Burradon Community Primary School

Inspection Report Burradon Community Primary School

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108612 Unique Reference Number North Tyneside LEA 278009 Inspection number 6 July 2006 to 7 July 2006 Inspection dates Mr John Heap Reporting inspector

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

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Burradon Road School address Primary Type of school Burradon Community School category Cramlington, Northumberland 3 to 11 Age range of pupils 0191 200 8345 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0191 200 8444 Fax number 182 Number on roll Mrs Lynn Lambton Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Alistair Gilfillan Headteacher 1 December 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278009 6 July 2006 - 3 to 11 7 July 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This below average sized school serves mainly White British pupils and a few from other minority ethnic backgrounds. The area has some social and economic disadvantage and the entitlement to free school meals is average. Attainment on entry is below average and the proportion with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is above average. Very small proportions of pupils speak English as an additional language. The school moved to new premises in April 2006. The school has received a range of awards and commendations for improvements in standards, skills and provision.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 2006

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Grade: 2

Inspectors agree with the school’s view that it is good and provides good value for money. There are also some outstanding features. Parents are rightly pleased with the good improvements since the last inspection. As one parent, typically, put it: ‘The school is a well managed and friendly environment for parents and children alike.’ A good start in the Foundation Stage means that children progress well and reach expected standards by the end of Foundation Stage 2. Standards are above average by the end of Year 6 and achievement is good. Over the last few years standards have risen because teaching is good. Nevertheless, test results for writing have lagged behind mathematics and science, particularly for the higher attaining pupils. Opportunities are missed to use and develop writing skills across the full range of subjects. Pupils’ personal development is excellent and reflects the outstanding care

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Grade: 2

and supportive ethos of the school. All pupils take a full part in all that is on offer. Pupils are appreciative of the good range of activities that enrich the good curriculum. The good links with other agencies provide opportunities that broaden pupils' experiences and the support they receive. Leadership and management are good. Self-evaluation is mainly accurate and the school is well placed to continue improving. The headteacher leads the school with energy, initiative and vision. Senior staff and governors are very supportive. Governors are well informed by the headteacher and staff, but they are too reliant on this information for their monitoring and evaluation of the school.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards in writing. • Improve the governing body’s skills in monitoring and evaluating the school.

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Grade: 2

Standards are above average and achievement is good. On arrival in Foundation Stage 1, standards are below average, with particular weaknesses in communication, language and literacy and mathematical development. Children make good progress and by the end of Foundation Stage 2, most achieve the nationally expected goals and some achieve even more. By the end of Year 6, there is a good and rising trend in national test results. In the current Year 6, standards are broadly average in English and above average in mathematics and science. However, almost 30% of the pupils have extra learning needs in literacy. Challenging targets are often exceeded. The school's effective tracking procedures show that pupils make good progress. A major concern for the school has been writing standards, particularly for the higher attaining pupils. The quality of extended pieces of writing is improving, but throughout the school there is

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Grade: 2

not enough writing done in other subjects. Standards in information and communication technology (ICT) are average. Pupils’ skills and independence are improving rapidly because of the excellent new facilities and specialist teaching that is challenging the 2 Inspection Report: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 2006 pupils. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language make good progress towards their individual targets.

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Grade: 1

Pupils’ personal development, including spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, is outstanding. Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and are eager to earn ‘tickets’ and certificates for good work. Attendance is only satisfactory because some parents take their children on holiday in term time. Pupils readily and openly share their innermost hopes and fears in an environment of trust and respect. They know about other cultures and traditions and enjoy trying foods from other cultures. Relationships are excellent because pupils listen and are listened to. Pupils express their opinions very clearly and are highly aware that all people deserve to be treated equally, whatever their background. Pupils are enthusiastic, mature and sensitive individuals. They make decisions competently about a healthy lifestyle and behaving safely. Behaviour is exemplary and pupils have a clear view of what is right and wrong.

