Gastrells Community Primary SchoolOfsted inspection, 25 Nov 2005

Inspection Report Gastrells Community Primary School

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115573 Unique Reference Number Gloucestershire LEA 279630 Inspection number 24 November 2005 to 25 November 2005 Inspection dates Graeme Bassett RISP Reporting inspector

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

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Kingscourt Lane School address Primary Type of school Stroud Community School category Gloucestershire GL5 3PS 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01453 765959 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01453 765959 Fax number 170 Number on roll Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Cottia Howard Headteacher 14 February 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 279630 24 November 2005 - 4 to 11 25 November 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 two additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is a smaller than average size school (154 on roll) and serves mainly the area south west of Stroud, Gloucestershire. Most pupils are White British and there are no pupils with English as an additional language. The economic status of the local area is broadly average and there are more pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities than average. There is an 'Attached Centre' for up to ten pupils who have communication and interaction difficulties.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 2005

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Grade: 2

The inspectors agreed with the school’s self-evaluation that this is an effective school. The headteacher is the driving force and her leadership and management are good. She has set out a clear direction for school improvements to ensure its continuing success. The school does not shy away from making difficult decisions when necessary. As a result of this, and in the light of improvements since the last inspection, the capacity for improvement is good. The headteacher, ably supported by the deputy, has successfully promoted monitoring of the school’s performance. Subsequent actions raised teachers’ expectations, and teaching and learning are now good. The teachers’ knowledge of how well their pupils are doing is very accurate. However, sometimes they do not extend the learning of higher attaining pupils enough. On entry to the Foundation Stage, standards are below average. All achieve well and most reach the targets set, but few exceed them. Progress is good throughout Years

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Grade: 2

1 to 6 and by the end of Year 6, standards are above average in mathematics and science and average in English. An above average proportion of pupils achieve higher standards. The curriculum is good. Purposeful tasks hold pupils’ interests. However, few opportunities are provided to improve writing through other subjects. The out-of-lessons activities add a good dimension to the curriculum. The school has a positive and caring ethos and is inclusive. Good links are maintained with parents. Pupils make good progress in their personal development. Behaviour is good and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is also good. The pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as those attending the 'Attached Centre', are integrated sensitively into the main school and are catered for well. The governance of the school is good. The budget is managed prudently and the school gives good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

•Raise the standards and achievements of the higher attaining pupils in writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2. •Develop pupils’ writing skills through other subjects.

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Grade: 2

Pupils quickly settle into the routines of the reception class. The standards on entry to the school are below average, with very few pupils exceeding the levels expected. With all achieving satisfactorily, most pupils reach the goals set for them by the time they enter Year 1 but, again, very few exceed them. Pupils continue to achieve well throughout Years 1 and 2. By the end of Year 2, progress is good and standards are 2 Inspection Report: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 2005 broadly average in reading and mathematics but below average in writing. In all three subjects, too few pupils exceed the expected levels for their age. By the end of Year 6, all pupils have made good progress. Standards are above average in mathematics and science and broadly average in English. An above average proportion exceeds the expected levels in all three subjects, meeting the school’s

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Grade: 2

challenging targets. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities and also those in the 'Attached Centre' make good progress.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development and well-being are good. In the Foundation Stage, this aspect is also good. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good, with pupils having a good understanding of different customs and cultures. Pupils’ attendance is good and they enjoy coming to school. They are polite and courteous and their behaviour is good. Pupils are safe and bullying is not a problem. Pupils adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthily and taking part in physical activities. Pupils make a good contribution to the school and the wider community. They willingly raise funds for charities. Responsibilities in class and around the school are readily and conscientiously undertaken. The school council actively helps to improve the school. The progress that pupils make in literacy and numeracy prepares them well for their next school. They are developing good skills that contribute to their economic

