Burwell Village College (Primary)

Inspection Report Burwell Village College (Primary)

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110758 Unique Reference Number CAMBRIDGESHIRE LEA LEA 278504 Inspection number 2 March 2006 to 3 March 2006 Inspection dates Mr. Raymond Jardine LI Reporting inspector

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

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The Causeway School address Primary Type of school CB5 0DX Community School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01638 613103 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01638 741901 Fax number 412 Number on roll Mr.Alan Orme Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Jackie Webster Headteacher Not applicable Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278504 2 March 2006 - 4 to 11 3 March 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is larger than most other primary schools and serves the village of Burwell and its surrounding rural district. The school works in partnership with others on the same site to offer a number of additional services to the local community. Almost all pupils are of White British background. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs is below average. Pupils' attainment on entry to the school is about average. The school has achieved several awards in recent years, including The Basic Skills Quality Mark, the ACTIVEMark Gold Award and FA Charter Mark for physical education, and the NAACEMark for information and communication technology (ICT) provision.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 2006

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Grade: 2

Burwell Village College provides a good education for its pupils and is at the heart of the community it serves. The school's extensive links with the local and wider community contribute greatly to pupils' personal development, the breadth of the curriculum and quality of care provided. The inspectors agree with the school's views of its effectiveness. It provides good value for money. Pupils make a good start in school because the provision in Reception Year is rich and well planned. This progress is evident in later years and overall standards in Years 2 and 6 are significantly above average. Standards in English have improved most because of the effort the school has made to raise achievement, particularly in writing. In mathematics, however, some more able pupils do not do as well as in other subjects because they lack confidence in their problem-solving and investigative skills. The school is working to improve

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Grade: 2

these skills in both mathematics and science. Teaching is good. Pupils' progress towards their targets is closely monitored and the correct action is taken where necessary. The guidance pupils receive on how to improve their work through marking is a current priority. Some of it is good, but it is not yet consistently so across the school. Pupils' personal development has some outstanding features, as has the quality of care provided. Pupils enjoy learning and their contribution to school life and the wider community are excellent. They also benefit greatly from the school's work to encourage healthy diet and physical fitness. The curriculum is enriched by an outstanding range of additional activities and events that enhance pupils' experiences. The school is well led and managed and governance is effective. The school's effective actions taken to tackle its weaknesses in recent years demonstrate its good capacity to improve further.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Further raise standards by continuing current work to introduce more problem-solving and investigative activities into mathematics and science. - Ensure that the guidance pupils receive on how to improve their work through marking and other feedback is consistently good across the school.

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Grade: 2

Pupils attain standards that are significantly above average by Year 6. Taking account of their average attainment on entry to the school, they achieve well. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are supported effectively and make good progress. Reception pupils are taught in a very stimulating and encouraging environment. Well-led and well-planned provision enables them to make good progress, especially in their personal, social and emotional development. Pupils continue to make good progress and reach above average standards in reading, writing and mathematics by Year 2. A good proportion of pupils achieved above the expected level in all three of these subjects in 2005 and these above average standards are being maintained in the current Year 2. Pupils' overall attainment in Year 6 has been rising in recent years. 2 Inspection Report: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 2006

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Grade: 2

There were major improvements in English as a result of the emphasis placed on improving writing standards throughout the school. Standards in mathematics and science also rose and were above average in 2005. English standards were exceptionally high and targets were exceeded by some margin. Over half of the pupils achieved above the expected level in both English and science. In mathematics, however, some more able pupils did not achieve as well because they were not confident enough in their investigative and problem-solving skills. Consequently, one of the mathematics targets was missed. The school is rightly focussing attention on developing such skills in order to improve both mathematics and science to the high standards of English. The school's targets for 2006 are appropriately challenging. Pupils also make good progress in ICT. They have good access to computers and use them regularly in many

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Grade: 1

The school's excellent links with the community and the many opportunities for pupils to take responsibility, together with the school's insistence on good behaviour, result in outstanding personal development. Relationships throughout the school are very good, and consequently pupils respect the adults in school and one another. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very good. Pupils know the difference between right and wrong, and pupils say that bullying and unkind behaviour are rare. They learn to appreciate music, art and literature. Pupils understand the diversity of values, cultures and beliefs through geography and religious education lessons, and through the many visits and visitors to school. Pupils enjoy school and attendance is above average. In the Reception class, children understand what is expected of them. They develop independence and behave well. Pupils enjoy many rewards for their

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Grade: 1

achievements and consequently behaviour in lessons and around the school are good. Pupils know how to stay safe and have faith in the adults in the school to deal with their worries. Pupils much enjoy the wide range of sporting and physical activities that the school offers, and have an excellent understanding of the need to eat healthily and take exercise. The pupils' considerable contribution to the school and wider community is also outstanding. They take full advantage of the many opportunities to take responsibility, such as being playground buddies and organising treat days. The school's central place in the wider community is exemplified by links with the local day centre for the elderly, and pupils often initiate charity collections and projects. Through the influential school council, pupils are much involved in changing school life. High standards in literacy and ICT and very good group work prepare pupils well

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Grade: 1

for their future working lives. 3 Inspection Report: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 2006

