Harston and Newton Community Primary School

Inspection Report Harston and Newton Community Primary School

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110612 Unique Reference Number CAMBRIDGESHIRE LEA LEA 278469 Inspection number 5 July 2006 to 6 July 2006 Inspection dates Mr. John Paull AI Reporting inspector

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

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High Street School address Primary Type of school CB2 5PX Community School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01223 870345 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01223 870345 Fax number 121 Number on roll Mrs.Alison Kemp Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Lisa Murphy Headteacher 27 March 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278469 5 July 2006 - 4 to 11 6 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 an Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

Pupils are drawn mainly from the two villages after which the school is named, although a few come from a much wider area, including the city of Cambridge. Nearly all pupils are of White British background. Numbers on roll are increasing. Children's attainment on entry is broadly average. There is a higher proportion of pupils with learning difficulties than is found in most schools. The school has forged links with several prestigious initiatives and has, for example, attained the British Council's 'International Status.' The school is currently emerging from a period of considerable staffing change.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 July 2006

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Grade: 2

The inspection confirms the school's view of itself as a good school. Pupils achieve well as they move through the school, which holds true for pupils of different abilities and backgrounds and those with learning difficulties. By the time pupils leave in Year 6, their standards are above average. The teaching and learning are good. Pupils' personal development is exceptional, with many pupils showing high standards of care and concern for each other. Behaviour in lessons is excellent and pupils are polite and very friendly towards visitors. Despite a period of considerable change, provision has remained good and nearly all parents who gave their opinions are positive and confident about the school's future. Nevertheless, a few feel that more could be done to keep them better informed about their children's progress, so that they can help their children make further progress. The provision for children in the Reception class is

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Grade: 2

well managed and they make good progress towards the goals that they are expected to reach. Nevertheless, weaknesses in the outdoor provision limit the school's capacity to develop children's skills more fully in some aspects of their work. Leadership and management are good. A new headteacher and chair of governors are establishing a strong partnership and have already forged a shared vision for future progress. Improvement since the last inspection has been good, and the capacity for this to continue is also good. The school provides good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Improve the outdoor area for children in the Reception class, so that it can be used more easily to develop children's skills in all areas of their learning. - Improve the information given to parents about their children's achievements and progress, so that they are better able to support their children with their work at home.

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Grade: 2

For several years the school's results in Year 6 national tests have been above average in English, mathematics and science. Pupils' achievement is good. Pupils' work, set alongside this year's test results, indicates that this positive picture is set to continue. Teachers analyse pupils' results carefully to find any areas of underachievement and steps are taken to rectify them. Teachers then set challenging targets for pupils to attain and the curriculum is adapted to meet pupils' needs. In recent years, the school has met and often exceeded its targets. More able boys and girls are supported well and, by Year 6, make sufficient progress to reach levels higher than those normally expected for their age. Pupils with learning difficulties also make good progress towards their own targets which are clearly written and specific to their needs. Good achievement is also in evidence elsewhere in the school. Results of assessments in

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Grade: 2

Year 2 are usually better than average owing to pupils' continuing good progress. Most children enter school with broadly average standards. In Reception, while 2 Inspection Report: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 July 2006 children's progress is good, the outside area does not promote good learning across all the areas that children experience.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' personal development, including spiritual, moral and social development, is outstanding. Their cultural development is good. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is outstanding. They engage with all the challenges that are set, cooperating with each other most effectively. They are polite and attentive in class, which supports their progress in lessons strongly, as very little time is wasted on unnecessary interruptions. In questionnaires, nearly all parents responded that their children enjoy school very much. Pupils confirmed that this is so, and their enjoyment is reflected in good levels of attendance and punctuality. Children in the Reception class make good progress towards the personal, social and emotional goals for their age group. Pupils feel that bullying is rare and that teachers deal effectively with what occurs. 'The teachers here have eagle eyes, so it wouldn't be easy to do something really bad,' was

