Buriton Primary School

Inspection Report Buriton Primary School

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115869 Unique Reference Number Hampshire LEA LEA 279690 Inspection number 26 September 2005 to 27 September 2005 Inspection dates Olson Davis AI Reporting inspector

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

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High Street School address Primary Type of school Buriton Community School category Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 5RX 4 to 11 Age range of pupils

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1730263526 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 1730231982 Fax number 84 Number on roll Mrs H Myers Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Mike Bainbridge Headteacher 26 June 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 279690 26 September 2005 - 4 to 11 27 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 an additional inspector.

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Description of the school

Buriton Primary School is situated in a village serving its mainly rural community and the nearby market town of Petersfield in Hampshire. There are 93 pupils on roll aged four to eleven years. Apart from the reception class, all classes contain pupils from two year groups. Pupils come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds and their attainment on entry to the reception class is broadly average. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is below the national figure. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is above the national average. There are no pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and no pupils for whom English is an additional language.The school is housed in a recently modernized Victorian building.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 2005

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Grade: 2

The school is very effective. This judgement matches the school's own view of itself. Self-evaluation is strong and the impact of improvement initiatives is evident in all areas of the school. The capacity to improve is strong. The school is well led and managed by an inspiring headteacher who gives clear direction to the school and involves all stakeholders in its future planning. Governors play an effective role in school improvement.Standards are above average although as the school is small there are fluctuations year on year. There is good provision in the Foundation Stage. Pupils make good progress in their personal development. They behave well and have good attitudes to learning. Pupils enjoy school very much and parents are right to be confident that their children are well cared for at school. These factors contribute significantly to pupils' good progress.Teaching is good because the headteacher

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Grade: 2

monitors and evaluates teaching well and works with staff effectively to improve their approaches to assist pupils' learning. The school has recently put in place sound initiatives to share best practice in teaching, to help raise pupils' achievements further. Assessment information is used well to follow pupils' progress and to set targets for improvement. The curriculum is good, linking subjects and encouraging pupils to use key skills in literacy and numeracy in their learning. The school rightly recognises that it needs to obtain more resources for information and communication technology (ICT) to raise standards further. The school provides good value for money and is in a good position to continue improving.

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What the school should do to improve further

* Improve the provision for information and communication technology in order to raise standards further.

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Grade: 2

Overall, pupils make good progress. When they enter the school in the Reception year, their standards are broadly average, although there are sometimes wide differences in attainment within the small group. Pupils make good progress during their time in the Reception class, particularly in their personal, social and emotional development. The fact that this is a small school accounts for the wide variation in the number of pupils in year groups and in the standards attained from year to year. There is also an increasing number of pupils with learning difficulties joining the school, which affects the standards.Standards at the end of Year 2 were above average in 2003 but dipped to average in 2004. Standards in 2005 were also average but the year group contained a high proportion of pupils with learning difficulties. Following a school initiative, standards in science were raised to above average. In Year 6, standards in Year 6 were

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Grade: 2

broadly average in 2004 but were above average in 2005, with pupils making good progress in relation to their capabilities in English, mathematics and science. This is linked to the particularly good teaching in Key Stage 2 that enabled pupils' results to 2 Inspection Report: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 2005 exceed the school's challenging, published targets. Pupils with learning difficulties are supported well and make good progress towards their targets.

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Grade: 2

Personal development is good. Parents comment favourably on the increase in confidence and self-esteem shown by their children. Pupils build on the good foundations laid down in the younger classes. They are polite, friendly and caring. Attitudes to learning are good because staff have high expectations of what pupils can do to assist their own learning. As one Year 6 pupil said 'My teacher helps you to be responsible for your own learning'. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pupils behave well in response to the good relationships between staff and pupils. They show respect for other's feelings and opinions. Pupils' quiet reflection in assemblies shows a developing spiritual awareness. There is active participation in the cultural activities in school. Pupils show a good awareness of the diversity of cultures within modern society in Britain.Enjoyment of learning permeates the school and is a

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Grade: 2

reason why attendance is good. Pupils feel that they are listened to and their suggestions for improvements are followed up. The school helps pupils to make a contribution to the community through the many responsibilities they are given and pupils take these responsibilities seriously.Pupils have a good understanding of the need to live healthy life-styles and to keep safe. They participate enthusiastically in the physical activities offered by the school, including those within the extra-curricular programme. Pupils are forming a growing awareness of economic matters through their participation in events to raise money for charity and for the school.