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning are good overall. Lessons are well structured and mostly planned around clear objectives for learning and around criteria for success. These are shared with the pupils and explained effectively. Activities usually challenge the most able and are suitably adapted to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs. In many lessons, the variety of activities employed is good and is underpinned by the efficient use of time which means that learning continues at a brisk pace. This in turn maintains the pupils' interest and concentration. Questioning is thoughtful and probing. Teachers provide good opportunities for small group work and this helps the pupils learn to cooperate, to take account of one another's views and to develop their speaking and listening skills. Teachers also make good use of the interactive whiteboards to make lessons enjoyable and interesting. Teaching assistants

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Grade: 2

are well deployed to help children to learn effectively and to make sufficient progress in small groups. Assessment is used well to guide planning and to group pupils by ability. Marking is up to date, with some teachers providing comments to show how pupils can make their work better. However, there are inconsistencies of approach to marking that the school is working to improve.

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Grade: 1

The school provides its pupils with a programme for learning that is broad and balanced and gives suitable emphasis to different subjects and the development of skills, in particular in literacy, numeracy and ICT. The learning environment in lessons and around the school is dynamic and attractive. The Foundation Stage curriculum is well planned and provides children with a good start to their education, as well as emphasising an understanding of how to stay safe and healthy. An outstanding feature of the school's work is the well-attended variety of activities, during and after school hours. There are also many trips to places of interest and a diverse range of visitors are invited in to the school to broaden the pupils' views of community and national issues. An extensive programme for encouraging healthy lifestyles ensures that pupils are clear about healthy eating and drinking and learn about the dangers of smoking.

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Grade: 1

The emphasis on physical recreation ensures that the pupils get plenty of exercise, which they enjoy.

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Grade: 1

The quality of care, guidance and support is outstanding. The school's central role in the community and the additional services it provides create a caring ethos in which children and families are very well known to all staff. For example, the family link worker plays an important role in involving parents more fully in their children's 4 Inspection Report: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 2006 education and the life of the school. The courses and clubs and parenting classes provided by the link worker ensure that she knows families very well, and her involvement means that pupils' needs are addressed quickly and thoroughly. Arrangements for transition into the Reception class and to local secondary schools are very good. Procedures for child protection and for making sure pupils are safe in school, and on trips outside, are robust. Systems for checking how well pupils are

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Grade: 1

doing are also very well developed, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics, and action is taken to provide support to pupils who need it. Staff regularly use these systems to set appropriate targets for writing.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management, including governance, are good. The headteacher and her two assistant headteachers, all appointed in 2004, provide good leadership that is focussed on improving standards. The school's monitoring of teaching and its use of assessment to guide its work were both weaknesses at the time of the last inspection. Much has been done in the last two years to ensure that pupils' progress is more systematically monitored in key areas and that action is taken where necessary by managers throughout the school. The effectiveness of teaching and the curriculum is also monitored in a variety of ways and this has led to improvements in teaching quality. The great majority of parents have full confidence in the school's work and measures are in place to listen and respond to their concerns. Overall, the school accurately diagnoses its strengths and weaknesses and the priorities in its improvement

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Grade: 2

plan are soundly based. Rising standards, particularly in English and ICT in recent years, demonstrate the impact of these improvements in management and the school's good capacity to improve further. Staff morale is high because they are consulted and feel central to the school's improvement. Teachers and teaching assistants work closely in the interests of all pupils. Much is done to ensure that vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs are able to do as well as they can. Subject co-ordinators are enthusiastic, committed and knowledgeable. Their work forms an integral part of the school's self-review cycle and they do much to provide training and guidance to colleagues. The governing body is led effectively. Governors know the school well through their regular visits and reports from many sources. Finances are managed and targeted appropriately and their impact is checked to ensure that the school achieves

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Grade: 2

good value for money. 5 Inspection Report: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 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: Burwell Village College (Primary), 2 March 2006 to 3 March 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 1 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 2 The attendance of learners NA 2 How well learners enjoy their education NA 2 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 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 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 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

You may remember that we visited your school recently. We would like to thank you for the politeness you showed us during our visit. We spoke with many of you in lessons and in discussions and what you said helped us come to some judgements about the quality of education you receive. We think you go to a good school. You enjoy school life and you get on well with your fellow pupils and with adults at the school. We were impressed by your behaviour and enthusiasm for learning. Here are some of our findings about your school. What we liked about your school: - The teaching is good. Consequently, you make good progress in acquiring new knowledge and skills, especially in English. - The wide range of visits and visitors to the school, together with many extra-curricular activities provided, broaden your education and bring learning to life. - The adults in your school take very good care of you and regularly

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

check how well you are doing to help ensure that you do not fall behind. - You take seriously the need to be healthy and are very aware of the importance of good diet and exercise. - You make an excellent contribution to school life and to the community through your influential school council, and the many projects and community events. - Staff and governors are strongly committed to making your education better and are constantly looking at ways of improving it. There are some things that Mrs Webster and inspectors agree could be even better. The school is currently trying to improve your investigative and problem-solving skills in both mathematics and science. Teachers are also working to provide you with more help on how you can improve your work and reach your targets. You can help them by continuing to work hard, especially in mathematics and science, so that you do as well as you already are in English. With

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

our best wishes for your future at Burwell Village College.

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