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Grade: 1

a typical comment. Pupils express positive attitudes towards other countries and peoples of different backgrounds and cultures. Pupils contribute well to village activity, such as the musical morning in Newton and the Harston Festival. Pupils know the importance of keeping safe and healthy. They understand the need to drink frequently from their water bottles and older pupils understand 'dehydration' and 'rehydration'. Another strong feature is that many walk, cycle or use their scooters to come to school. Pupils understand how to keep safe. Pupils' skills in literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) are good and they work together on tasks exceptionally well, qualities which will help them in later life.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good. Good use of assessment ensures that pupils are challenged with tasks well matched to their abilities. Occasionally, teachers' explanations of tasks are not full enough to ensure that pupils can follow points in a lesson easily. For example, the distinction between different types of container was not pointed out clearly in a lesson on capacity, when this information was needed to ensure understanding about what had been measured. Despite several changes in personnel, including senior management, the staff are a good team. Morale is strong, so colleagues offer information and advise each other willingly, sharing ideas and expertise to the benefit of pupils. Systems to help newly qualified teachers are also very good, ensuring that they are confident and teach well. Teachers have effectively introduced ideas into lessons, in conjunction with other local schools, to raise pupils'

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Grade: 2

confidence in solving mathematical problems. Teaching assistants know what to do to support pupils effectively. Teachers provide books for them to record what they notice about pupils' work and progress, so that teachers are kept well informed. 3 Inspection Report: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 July 2006

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Grade: 2

The school offers a broad curriculum vitalised by much practical work. The use of resources and artefacts is planned well. In Years 3 to 6, a well planned cross subject project entitled 'A Trip Through Time' demonstrated the planned use of real artefacts to enrich teaching. Links through the British Council to schools abroad provide good opportunities to develop pupils' ICT skills and knowledge of distant places. Physical education is supported strongly by the spacious grounds and the school's own swimming pool. Visits and visitors, including local residents with particular expertise or experience, are also employed well to support planning and learning in many subjects. In the Reception class, staff compensate for the shortcomings in the outside area so that children experience the curriculum that they should.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. All staff share a strong commitment to pupils' welfare, based on teamwork and good information. Close links with external agencies mean that relevant specialist help is sought for pupils who need it. A breakfast club and after school care extend provision further. Procedures for child protection and first aid are well organised and include regular training for staff. Systems for safeguarding pupils are carried out conscientiously. School council members feel that the staff listen to pupils' concerns and 'take children seriously'. Pupils' academic progress is also monitored carefully. Overwhelmingly, parents indicated similar positive views about the school's provision, although a significant few feel that procedures to inform them about their children's progress are not robust enough to enable parents to support their children adequately at home. The inspection confirms this view. The

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Grade: 2

new headteacher has also identified this as an for area for development.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. Although the headteacher joined the staff only at the beginning of this term, she has already begun to evaluate the school's performance realistically and accurately. For example, weaknesses in information for parents and in the outdoor provision for Reception children have been included in initial evaluations. The headteacher has quickly formed trusting relationships with pupils, staff, governors and parents, one of whom commented, 'The new head is very visible and seems to know everyone as though she's been here for ages'. Monitoring systems that provide information about provision and to assess pupils' learning and progress have clearly been sufficiently strong to permit a smooth takeover. The school has good partnerships with local schools and other agencies. A new senior leadership team and a chair of governors are in place and are already sharing a vision for the

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Grade: 2

future based on maintaining high standards. Other governors are supportive and knowledgeable. Since the last inspection, good management has ensured continued 4 Inspection Report: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 July 2006 improvement. Leadership of subjects, including provision for pupils with learning difficulties and children in the Reception, is good. Weaknesses have been identified, brought to the attention of the whole staff team and action taken, so good improvement has occurred. All of these features suggest that the school is well placed to flourish. 5 Inspection Report: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 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: Harston and Newton Community Primary School, 5 July 2006 to 6 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 2 The attendance of learners NA 1 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 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 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

Dear Children Thank you for being so kind, friendly and polite when I visited your school. You helped such a lot to make the two days go smoothly. I enjoyed speaking to you and seeing your work. It is great that so many of you told me that you like school and that your teachers teach and look after you well. I agree with your opinions. I also enjoyed talking to the school council members. I agree with them that your school is good and that your work is of good quality. Here are some other good things about your school. - The way that you cooperate with your teachers and each other is excellent. - Your behaviour, especially in lessons, is outstanding. - Your lessons are often practical and are well planned. - Your new headteacher has lots of ideas for the school's future and has already begun to make good changes. I have asked your headteacher, teachers and school governors to. - Improve what is available outdoors for

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Reception children. - Find better ways to tell your parents about your work and progress. I hope that you will get on very well in the future and that you will always be proud of your school. Yours sincerely

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