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Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well because of good teaching. The most important feature of the teaching is the good relationship between pupils and staff. This results in pupils behaving well and having positive attitudes to learning. The work given to pupils is often matched well to their abilities, providing challenge for pupils. Teaching assistants provide good support, which helps pupils with learning difficulties to participate fully in lessons and make good progress. Teachers are good at assessing pupils' work during the lesson and at providing feedback that helps pupils to improve. They also involve pupils in assessing the success of their own learning. This helps pupils to develop skills at assessing the quality of their own work. Assessment information is used well to identify individual targets for improvement for pupils. As a result, pupils know what they need to do to improve.Teachers help pupils to become aware of their different

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Grade: 2

learning styles and provide situations to help them learn in their preferred styles. They also provide good opportunities for pupils to learn independently and in co-operation with other pupils. Above all, the good teachers in the school make learning fun. The 3 Inspection Report: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 2005 enjoyment experienced by one pupil was plainly evident when he exclaimed in a mathematics lesson: 'I love fractions!'

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Grade: 2

The curriculum for pupils is good. It is broad and balanced and is monitored closely to ensure necessary coverage. It is responsive to the learning needs of individual pupils by encouraging them to apply taught skills and knowledge within other areas of learning. Teachers make good use of the local environment as starting points for developing key skills for learning. A recent visit to a country park resulted in pupils writing letters to complain about the litter and a gnarled tree provided an impetus for art work. Pupils' personal development is well planned for through the school's personal, social and health education programme which effectively raises pupils' awareness of staying safe and keeping healthy. There is high pupil participation in the wide range of clubs, visits and other enrichment activities. Interactive whiteboards are used to enliven classroom discussions. Although the school uses its information and

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Grade: 2

communication technology (ICT) resources well to promote pupil learning some areas of the ICT curriculum are not covered as well as others due to a lack of sufficient resources. Future planning for the school describes fully how the school is intending to obtain more resources to help raise standards in ICT.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' care, guidance and support are good. Parents appreciate the good care and support given to pupils by staff. The school has robust procedures for child protection and for assessing and dealing with risks. All staff are aware of their responsibilities for the health and safety of pupils within their care. Pupils feel safe in this secure environment. Although pupils say there is no bullying at the school, they express their confidence that if it did occur, it would be dealt with effectively. Staff provide good guidance for pupils. Assessment information is used well by the school to set challenging personal targets for improvements. Parents are kept well informed of this process. Pupils with learning difficulties are well supported through a well organized programme and make good progress against the targets in their individual education plans.

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Grade: 2

School leadership and management are good. The headteacher provides a clear direction for the school and is tenacious in seeking and obtaining school improvement. As a result of his leadership there is a common sense of purpose throughout the school. There are many strengths in the way that the school checks its own performance. Improvement initiatives are rigorously evaluated and their impact documented. Self-evaluation is a strong feature of the school and is effective in bringing about 4 Inspection Report: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 2005 improvement. Teaching is closely monitored and teachers' targets for improvement are closely linked to the school's priorities for development. These priorities stem from careful analysis and discussions within the school community. Parents, pupils, staff and governors are all involved in the future planning for the school. The school's values

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Grade: 2

are well understood and shared by the school community. The school is inclusive and equality of opportunity is promoted well. The staff work enthusiastically as a team, examining ways in which improvements can be made. The headteacher develops the skills of other managers well. He provides opportunities for staff to undertake improvement initiatives whilst offering support and guidance.The governors are very effective. They are supportive and understand the school's strengths and priorities for development well. Governors play an important role in monitoring and evaluating aspects of the school and provide challenge to school managers, when necessary. Financial resources are used well and are carefully monitored. The governors' efforts in securing re-building work in the school have resulted in an attractive learning environment for pupils.As a result of good leadership and management the school has

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Grade: 2

made good improvement since the previous inspection and is in a good position to improve further. 5 Inspection Report: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 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: Buriton Primary School, 26 September 2005 to 27 September 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 3 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

I enjoyed my visit to your school and would like to thank you all for making me so welcome. I enjoyed talking with you and took careful note of what you and your parents had to say about the school. I was impressed by how much you all like your school and how well you all behaved. It will come as no surprise to you that you go to a good school. Here are some of the many things your school does well:* The headteacher and staff are clear about what needs to be done to improve the school so that you can make even better progress. This is because they have taken advice from people involved with the school, including you.* Your school is a happy place in which to learn because you behave well and get on well with each other and with the adults in school.* Your teachers provide good opportunities for you to learn new skills and try them out in different situations.* You have good teachers who know how well you are getting on and give you good advice about how to improve.* Adults in school

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

are kind and look after you well. Your school is already good at knowing what needs improving and improving it. However, I have asked the headteacher and staff to make the following improvements:* Continue to get more computer resources so that you can practise and develop your ICT skills further.I know that you will continue to enjoy your school. I hope that you will support your teachers as they try to make your school the best that it can be for you.

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