Binfield Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Binfield Church of England Primary School

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109999 Unique Reference Number Bracknell Forest Local Authority 278335 Inspection number 23 November 2006 Inspection date Charalambos Loizou Reporting inspector

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

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Benetfeld Road School address Primary Type of school Binfield Voluntary aided School category Bracknell RG42 4EW 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01344 860106 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01344 304802 Fax number 403 Number on roll (school) Mr Stuart Wharpshire Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Di Gare Headteacher 16 October 2000 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection date Age group 278335 23 November 2006 4 °11 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 an Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

This is a large primary school situated in a generally advantaged area. The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage and other pupils come from a broad range of backgrounds. A very small number of pupils are in the early stages of learning English. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is similar to that of most schools. The school has close links with its local church and with other schools and colleges.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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Grade: 2

Binfield is a good school where the pupils achieve well and reach high standards. There are some outstanding features that reflect the positive ethos of the school and the high expectations of the leadership team and governors. The pupils mature into courteous and very well behaved young people. They show caring attitudes and enjoy school, which is reflected in high attendance rates. This is a popular school because, as one parent rightly commented, 'This is a very well balanced school. The teachers are friendly and helpful. The children are polite and well-mannered'. Children start the school with above average skills. They achieve well in the Foundation Stage because of the good provision and teaching. Teachers and support staff regularly assess the Reception children's performance but do not always set accurate targets for the children or predict accurately how well they will do in the future. In Years 1 to

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Grade: 2

6, teaching and learning are good because they enable the pupils to achieve high standards in English and science and above average standards in mathematics. Standards are high in English because the teaching of letter sounds and writing are consistently effective and enable pupils to read fluently and confidently and write independently. Although mathematics standards are above average, they should be higher. The school has identified the teaching of calculation methods as a relative weakness and has targeted pupils of average ability to ensure they all reach the standards expected. The school's efforts are raising mathematics standards, reflecting the effective management of the subject. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They reflect thoughtfully on values such as cooperation and sharing and often demonstrate kindness when caring for others. Pupils have a high level of respect for different cultures and

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Grade: 2

beliefs. They have an excellent understanding of healthy living and the importance of exercise through the enhanced sporting opportunities provided. Pupils say they enjoy their school lunches very much and it is easy to see why. An excellent range of healthy food choices are provided and lunchtime is a calm and enjoyable time which the pupils look forward to very much. Pupils feel safe from harm or harassment because the staff are vigilant and sensitive to their needs, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities who, along with other pupils, learn and play in a safe and stimulating learning environment. The care and guidance pupils receive is good. There are good opportunities for the pupils to assess their own learning and that of others. The curriculum provides pupils with a good range of interesting and stimulating activities, including opportunities to use computers and interactive whiteboards.

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Grade: 2

Good leadership and management ensure that the school knows its own strengths and what needs to be improved further. Its capacity to keep on improving is good. In most respects the school's view of itself is accurate. Modest assessments of leadership and achievement reflect the senior team's high expectations and their belief that there is still more to be done. There has been good progress since the school's last inspection, demonstrating the outstanding leadership of the headteacher and deputy headteacher 2 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006 and excellent support provided by governors who are a real asset to the school. The school has established excellent links and partnerships with other school, organisations and with the local and wider community.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve the teaching of calculation to raise standards in mathematics. • Simplify and refine assessment in the Foundation Stage to ensure that individual targets for all the children are accurate.

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Grade: 2

Standards are high and the pupils achieve well in relation to their above average starting points. Children in the Foundation Stage make good progress and exceed the goals set for the start of Year 1. Standards by the end of Year 2 and Year 6 are high in reading, writing and science, and are above average in mathematics. A good proportion of pupils achieve higher levels but some pupils of average ability do not reach the standards expected in mathematics. This reflects inconsistencies in the way number calculation methods are taught. Targets are challenging and result in improving standards. Pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities are cared for and supported very well and make good progress. The small number of pupils in the early stages of learning English make good progress and quickly settle into school because they are supported well.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They enjoy school because of the wealth of learning activities provided. Pupils know very well the importance of exercise to healthy living through sport and they take good advantage of the very good opportunities to participate in keep-fit classes before school. They understand the importance of healthy eating. The excellent food provided by the school's own catering staff at lunchtime encourages the pupils to eat a balanced and healthy lunch. Relationships are excellent because adults provide very good support. This contributes to pupils' very good attitudes to learning and prepares them well for the future. Pupils say that they feel safe and know who to tell if they are unhappy. Older pupils look after younger ones and any disputes amongst pupils are sorted out through a very effective mediation system that successfully promotes positive attitudes

