Allonby Primary School

Inspection Report Allonby Primary School

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112100 Unique Reference Number Cumbria LEA 278848 Inspection number 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 Inspection dates Jennie Platt Reporting inspector

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

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Allonby School address Primary Type of school Maryport Community School category Cumbria, CA15 6QG 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01900 881324 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01900 881324 Fax number 38 Number on roll Mrs P Taylor Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs G Martin Headteacher 1 February 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278848 28 September 2005 - 4 to 11 28 September 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 one additional inspector.

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Description of the school

This is a small school in the village of Allonby in Cumbria. The school serves an area of mixed social and economic circumstances with many families living temporarily in rented accommodation. This does lead to difficulties for the school as pupils start and leave school at different times in the school year. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is above average. The small number of pupils from minority ethnic groups does not need extra help in learning English as an additional language. For such a small school, a high number of pupils have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. A building programme has greatly improved the building and raised morale for pupils and staff.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Allonby Primary School, 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. Standards are rising and are above average. The achievement of most pupils is good although some lack of challenge in Key Stage 1 means higher attaining pupils do not always make enough progress. Children in the Foundation Stage make satisfactory progress although the planned curriculum is not closely matched to their age and experiences. The school is a warm and friendly community and pupils behave well and say they enjoy school. They are enthusiastic and work hard but are not always clear about how to make their work better. The school has overcome many of its previously identified weaknesses. Standards are now satisfactory in information and communication technology and resources are much better. The headteacher works well with governors and the local authority. Together they have a well informed picture of the school and the next steps to be taken. The leadership management group has the capacity to improve the school. Value for money is good.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Extend the good practice of the use of assessment in Years 4 to 6 more securely to Years 1 to 3, particularly to ensure work challenges the higher attaining pupils. • Make the experiences for the children in the Foundation Stage more relevant to their needs and experiences by increasing resources and providing staff training. • Extend the good practice in target setting in English in Years 4 to 6 to other subjects so that all pupils know how to improve their work.

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Grade: 2

The small numbers involved make it difficult to be exact about the attainment of pupils on entry. Attainment is generally similar to what is usually seen, although the school has a high number of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children settle well and make satisfactory progress towards the standards expected by the end of the reception class. In Year 2, many are working at the level expected, and national test results in 2004 in mathematics show a high number exceeded this level. The higher attaining pupils could achieve more, especially in reading and writing. Pupils in Year 3 are not always set hard enough work, and this is slowing down their progress. Progress accelerates in Years 4 to 6 in response to challenging teaching, better use of assessment and additional help from well-qualified support staff. The small numbers of pupils, and the fluctuations in each year – there can be between three and six pupils a year

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Grade: 2

– mean that statistical analyses of trends are unreliable. However, recent test results and work in lessons show good achievement for the older pupils and high standards in the core subjects. The school is reaching challenging targets. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included and often make very good progress and reach the expected level. 2 Inspection Report: Allonby Primary School, 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005

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Grade: 2

Personal development is good, and focuses effectively on treating each child as an individual. Pupils work hard and behaviour is good. When pupils who have difficulties sustaining good behaviour become restless, staff respond sensitively so that learning is not disturbed. Children new to school quickly make friends because of the school’s welcoming atmosphere. Pupils have a strong sense of commitment to the school. Older pupils found it difficult to select one favourite aspect because they enjoy all aspects of school life. School council members take their role very seriously and other pupils approach them confidently with concerns or opinions knowing they will be listened to. Pupils have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles and are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new sports hall. Attendance is similar to the national figure. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Visits extend pupils’ knowledge beyond

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Grade: 2

the village but they lack a deeper understanding of the diverse nature of modern British society.

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Grade: 2

The good teaching and learning is the main reason for the improved standards. Lessons are well managed and run smoothly. Teaching enthuses pupils and they are eager learners. In Years 3 to 6, lessons are brisk and sharp questioning keeps pupils attentive. The use of interactive whiteboards clarifies new learning as was very evident when explaining fractions. Assessment guides teachers well in their planning. The effect of this is more apparent in Years 4 to 6 because tasks are pitched at the correct level. In Years 1 to 3, the concentration on the need to provide work for a wide range of ages and abilities has been at the expense of setting sufficiently challenging work for the higher attaining pupils. Pupils have individual targets in English in Key Stage 2 and know how to improve but this good practice is not established in other subjects. Teaching assistants contribute greatly to the good progress by leading small groups

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Grade: 2

in many subjects as well as successfully helping pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Teaching in the Foundation Stage is satisfactory with a sensible balance between teacher-directed and free choice activities. However, not all activities are purposeful or meet the needs of pupils in the Foundation Stage. This is especially the case for role play where more imaginative resources are required.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum fulfils most of the nationally expected requirements except for gymnastics, although this will be remedied shortly with the completion of the sports hall. The school considers the curriculum to be good but the inspection judges it to be satisfactory. The school tries to plan carefully to match work to the needs of pupils 3 Inspection Report: Allonby Primary School, 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 of different ages but, in practice, work does not always fulfil pupils’ current needs, especially in Year 3. Although children in the Foundation Stage enjoy what they do, the planned activities do not always match their age and experiences. The school recognises that the newly developed outdoor space needs more attention to promote children’s physical and social development fully. The school is very aware of the isolation of the village community and extends pupils’ experiences through a series of carefully

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Grade: 3

planned visits. Clubs for physical education are good and encourage an enthusiasm for sport and team games. The variety of other clubs is limited although pupils enjoy learning to play a brass instrument.

