Frizington Community Primary School

Inspection Report Frizington Community Primary School

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112156 Unique Reference Number Cumbria LEA 278864 Inspection number 31 January 2006 to 1 February 2006 Inspection dates Mrs 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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Main Street School address Primary Type of school Frizington Community School category Cumbria, CA26 3PF 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01946 810611 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01946 814 768 Fax number 106 Number on roll Mr Fred Lightfoot Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Margaret Wiltshire Headteacher 1 November 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 278864 31 January 2006 - 4 to 11 1 February 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 one additional inspector.

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Description of the school

This is a small village school. Pupils are taught in four, mixed-age classes. It is situated in an area of socio-economic disadvantage. A high number of pupils are entitled to free school meals. No pupils come from minority ethnic groups. An above average number of pupils are assessed as having additional learning needs. Attainment on entry to school is lower than average. The school is a partner in a community campus, providing a range of services for pupils from the school and the wider community. The school has achieved the Healthy Schools’ award, the Foundation Stage Kite Mark and Investors in People status.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 2006

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Grade: 2

The school and parents are correct in their belief that this is a good school. The community feeling is very strong and the school deserves its good reputation. Pupils are friendly and well behaved. Strong leadership has developed a team dedicated to providing rich experiences. The curriculum is good and subject leaders have good plans to develop their subjects. The next step is to make explicit how the proposed actions will improve standards and how success will be measured. Pupils’ personal development and the care, guidance and support they receive are good. Teaching and learning are good and enable pupils to make good progress and leave school with high standards. Provision in the Foundation Stage is good. Achievement is good and, from a low starting point, most reach the level expected by the end of the reception class, except in reading and writing. Progress in the infants is satisfactory, although more could be

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Grade: 2

achieved, especially in writing which is below average. Pupils in Key Stage 2 have individual targets and know clearly how to improve their learning. This good practice is not yet established in the infants. Standards have risen considerably since the last inspection and the school is well placed to continue to move forward. Value for money is good. not applicable

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve progress in Key Stage 1, especially in writing, by more challenging teaching and showing pupils how they can improve. • Ensure that the school’s plans for improvement make it clear how they will raise standards and how success will be measured.

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Grade: 2

Overall achievement is good. Attainment on entry to the school is low, especially in numeracy and literacy. Children make good progress because of the warm relationships and the focus on practical activities. By the end of reception, most reach the standards expected, except in reading and writing. Caution must be taken when analysing the school’s performance in national tests because of the small number of pupils involved. Nevertheless, results show clearly that standards have risen in Key Stage 2. Overall achievement is good and standards are above average in mathematics and science and average in English. Higher attaining pupils performed very well in tests in science and mathematics in 2005. This continues to be the case because pupils are taught to follow up their own lines of enquiry. Fewer pupils are working at above average levels in English and so standards are not as high. Targets are challenging and were exceeded

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Grade: 2

last year. Results of national assessments in Year 2 show a more variable picture. However, over time standards and achievement are satisfactory. This is the current picture except in writing which is below average because work is not always sufficiently 2 Inspection Report: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 2006 challenging. Pupils with additional learning difficulties are identified swiftly and with effective help make good progress.

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Grade: 2

This is an extremely caring and happy school. Personal development is good. Pupils are lively and eager to participate in all aspects of school life. They say they really enjoy school, especially the visits and clubs. Behaviour is good and everyone gets on well together. Pupils are courteous and polite and offer a warm and confident welcome to visitors. Attendance is satisfactory. By carrying out duties diligently, and as members of the school council, pupils learn that belonging to a community involves supporting others and accepting responsibility. Thorough attention is given to pupils’ welfare and they say they feel safe and secure. The excellent promotion of physical activity makes pupils very aware of the need to keep fit and healthy. They leave school as mature young people with secure basic skills and self confidence which provide a firm foundation for their future economic well-being. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pupils have a clear

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Grade: 2

understanding of what is acceptable in school because of their involvement in writing rules and acting plays to get across the message that bullying hurts. They celebrate their own culture but do not have a deep enough understanding of life in a multicultural society.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good. The best teaching seen was in Key Stage 2 where it is more challenging. Teachers organise lessons extremely well so that pupils work at a level that extends their thinking. Pupils have time limits to complete their tasks and so they work hard. In Key Stage 1, this pace of learning and challenge is less evident and pupils’ work shows they could achieve more. This is especially evident in writing, where pupils need more sharing of writing followed by opportunities to write structured pieces of work. Teaching in the Foundation Stage is good. The variety of practical activities, used to sustain children’s interest, is good. The teacher has correctly identified the need to improve writing and is extending skills through a structured approach. In many lessons seen throughout the school, the use of the interactive white board was strong and made learning more interesting. Teachers have high expectations