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Grade: 1

and very good behaviour. The school celebrates cultural diversity in lessons, assemblies and in community activities with the local church and the wider community. The school successfully uses initiatives to combat racism and promote positive attitudes towards other cultures. Through the school council, pupils make a valuable contribution to school life and are proud of their school. 3 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good with some that is outstanding. Lessons provide challenging and engaging activities and pupils respond with enthusiasm. In the Foundation Stage, children learn early language, mathematics and social skills through stimulating activities. Targets for Reception children are challenging but assessments are not always accurate enough to predict how well the children will do in the future. Throughout the school teachers plan their work carefully and make good use of resources, computers and interactive whiteboards which help to focus pupils' learning. From an early age, pupils learn their letter sounds very well so that pupils in Years 1 and 2 quickly learn to read and write independently and with confidence. Good planning in Years 3 to 6 builds on previous learning well so tasks are well matched to the abilities of the pupils. The school identified inconsistencies in the teaching of calculation

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Grade: 2

methods in mathematics which affects the progress of some pupils of average ability. Recent improvements and targeted support for groups of pupils are helping them to apply different calculation methods with increasing confidence. Teaching assistants make a strong contribution to pupils' learning and provide very effective help for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good with a good balance that supports pupils' personal and academic development. It builds on the good quality and standards in the Foundation Stage, which provides lively and stimulating activities for Reception children. Excellent links with other schools and organisations enable the school to offer a very good range of activities. For example, opportunities are provided for pupils to learn to play a musical instrument and to participate in sport and the creative arts. These enhance the curriculum and meet a wide range of needs and interests. Good use is made of information and communication technology (ICT), especially interactive whiteboards, which makes learning practical and fun. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are very well supported within lessons and through a wide range of additional activities with support staff.

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Grade: 2

Pupils are well cared for and supported and procedures to protect them are very good. Staff and governors undertake systematic and robust risk assessments and health and safety checks. Parents feel welcome and are pleased with the information they receive about the school and their children's work. Systems to assess pupils are good, although more is needed to refine and improve the accuracy of assessment and target setting in the Foundation Stage. Pupils evaluate their own work well and teachers provide 4 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006 clear learning objectives which help the pupils understand the next stage of their learning.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. Self-evaluation is accurate. Modest assessments in the past reflect the very high expectations of the leadership team. The management of subjects is good and planning for improvement takes good account of pupils', staff and parents' views. Accurate analyses of pupils' performance and the effective development of teaching have ensured that high standards are maintained. Appropriate intervention by the mathematics subject leader and leadership team has improved standards in mathematics. The school is increasingly developing new staff and improving the way all subjects are managed as a result. Governors hold the school to account very well. There are very good systems that ensure they monitor the school's performance and successfully promote the school. Resources are of high quality and create a positive learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. The school's track record of improvement shows that it has good capacity

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Grade: 2

to continue improving and to maintain high standards. 5 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006 .

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Grade: 2

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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Inspection judgements

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

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Overall effectiveness

How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 2 The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 1 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The behaviour of learners 1 The attendance of learners 1 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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and interests of learners?

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

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and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 7 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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and supporting all learners?

How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 8 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I was delighted to visit your school recently and write to thank you for your help and for making me feel very welcome. Your school provides a good education for you and some aspects are excellent. I think these are the best things about your school: • you are very well behaved and try hard in lessons • your teachers are helping you to do well lessons and give you lots of opportunities to help other pupils • you enjoy learning, reach high standards and come to school regularly and on time • your parents are very happy with the school • the staff take good care of you and this helps you develop excellent attitudes • your school is well managed and both the staff and governors do a great deal to provide extra activities for you before and after school. I have asked your teachers to: • help some of you improve your mathematics work so you can all work out number problems with accuracy and confidence • keep a close check on how well Reception children are doing to make sure their targets are

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

accurate. I wish you all the very best. Yours faithfully Charalambos LoizouLead Inspector 9 Inspection Report: Binfield Church of England Primary School, 23 November 2006

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