Christleton Primary School

Inspection Report Christleton Primary School

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111149 Unique Reference Number Cheshire LEA 278609 Inspection number 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 Inspection dates Mrs Margot D'Arcy 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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Quarry Lane School address Primary Type of school Christleton Community School category Chester, Cheshire CH3 7AY 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01244 332324 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01244 332145 Fax number 212 Number on roll Mrs Andrea Mageean Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr David Harker Headteacher 13 March 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278609 8 March 2006 - 4 to 11 9 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 two additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

This school is situated in the village of Christleton on the outskirts of Chester in Cheshire. When compared with the national picture the area is fairly advantaged, both socially and economically. Virtually all children are of white British background and speak English as their first language. A very small minority is at an early stage of learning English. The proportion of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. When children begin school their overall level of attainment is generally above that expected for their age. The school has been successful in attaining a School Achievement Award in 2003, Healthy Schools Award and the Active Mark for sport and physical development.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school with some outstanding features. It judges itself to be good and inspectors agree. Children are very happy at school and thoroughly enjoy learning. This is because the teaching is consistently good and there is a rich and stimulating curriculum. Good quality provision in the Foundation Stage leads to children achieving well and attaining good standards by the end of the Reception year. As they get older, children continue to make good progress in all year groups. By Year 6, standards are generally well above average. Whilst there was a dip in the most recent Year 6 test results, these still reflected mostly good progress for that particular group of children. However, writing results were much lower than the school expected so a rigorous investigation occurred to find out why and put things right. Inspectors found that children develop their writing skills well in English lessons, but not as well as they

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Grade: 2

should in other subjects. The school is very successful at promoting children's personal development, which is outstanding. The high level of care and support provided ensures that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those at an early stage of learning English make good progress. Leadership and management are good with some outstanding features and the school has moved on well since its last inspection. The headteacher has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and has identified the right priorities for improvement. Strong relationships exist with parents who are extremely happy with the education and care that their children receive. The school provides good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Plan and provide more opportunities for children to use and develop extended writing across the curriculum.

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Grade: 2

Children achieve well. They get off to a good start in the Reception class and by the end of the year all reach the standards expected for their age and a good proportion exceeds them. Good progress continues in Years 1 to 6. Standards by the end of Year 2 are well above average and these are maintained through to Year 6. The 2005 Year 6 test results were lower than usual, being broadly average overall. In mathematics, science and the reading element of English, achievement was generally good but writing results were less positive and suggested some underachievement in this element. Rigorous analysis by the school showed that this was linked to some children's, notably boys', competence in one particular aspect of writing. In the last year a good plan for improvement has been devised, with standards and achievement being checked closely. The resulting whole school focus on writing, including planning work that particularly

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Grade: 2

appeals to boys' interests, is proving successful. Standards are set to rise again this year to meet challenging targets. Children make good progress in other subjects, especially creative areas, such as art and design and physical education. Skills in 2 Inspection Report: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 information and communication technology (ICT) are good and are developed well across the curriculum. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities achieve at the same good rate as others. Those at an early stage of learning English make rapid progress in this area. Higher attainers and children with particular gifts and talents are extended well to reach their potential.

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Grade: 1

Children's personal development is outstanding. They show high levels of interest in their work and are confident and self-assured in their approach to others. Behaviour is exemplary, with older children setting a good example to younger ones. Children's very good rates of attendance show just how much they enjoy school. As one child said, 'It's interesting and good fun because we learn new things nearly every day.' Children speak highly of their teachers and are proud of their school and their achievements. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Children's sensitivity to others' feelings means that relationships are excellent. They are adamant that playtimes are enjoyable and free from bullying. Lessons in art, music and religious education help children to appreciate the richness of different cultures. The wide range of visits, visitors and well attended extracurricular activities also enhance

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Grade: 1

children's all round development. The school's provision gives children a very good understanding of the need for a healthy lifestyle. Children display sensible attitudes towards diet and exercise and are aware of the dangers surrounding drugs and other substances. The good progress made in literacy, mathematics and ICT, combined with the many opportunities children have to develop other important life skills ensures their readiness to face future challenges.