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Grade: 1

They are very courteous and considerate, especially in the playground. Older pupils enable younger ones to feel safe and secure at playtimes. They are keen to take responsibility and love being buddies and school councillors. Pupils have learned much about economics and working in the community by planning the development of their woodland area.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Pupils and parents talk warmly about the teachers and the effective work they do. They recognise that this good practice leads to good progress in learning throughout the school. The main strengths are: • the good management of behaviour that ensures little disruption to learning • the extensive use of rewards and praise promotes a positive learning environment • good planning that caters for all needs • the increasing use of the highly improved ICT facilities to illustrate teaching points and challenge pupils’ understanding. Pupils continue to work independently at home using the electronic ‘portal’ link. Pupils learn best in the many lessons where the targets are clear and challenging. Just occasionally the high expectations of pupils are not met. This leads to weaker presentation and slower progress. Marking is closely related to individual learning targets and pupils are clear about how they are doing and what they need to do next.

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Grade: 2

Teaching in the Foundation Stage is good and children are actively involved in exciting and imaginative activities that fully engage them in learning. Pupils with extra learning needs are well supported and they make good progress. 3 Inspection Report: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 2006

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good and meets national and local requirements. It is greatly enhanced by the superb facilities in the new premises, especially for ICT and games. Enrichment of the curriculum is good and better than the weak picture described in the previous report. Good links with outside agencies, such as the Sport England project, have brought high quality coaching staff into the school. This has enabled pupils to take full advantage of the new facilities. Pupils value visitors, residential experiences, visits to museums and performing at the Sage Theatre. A local retired army officer talked to pupils about life in the Second World War and pupils produced some high quality personal responses as evacuees. However, there are insufficient opportunities for more extended pieces of writing across the curriculum. Provision for personal development is well structured and includes all aspects of health and safety and raising awareness

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Grade: 1

Care, guidance and support are outstanding. Care is the exemplary heart of this school. The family atmosphere superbly reflects the school’s aims of ‘friendly, happy and approachable’ and where every pupil is fully valued. Child protection procedures are robust and teachers have had appropriate training. Vulnerable pupils are well supported academically, socially and emotionally. They are taught how to manage their feelings as part of an excellent programme which includes ‘circle time’ (class discussions). Pupils are confident that grown ups will listen to them and help them if they have a problem. Arrangements for health and safety are excellent. The system for tracking pupils’ academic achievements is used very effectively by teachers to plan lessons. All pupils have targets set for them so that they know what it is they need to do in order to improve their work.

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Grade: 2

Inspectors agree with the school that leadership and management are good. The headteacher has a very strong and clear vision for the school. This has led to a range of improvements, such as: • a good upward trend in standards • the development of the new premises, with excellent ICT and sporting facilities and Foundation Stage accommodation • good enrichment of the curriculum that provides much wider opportunities for all pupils. These developments and the headteacher's part in their achievement are much appreciated by the whole school community and by partners who are working hard to regenerate the area. He is well supported by a strong deputy headteacher and active 4 Inspection Report: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 2006 governing body. The realistic school development plan identifies appropriate improvements and benefits from robust evaluation by staff. The school has a good

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Grade: 2

capacity to improve further. Financial management is prudent and whilst there is not much surplus money, the school has managed to use its funds well to increase provision. For example, the hiring of specialist sport coaches so that all pupils can get full benefit from the excellent new facilities. The sound governing body benefits from the good expertise of members and its impact on the school is improving. Governors played a strong role in getting the new building. However, their monitoring and evaluation of the school's work are at an early stage of development. Currently they are over-reliant on the headteacher and his colleagues for the information that leads to self-evaluation. 5 Inspection Report: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 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: Burradon Community Primary School, 6 July 2006 to 7 July 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 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 1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 1 The behaviour of learners NA 3 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 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

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0207 421 6800 F 0207 421 6707 Ofsted helpline 08456 404045 The Pupils Burradon Community Primary School Burradon Road Burradon Cramlington Northumberland NE23 7NG 6 July 2006 Dear Pupils The inspectors thoroughly enjoyed being in your school this week. We felt privileged to work with you and the staff of the school. Particular thanks are due to those who talked with us and we were very impressed by the courtesy and help you provided. What we really liked about your school: the good progress made by all children, including those with extra needs your enjoyment, excellent behaviour and kind help for others the excellent care that adults show for you all the important contribution that you make to the running of the school and the contribution that you make to the local community the good teaching the good leadership and management that has led to great improvements in recent years.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You are all working hard to write well, but there needs to be more opportunities for you to use and develop writing skills across all the subjects that you do. You can help your teachers by: always doing your best writing in all your subjects trying to improve on your previous work. The inspection team wishes you well and good luck for the future. Yours sincerely John Heap Lead Inspector

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