Newton Longville Church of England Primary School

Newton Longville Church of England Combined School Inspection report

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110440 Unique Reference Number Buckinghamshire Local Authority 278433 Inspection number 28 °29 September 2005 Inspection dates Judith Dawson 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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Primary Type of school Voluntary controlled School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Tessa Haddon Chair Mrs Kris Kuzminska Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection School Drive School address Newton Longville Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK17 0BZ

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01908373428 Telephone number 01908648416 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 28 °29 September 2005 Inspection dates 278433 Inspection number .

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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 smaller than average, popular rural Church of England school serves a mixed but mainly advantaged community. More than a third of pupils come from outside the catchment area. Very few pupils take free school meals. There are a few pupils who are not of white British origin but all are fluent in English. The number of pupils with special educational needs is lower than average. Attendance is high and mobility is below average. The building of new schools in Milton Keynes has caused a slight drop in the school roll.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Newton Longville Church of England Combined School, 28 °29 September 2005

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What the school should do to improve further

* Improve the achievement of more able pupils, especially in writing * Further evaluate the school's performance to inform plans for improvement * Provide more opportunities for pupils to use ICT within other subjects* Ensure literacy and numeracy lessons are sharp and well focussed to create more time for pupils to practise and extend their skills across the curriculum

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Grade:

Teaching is satisfactory overall with significant strengths but also some weaknesses that restrict the progress of some pupils, particularly the more able. Teachers have very good relationships with pupils. As a result they are keen to succeed. Lessons are carefully structured to develop pupils' understanding. Teachers use a wide range of teaching strategies and resources to capture pupils' interest and have been particularly successful in motivating boys. Teaching assistants support learning well. In an outstanding music lesson the teacher's high expectations and expertise generated delight and high levels of performance in her pupils. However, in some lessons teachers' expectations are not high enough. Work is well matched to the capabilities of the lower ability pupils, but is sometimes too easy for the more able pupils who are not sufficiently challenged to apply their learning. Some teachers spend too long reinforcing key

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Grade:

points and do not move learning on fast enough.

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Grade:

Overall, the curriculum is satisfactory. It is broad and relevant, with a variety of opportunities for enrichment, and follows national guidelines. Cross curricular links, for example, within the "Theme Weeks" enliven the curriculum. However, in some areas it is not sufficiently balanced. In English, for example, sometimes the concentration on technical skills restricts opportunities for pupils to write. The school has recently identified opportunities for pupils to use their reading and writing skills in other subjects. However, literacy and numeracy lessons are often still too long. Consequently, the pupils do not have enough time to extend and practise these skills in a range of contexts. ICT is taught by both a specialist teacher and the class teachers and the pupils develop the skills and competencies expected for their age. However, the teacher's planning and discussion with the pupils indicates that pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to use ICT as a tool

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Grade:

to support learning in other subjects. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Newton Longville Church of England Combined School, 28 °29 September 2005 A good range of sporting and music clubs and visits (including a residential visit for Year 6 pupils), provides a wealth of additional activities to promote pupils' physical and creative development. There is very good provision for music.

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Grade:

The care, guidance and support provided for pupils is very good and a significant strength of the school. Everyone is valued and all adults are committed to promoting the pupils' best interests. Pupils' personal development is well provided for and they are taught how to keep safe and healthy. The close links with the local church form an integral part of the school's ethos of care and support. Pupils feel confident to discuss worries or concerns. They have targets to work towards and know how to improve their work, although guidance for the more able pupils in English does not always motivate them to excel as both the targets and the advice on how to extend learning are not sufficiently challenging. The school has good systems in place to ensure that pupils are safe. All staff are aware of the procedures relating to child protection. There are strong links with outside agencies to safeguard the interests of the most

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Grade:

vulnerable children and to support pupils with specific needs.

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Newton Longville Church of England Combined School, 28 °29 September 2005 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Newton Longville Church of England Combined School, 28 °29 September 2005

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Pupils Thank you very much indeed for your friendliness and support during our visit to your school. You showed us how proud you are of the school and each other and how much you enjoy being at school and learning. I should like to tell you some of the things that are good about your school. * Everyone in your school is valued and cared for very well * Your school is a very happy place because your behaviour is excellent, you look after each other and carry out your responsibilities very well * Those of you who need a little extra help make good progress because teachers support you well There are a few things your school could do to make it even better, with your help.* Teachers sometimes do not expect enough of your writing skills, especially the clever pupils amongst you. You can help them by showing them what you are capable of in your written work* You do not have enough opportunities to use ICT to support your work in other subjects and

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

sometimes your English and mathematics lessons are too long so you have less time to use your skills in other subjects* Your new headteacher already knows the school well and now needs to decide on the most important things to do to help the school improve. She would be pleased to hear your views Yours sincerely, Mrs. Judy Dawson, lead inspector Lead Inspector 7 of 7 Inspection Report: Newton Longville Church of England Combined School, 28 °29 September 2005

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