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Grade: 2

The school sees the support of all as a strong feature of the school. Certainly, it is good and pupils say they feel safe and have easy and swift access to help when needed. Pupils appreciate that staff have their interests at heart. This is very evident in the excellent new toilet and cloakroom which delight the pupils, and make them feel highly valued. Governors take their role in ensuring pupils’ safety seriously and ensure all required checks are carried out. External support is used most effectively to safeguard pupils and ensure they are well equipped when they move on to their secondary education. Child protection procedures are in place although the lack of a staff handbook means guidance is not easily accessible for new or temporary staff. The support for vulnerable pupils is sensitive and the school ensures help is available and their needs are met.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are highly effective and have provided the drive for improvement since the last inspection. The headteacher’s energy and enthusiasm to provide the best for the pupils are impressive and have earned her the respect of staff, pupils and parents. Pupils say that she is always happy. She is ably supported by the leadership management team which includes governors who play a pivotal role in moving the school forward. The school’s commitment to welcoming all pupils and ensuring equal access to the curriculum is outstanding. Evaluation of how well the school is doing is a collaborative process including consultation with pupils and parents. All opinions are considered and acted upon and the school has an accurate picture of its strengths and areas for development. The school’s improvement plan is a clearly set out document but the criteria for success are often too general and not sufficiently

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Grade: 2

linked to how plans will improve standards. Professional training has improved teaching but has not paid enough attention to the Foundation Stage. The school’s capacity to generate additional funding is impressive and, as a result, significant rebuilding has improved the school and given the community access to a sports hall. 4 Inspection Report: Allonby Primary School, 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005 .

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Grade: 2

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 5 Inspection Report: Allonby Primary School, 28 September 2005 to 28 September 2005

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Inspection judgements

16-19 School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

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Overall effectiveness

NA 2 How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? NA 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA 3 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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Personal development and well-being

NA 2 How good is the overall personal development and well-being of the learners? NA 2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development NA 2 The behaviour of learners NA 3 The attendance of learners NA 2 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 2 How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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The quality of provision

NA 2 How effective are teaching and learning in meeting the full range of the learners' needs? NA 3 How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? NA 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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The quality of provision

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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Leadership and management

NA 2 How effective are leadership and management in raising achievement 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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Leadership and management

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 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 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

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Leadership and management

wider community 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

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0207 421 6800 F 0207 421 6707 www.ofsted.gov.uk Allonby Primary School Allonby Maryport Cumbria CA15 6QG 29 September 2005 Dear Pupils, Thank you for the friendship you showed to me when I visited your school. It made my visit most enjoyable. I would like to tell you what I found out. You told me you liked your school and it will be no surprise to you that I agree with you that it is a good and welcoming school. I liked these things the most. You behave well and work hard. Most of you make good progress and achieve well. Teachers make lessons interesting and help you if you do not understand. Staff look after you well and encourage you to be healthy. You work in a happy school and are a pleasure to talk to. Your headteacher and governors lead the school well and have greatly improved the building for you. I have asked your teachers to look at the following things to make school and your progress

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

even better. To make activities in the reception class even more interesting. To check that the work set is always hard enough in Years 1 to 3. Older pupils told me they had targets in English. I would like to see this practice extended to all pupils and other subjects so that you can check how well you are doing by yourself. I wish you every success in the future and am sure you will all carry with you many happy memories of your time at Allonby Primary School. With best wishes Jennie Platt Lead Inspector Annex B Alexandra House

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Annex B

33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0207 421 6800 F 0207 421 6707 www.ofsted.gov.uk Allonby Primary School Allonby Maryport Cumbria CA15 6QG 29 September 2005 Dear Pupils, Thank you for the friendship you showed to me when I visited your school. It made my visit most enjoyable. I would like to tell you what I found out. You told me you liked your school and it will be no surprise to you that I agree with you that it is a good and welcoming school. I liked these things the most. You behave well and work hard. Most of you make good progress and achieve well. Teachers make lessons interesting and help you if you do not understand. Staff look after you well and encourage you to be healthy. You work in a happy school and are a pleasure to talk to. Your headteacher and governors lead the school well and have greatly improved the building for you. I have asked your teachers to look at the following things to make school and your progress

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Annex B

even better. To make activities in the reception class even more interesting. To check that the work set is always hard enough in Years 1 to 3. Older pupils told me they had targets in English. I would like to see this practice extended to all pupils and other subjects so that you can check how well you are doing by yourself. I wish you every success in the future and am sure you will all carry with you many happy memories of your time at Allonby Primary School. With best wishes Jennie Platt Lead Inspector Annex B

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