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Grade: 2

of behaviour and as a result lessons run smoothly. Support staff play a valuable role in working with small groups, especially those with additional learning needs. Their help is guided by very detailed individual education plans and joint discussions with teachers to make sure that work is well matched to pupils’ needs. 3 Inspection Report: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 2006

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good, with some outstanding features. A major strength is the attention given to providing experiences that will stand pupils in good stead for life. Annual planning is very thorough and ensures that pupils do not cover the same content more than once. Literacy, numeracy and information and communications technology are used imaginatively in other subjects. The Foundation Stage curriculum is rich and carefully dovetailed into the National Curriculum requirements for Year 1 pupils. Pupils with additional learning needs are supported well and the school is currently developing its support for gifted and talented pupils. The focus on encouraging pupils to be creative in their ideas is raising standards as pupils enjoy trying out different solutions to problems. The school recognises that some pupils have limited experiences beyond the village and the enrichment through clubs, visits and visitors is outstanding. These are organised most effectively by the study support

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Grade: 2

group which has achieved special recognition for the range and variety of activities provided.

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Grade: 2

Overall, care, guidance and support are good. Pastoral care is outstanding and pupils are valued as individuals in a caring, family context. Pupils appreciate the messages taught in personal and social development lessons. Child protection and risk assessment are very rigorous. Links with external agencies are good and a bereavement councillor is available if needed. The school cares extremely well for pupils seen to be vulnerable. A special nurture group provides advice for pupils and families. This sensitive support is shared with other schools as an example of good practice. Induction into the reception class is good and children settle happily. It is less easy to link with secondary school because pupils go to several schools. Assessment procedures are good and data is used well to identify pupils needing additional support. To involve pupils more in their learning, those in Key Stage 2 have individual targets and also evaluate their own

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Grade: 2

achievements. This good practice is not evident in Key Stage 1 where pupils are unclear about how to improve.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher is pivotal to the success in providing education for life and to extending pupils’ horizons. She has been supported fully by the deputy headteacher in this vision which has led to a rich, relevant curriculum and to enjoyable learning. The utilisation of surplus accommodation to support the wider community is another very positive management decision. Good attention to staff development and the determination shown by the headteacher and staff have led to improved standards. The school is well place to move forward. 4 Inspection Report: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 2006 Self-evaluation is a regular feature of the school year. It incorporates views from parents, pupils and governors. Consequently, the school has an accurate view of what is working well and of the next priorities. Subject leaders draw up action plans

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Grade: 2

containing a good range of ideas. At present these ideas are not linked closely enough to raising standards and do not provide measures of success. Governance is good. The governors keep a watchful eye on the budget and make careful decisions giving due regard to the effect of falling roles on income. Additional funds are doggedly pursued and used efficiently to improve the school. Governors play a full role in setting future priorities. 5 Inspection Report: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 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: Frizington Community Primary School, 31 January 2006 to 1 February 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 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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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 3 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 3 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

Frizington Community Primary School Main Street Frizington Cumbria CA26 3PF 2 February 2006 Dear Pupils Thank you for the friendly way you greeted me when I visited your school. I was disappointed the weather did not allow me to see the wonderful mountains but your warm welcome overcame my disappointment. I very much appreciated the way you chatted to me and showed me the way when I got lost. I liked these things the most. You told me you enjoy science and maths and you make good progress in these subjects. I agree with you that teachers make lessons interesting. You appreciate the many visits and clubs you can attend and this is more than I usually see in schools. You are very lucky to have so many opportunities. This is a caring school and you support each other and also know how to look after yourselves and keep healthy. The school is led well and checks learning is exciting and relevant. I have asked the teachers to look at the following things to make your school and your progress

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

even better: pupils in the infants could make more progress, especially in writing the governors and teachers of the school set targets to improve your school; I would like these to be linked more closely to improving your skills and raising test results. I am sure you will have many wonderful memories of your time at school and wish you well for the future. Best wishes Mrs J E Platt Inspector

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