not always learn as much as they could. Teachers are aware of

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Grade: 2

the need to provide more opportunities for pupils to practise speaking in order to raise standards in writing. Teachers assess pupils' attainment regularly and thoroughly. They 3 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July have introduced several different systems for setting pupils learning targets to aim for. Although some pupils understand what they have to learn next, this is not always the case. Inconsistencies, especially in the helpfulness of teachers' marking, occasionally restrict the pace of pupils' learning.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum meets requirements and caters well for all learners, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or particular gifts and talents. It gives emphasis to English and mathematics and is enriched well by interesting work in other subjects and exciting educational visits. Many pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including lunchtime activities for younger pupils. One parent commented, 'My child loves French club'. The curriculum for personal, social, health and citizenship education makes a strong contribution to pupils' mature and sensible attitudes. Awards, such as Healthy Schools Award and Sport for England Award, demonstrate strong commitment to teaching pupils how to stay safe and to live healthy lifestyles. The curriculum for children in the Foundation Stage has improved a lot since the previous inspection, especially working outdoors. The curriculum for ICT has also

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Grade: 2

improved. It is now used well to further pupils' learning across all subjects.

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Grade: 2

The school has earned its good reputation of caring for all pupils equally and for meeting their individual needs. Teachers keep a very close eye on the progress of all pupils, including the most vulnerable. Sensitive support staff are always on hand to help with specific difficulties. The school works well in consultation with parents, other institutions and outside agencies in order to meet pupils' needs; for example, making the varied provision necessary for pupils with particular gifts and talents. Child protection and health and safety procedures are firmly in place. Pupils say that they feel safe and, as one pupil said, 'I like this school because teachers listen to you'. In lessons, pupils usually receive good guidance, and oral feedback is quick and positive. Arrangements for children to start Nursery and to transfer to secondary schools are good.

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Grade: 2

United leadership by the headteacher and deputy headteacher, along with enthusiastic subject coordination and good governance have resulted in good improvement since the previous inspection. There is good consultation with stakeholders, and the school works in close partnership with many other institutions and agencies in order to provide a good quality of education for all the pupils. Parents and carers think highly of the school. One parent commented, 'I think the school is doing a good job'. Even though achievement and standards are now good, the school has high expectations of itself 4 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July and a determination to do even better. Although standards in mathematics by Year 2 have improved, for example, everyone is keen to ensure that the improvement continues next year. As a result of detailed analysis of data, staff and governors have a good

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Grade: 2

understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses, and they take action to put things right. They know, for example, why standards in writing are a weakness and what they still need to do to improve them. Similarly, staff have correctly identified that national test and assessment results should be higher for the more capable pupils. Action to remedy this has already paid dividends. Nevertheless, there is further work to do to ensure that the more capable pupils always do as well as they can in lessons. Plans to review existing arrangements for setting pupils learning targets and involving them in their own learning and progress demonstrate the school's insightful leadership. There is good capacity to improve in the future. 5 Inspection Report: St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July .

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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 Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior Infant and Nursery School, 12 July 2006 to 13 July

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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 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 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

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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

tThank you for welcoming us to your school. We enjoyed chatting with you and finding out about all the interesting things that you do. We think that these are the best things about your school - You help to make your school a happy and friendly place where everyone is welcome and enjoys coming. - Adults look after you well and keep you safe. - Your behaviour is good and you work hard. - Teachers and other adults work hard to help you to enjoy lessons and learn more. - There are a lot of activities for you to get involved in. - Your headteacher, deputy headteacher and school governors make sure that your school keeps on getting better all the time. What your school could do to improve - Help you to make your writing as good as your reading, mathematics and science are. - Make sure that your work always makes you think hard and is never too easy. - Help you to know what you have to do next to improve your work, especially when teachers

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

mark it. We are sure that you will help your teachers to do all that they have to do to make your school even better. We hope that you have a good summer holiday and enjoy your new classes in September.

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