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Grade: 2

During the inspection, all of the teaching was at least good and some was outstanding. In all lessons the children are very keen to learn. This is because work is carefully planned to meet their interests, with realistic challenge for children's different abilities. Teachers make particularly good use of interactive whiteboards to motivate children and maintain their interest. Teachers' secure subject knowledge ensures that they explain things well and good questioning helps them to identify children who need more help or greater challenge. At the start of lessons teachers share the learning objectives with children and revisit these frequently so that children understand what they are aiming for and how well they have achieved. Clear, regularly updated, targets and opportunities for children to evaluate their work ensure that they are well involved in the learning process. Marking is satisfactory overall, but inconsistent in terms of

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Grade: 2

telling children how they might improve. Teachers treat all children sensitively and with respect. In response they behave very well, try hard and show confidence in learning new skills and discussing their work. Teaching and learning in the Reception 3 Inspection Report: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 class is good with some outstanding features. Play and practical activities underpin all work and give children a good start to their education. Teaching assistants play an important supportive role here and throughout the school, especially in helping those who find learning more difficult. Opportunities for children to show initiative and to work collaboratively are good and much improved since the last inspection. Homework provision is good.

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Grade: 2

A good curriculum is provided for all children. Strong emphasis is placed upon ensuring that children are well equipped with the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT. There are pockets of good practice in providing opportunities for children to use and develop writing skills in subjects other than English. Overall, however, the potential of the wider curriculum to develop this specific aspect of literacy is not capitalised upon enough. Creativity has a high profile. This is seen in the varied and rich opportunities children have to engage in poetry, drama, music and physical education. Learning is also enhanced by the wide range of out of school opportunities, including residential visits for children in Years 4 to 6. The curriculum for children in the Foundation Stage is planned well, enabling them to become willing and independent learners. Whilst very good links are made between the different areas of learning,

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Grade: 2

outdoor provision is limited. The school has identified this as a priority for development. Detailed work programmes for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities ensure that they are able to achieve well. Additional provision is also made to extend learning opportunities for gifted and/or talented children. The excellent provision that is made to promote children's personal, social and health education and citizenship is seen in their high standards of personal development.

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Grade: 2

All staff are highly committed to ensuring children's health and safety. Arrangements for fire safety checks are robust and children know the established routines for evacuating the building. Child protection arrangements are satisfactory. The building is clean and well maintained. Within a very caring, family ethos, children are looked after well. Adults ensure that vulnerable children are given the pastoral support they need. Older children are strongly encouraged to help keep the playground safe and act as 'buddies' for younger ones. Children are full of praise for the way midday supervisors take care of them and join in their games. Good systems for assessing children's progress means that teachers know their varying capabilities and provide the right level of support and challenge in lessons. Children know their targets and appreciate the help that they get in working to achieve them. 4 Inspection Report: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. Children's academic and personal progress and their well-being underpin all that is done and are positively reflected in their standards and achievements. The headteacher knows the school well. His clear view of the school's strengths and weaknesses is well considered through a rigorous process of self-evaluation, which includes taking good account of the views of children and their parents. Whilst acknowledging its strengths, the school is not complacent. Procedures to monitor performance are good and have become much sharper during the last 12 months. Analysis and use of performance data is perceptive and leads to very clear foci for checks on children's standards and progress and the quality of provision. Strategies introduced this year to improve writing are already having a positive effect. Notable strengths in leadership and management include the excellent commitment

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Grade: 2

to ensuring that all children are fully included in what is provided and the extremely good thought given to the deployment of classroom assistants. Governors are supportive, have a good understanding of the school and contribute well to its successes. Financial management is prudent and directed towards the school's priorities. Governors deliberate thoroughly about spending decisions, to achieve best value whilst maintaining high standards. A good example is the decision to ensure a trained teacher covers teachers' professional development time away from their classes. Good improvement has been made since the last inspection and the school is well placed to improve further. 5 Inspection Report: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 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: Christleton Primary School, 8 March 2006 to 9 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 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 1 The attendance of learners NA 1 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 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 1 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can NA 1 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

Thank you for welcoming us to your school and being so polite and friendly. We enjoyed our visit and want to share with you what we thought about your school. What we liked most: - your headteacher wants the best for you all and works extremely hard to ensure that you enjoy school and achieve well - your teachers also work very hard to plan interesting and exciting lessons. They set you useful targets to help you improve - you put lots of effort into your learning, which shows how much you enjoy school. Your hard work pays off and you achieve good standards - you are sensible when you work together and are kind and helpful to each other - your school provides a great range of things for you to participate in outside of lessons and teaches you how to stay safe and keep healthy. What we have asked your school to do now: - the variety of writing that you do in English lessons is great, but we think that teachers could

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

help you to develop and make better use of your writing skills in other subjects. We appreciated talking to you about your work and watching you learn. We wish you well for the future.

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