Millfields Primary School and Nursery

Inspection Report Millfields Primary School and Nursery

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111079 Unique Reference Number Cheshire LEA 278592 Inspection number 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005 Inspection dates Mrs Judith Clarke CfBT Lead Inspector Reporting inspector

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

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Marsh Lane School address Primary Type of school Nantwich Community School category Cheshire CW5 5HP 3 to 11 Age range of pupils 01270 625587 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01270 623743 Fax number 222 Number on roll Mr N Ascroft Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr G Evans Headteacher 26 June 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278592 17 October 2005 - 3 to 11 18 October 2005 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

This is an average-sized school in a mixed social area. Almost all children are from a white British heritage. None of the children are at an early stage of learning English as an additional language. The number of children known to be eligible for free school meals is average with the numbers of children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities below average. The number of children with a Statement of Special Educational Need is above average. The children's skills on entry to the school are below the levels expected. Because of a recent increase in new housing in the area, the school has admitted large numbers of children into each year group. The school benefits from support from the local high school, which has specialist Performing Arts status.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005

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Grade: 2

This is a good school with some outstanding features. A strength of the school is the care and guidance that are available for the children. The children enjoy all that the school provides and their behaviour, attitudes to work and attendance are outstanding. The curriculum is rich and provides a wealth of interesting activities. Parents are confident in the care provided and comment positively on the supportive learning environment. Teaching is good. Attainment on entry is below the levels expected but the 2005 national test results show that the Year 6 children achieved standards above the national and local expectation. This is an improvement on the 2004 position where standards had fallen since 2003 and dipped to a position that was below average. There is a particular strength in the progress the children make in their art and design work and information and communication technology (ICT). The children make good

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Grade: 2

progress. The school rightly considers that there is more to do throughout the school to improve the children's writing skills, especially in respect of the boys and the higher attaining children. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make good progress because of the extra help they receive in lessons, which enables them to learn. The school is well led and managed and self-evaluation is accurate. The ethos of care in the school is outstanding; this is because of the drive and commitment of the headteacher and the teamwork of all staff. However, there is more to do in the monitoring of teaching and learning to spread good practice and expertise throughout the school. The school has made good improvements since the last inspection and the school is well placed to improve further. The school provides good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

Focus on: • raising achievement in writing especially for the higher attaining children and the boys • establishing regular systematic and rigorous monitoring of teaching to enable good practice and expertise to be shared.

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Grade: 2

Standards in the school have been adversely affected in the last two years by a number of key factors. Most important has been the significant numbers of children who have joined the school part-way through their schooling. This position has now stabilised and the school's data shows that standards are rising throughout the school. Most children start their schooling in the Nursery class and transfer into the Reception class. On entry to the Reception class, children's skills range widely but are generally below average. They make good progress throughout the Foundation Stage and by the end of the Reception Year most reach the levels expected. 2 Inspection Report: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005 Inspection evidence shows that children in Years 1 and 2 make good progress. The children reach broadly average standards in reading, writing and mathematics, although

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Grade: 2

the spread of attainment is wide. The school's results for Year 6 children in the 2004 national tests were not strong, reflecting a below average position. Especially weak were the numbers of children reaching the higher than expected level in English; a major contributory factor was the significant number of pupils joining the school part way through their schooling. However, the preliminary 2005 test results for the Year 6 children show that they achieved higher standards than in 2004 and above those expected nationally and locally. Inspection evidence also shows that the children make good progress throughout the school and standards are rising. The school has correctly recognised that performance is better in mathematics and science than it is in writing. The school has identified that the boys and higher-attainers, in particular, need extra help with writing. Standards in art and design and ICT are above those expected and reflect a good range

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Grade: 2

of skills being taught and a firm commitment to a creative and expressive curriculum. Standards in ICT have risen since the last inspection and reflect the drive in the school for development. All children have challenging targets to work towards; this has improved since the last inspection. Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities make good progress in their lessons because the teachers are focused on improvement.

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Grade: 2

Children's personal development and well-being are good. Children are attentive in lessons and try their best. Children bubble with enthusiasm as they explain exactly what it is that makes this school special. A child reflected, 'The children are what I like most about this school - everyone's so kind. I love coming'. Outstanding attendance and impressive punctuality illustrate that most children agree. The school accepts nothing less and these good habits prepare them well for the world of work. Children are aware of the expectations all adults have of their behaviour and they do not disappoint. They agree there is no bullying or racism here. The cheery atmosphere is founded on excellent relationships nurtured by the headteacher. Children have a well-developed sense of respect for the feelings of others and show sensitive understanding that everyone can shine at something. They happily celebrate these successes. At playtimes, older children show good teamwork as they sell milk as