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Grade: 2

Teaching is good. In the Foundation Stage, stimulating teaching helps to effectively develop pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills. Good lesson planning is evident in all other classes and teachers provide interesting tasks to meet the needs of most pupils in each year group. Sometimes they do not extend the learning of the higher attaining pupils enough. The assessment records are thorough and older pupils are fully aware of their targets. The tracking records, maintained to show each pupil’s progress over time, are very good. Pupils’ achievements are analysed thoroughly to plan what needs to be taught next. Good use of information and communication technology (ICT), especially the interactive whiteboards, encourages enjoyment in learning and more effective concentration. During lessons Good links are established between home and school. Learning is supported well with relevant homework. The staff encourage parents to become fully

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Grade: 2

involved in their pupils’ learning. 3 Inspection Report: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 2005

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. Teachers of the mixed-aged classes plan together well to produce challenges for the different year groups in English, mathematics and science lessons. Good provision is made for art and design and design technology. The provision for ICT is good and has been improved since the last inspection. However, insufficient opportunities are provided to develop pupils’ writing skills through other subjects. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are identified and given well structured tasks. Pupils in the 'Attached Centre' receive specific support that is well suited to their particular needs to ensure good progress. In the Foundation Stage, there is a good balance between independent learning and more directed tasks. The curriculum to develop the pupils’ well-being is good and promotes effectively the need to be safe and to adopt healthy lifestyles. Residential visits, after-school and

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Grade: 2

lunchtime activities enrich pupils’ learning and provide added interests. Pupils support these clubs with enthusiasm.

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Grade: 2

The school’s care, guidance and support for all pupils are good. Parents and pupils report that pupils are looked after well and that their welfare is at the heart of the school’s work. Supervision at break times is organised successfully and staff are vigilant. Guidance and support in class are effective and child protection procedures are exemplary; staff are alert to signs that any pupil might be distressed or anxious. Records tracking pupils’ progress are used well to set new targets. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities and those in the 'Attached Centre' are provided with carefully structured help and support. The school actively promotes healthy lifestyles and physical activities. Pupils work in a safe environment. Risk assessments are carried out frequently. The school site is secure. Pupils are routinely reminded of procedures to observe for their own safety, especially in physical education and when using tools in design and technology.

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Grade: 2

The leadership and management of the school are good. The headteacher provides a clear direction to the work of the school. All pupils are totally included in all that the school plans. Following an evaluation of the school’s performance analysis and discussions with the headteacher and governing body, the inspectors agree with the school’s own self-evaluation that its effectiveness is good. The headteacher and deputy headteacher, have jointly brought about good improvements to teaching and learning that has impacted on raising pupils’ achievements. Senior managers have undertaken rigorous monitoring of the school’s 4 Inspection Report: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 2005 performance. Subsequent evaluations have brought about improvements to raise teachers’ expectations. However, the school does not extend the challenges enough for the higher attaining pupils, especially in Year 2.

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Grade: 2

Subject leaders are skilful in their leadership and management of their subjects. The leadership and management of the Foundation Stage, the ’Attached Centre’ and the provision for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are good. Teaching assistants are deployed well and give good support. The governance of the school is good and governors ensure that all statutory requirements are met. Financial planning is good. The school has recently made difficult decisions to balance the budget by reducing the number of classes. The headteacher, supported by a knowledgeable and skilled governing body, resolved these problems well. Through the good links established, parents were kept informed and their views considered throughout this decision making process. 5 Inspection Report: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 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: Gastrells Community Primary School, 24 November 2005 to 25 November 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 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 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 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

Gastrells Community Primary School Kingscourt Lane Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 3PS 25 November 2005 Dear Pupils Thank you for welcoming us to your school. The inspectors enjoyed their time with you, looking at your work and visiting lessons. We enjoyed chatting with many of you during lunch time. Thank you for telling us all about your school. What we liked most about Gastrells Community Primary School •Your headteacher leads and manages the school well. •Your teachers teach well and plan interesting activities. This helps you to improve your work. •You behaviour is good and we like the way you get on together. •Your attendance is good and you show that you enjoy coming to school. •You try hard to do your best and make good progress each year. What we have asked your headteacher and staff to do •Do more to develop your writing when you are studying other subjects. •Help you to reach higher standards in writing and mathematics.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We hope that you continue to have enjoyment in your lessons and that you try hard to do your best at all times. Yours faithfully Graeme Bassett Lead inspector

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