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Grade: 2

part of the thriving healthy eating initiative. Children show good familiarity with their local heritage, studying 'canal culture', for example. Children taste a variety of cultures through art and design, and religious studies. Even so, they do not learn enough about what it means to live in modern multicultural Britain. 3 Inspection Report: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good throughout the school. The children's enjoyment of their learning is evident and they respond very well in their lessons and make good progress. Teachers plan their lessons carefully and activities are well matched to meet the needs of the children. The teachers are particularly aware of the need to ensure that the higher- attaining children and the boys are challenged with their learning and are interested and stimulated. ICT is used particularly well to engage children's interests. The youngest children in the school enjoy their activities and have great fun learning new things. They are confident and secure in their surroundings and learn happily. Older children are prepared to work hard and listen carefully to their teachers. The effective deployment of teaching assistants ensures that those children who have specific learning needs are well supported. Relationships throughout the school are

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Grade: 2

outstanding and children respond well to the teachers' high expectations of good behaviour. Sometimes the introductions to lessons are overlong, which slows learning. The children have very clear targets to work towards and these are regularly reviewed. The teachers know the children well, target questions carefully in lessons and make good use of praise. Teachers mark children's work rigorously and their helpful comments enable children to know exactly what it is they need to do next to improve.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is planned to ensure enjoyment and achievement for all age groups. There are many after-school clubs to further children's interests, educational visits and visitors to the school. The residential visits in Year 2 and Year 6 provide special occasions for the children, encouraging healthy and varied life styles. Children talk knowledgeably about the healthy lunch options available. The very attractive school grounds provide both environmental and social opportunities for all. A particular strength is the outstanding quality of the children's artwork displayed throughout the school. The school is successful in seeking to help children make more sense of what they are learning by planning lessons, which cross different subject areas. Older children can make choices on how they present their work and the increased use of ICT has helped develop writing. For example, using the computer Year 6 children have produced fantastic animated screenplays in the mode of 'Wallace

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Grade: 1

The care in the school is outstanding. It is a place where every child matters. Adults who work in the school know the children very well. Staff review children's progress 4 Inspection Report: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005 regularly and maintain a very careful check on their personal development. Children say, very readily, that they feel safe at school, with no fear of being bullied or discriminated against. They trust the staff, and have great confidence that there is always someone they can turn to for help. A strong ethos of care permeates all aspects of school life. As a result, children are confident and successful learners. Child protection and health and safety procedures are fully in place. The vast majority of the parents are very supportive of the school and most of them feel that their children are extremely well cared for. The school encourages the children to embrace healthy lifestyles. Children are made

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Grade: 1

well aware of the dangers of drugs abuse and of the benefits of good hygiene and regular exercise.

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Grade: 2

The leadership and management of the school are good. The headteacher shows a clear commitment to the children in his care. A strong staff team shares his vision and all are committed to school improvement. School evaluation is accurate and priorities for development clear. The key coordinators have analysed data and the children's performance and have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the school. They are rigorous and systematic in their planning for improvement. Consequently, all work with common aims and purpose. The monitoring of teaching, and sharing of good practice, is yet to be systematically developed and is an area for improvement. The school works closely with the local high school, which has specialist Performing Arts status, and as a result, teachers' expertise and children's standards have improved. The views of the children are sought and acted upon and the children

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Grade: 2

play a significant part in the day-to-day running of the school. Parents recognise the high quality of care and the importance placed by the school on ensuring that children are safe. The school is responsive to parents' requests. Children's performance is regularly and carefully checked and resources are deployed well and used efficiently. The governing body fulfils its statutory responsibilities well. Governors have efficient systems in place; they are closely involved with the work of the school and are knowledgeable about the school's strengths and weaknesses. 5 Inspection Report: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005 .

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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: Millfields Primary School and Nursery, 17 October 2005 to 18 October 2005

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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 2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 1 The behaviour of learners NA 1 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 2 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 1 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

As you know, three inspectors recently visited your school to find out how well your teachers are helping you with your learning. Thank you for being so friendly and talking to us. We really enjoyed talking to you about your work, looking at your books and speaking to your teachers and attending your assemblies. What we like most about your school: - Your warm and friendly welcome - it was a pleasure to visit - You are polite and friendly to each other in the classroom and when playing outside - Your behaviour in school is outstanding - You work hard and enjoy all you do - You have good lessons which help you to improve your work - Your headteacher runs your school well; he listens to what you have to say and works hard to make changes - Those of you who need a little extra help get it in the right sort of way - We agree with your parents and carers that you go to a good school. We have asked your teachers to improve some things to make your school even better. These

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

are: - To help you get better at your writing - To check teaching in the school so that it gets even better. We hope that you will continue to work hard in school and help the teachers so that Millfields becomes an even better school.

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