Fair Oak Junior School

Inspection Report Fair Oak Junior School

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115997 Unique Reference Number Hampshire LEA LEA 279721 Inspection number 1 March 2006 to 2 March 2006 Inspection dates Linda Kelsey HMI Reporting inspector

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This inspection was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 which gives Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools the authority to inspect any school in England. The inspection is to be treated as a section 5 inspection under the same Act.

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Botley Road School address Junior Type of school Fair Oak Community School category Eastleigh SO50 7AN 7 to 11 Age range of pupils 02380693195 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 02380601731 Fax number 606 Number on roll Mr Colin Russell Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs J Williamson Headteacher 13 November 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 279721 1 March 2006 - 7 to 11 2 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 one of Her Majesty's Inspectors and one Additional Inspector. In the course of the day visit, inspectors met with staff and pupils and observed the school at work. The school's preparatory papers, including the self-evaluation document, provided critical evidence in shaping inspectors' judgements. Discussion with the Chair of Governors and the receipt of parents' questionnaires further assisted the writing of this report.

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Description of the school

Fair Oak Junior is a large school with 606 pupils on roll. Most pupils are from white British backgrounds and the number of pupils from minority ethnic groups is exceptionally low. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is below average. When pupils start the school their attainment on entry is above average. The school shares a large campus with a nursery, infant and secondary school and most pupils proceed through these schools.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Fair Oak Junior School, 1 March 2006 to 2 March 2006

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Grade: 1

This is a highly effective school where standards are high and achievement is outstanding. It has evaluated itself accurately and self critically and has diagnosed which areas need improving. These are set out clearly in the school development plan.In all aspects of the school's work there is excellent practice. The outstanding leadership by the headteacher, the high quality and dedication of all members of staff, the exciting and rich curriculum and the resulting high standards across so many subjects are reasons why this school is effective. Its relentless efforts, through self review, to continually examine how it can improve yet further are why it is so exceptional. Pupils too play an important part in making this school special. Their contribution to the schools' success through their input into school council and 'Smile Squad' ensures that their views are considered and that their peers are happy and enjoy school. Parents

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Grade: 1

are right to be impressed. As one parent commented, 'we have an excellent and dedicated staff'.The school has succeeded in maintaining high standards over several years. It recognised that the writing standards fell slightly in 2005 and quickly put in improvement measures to return them to the levels of previous years. This is already proving to be successful and the school's targets show that it expects results in English to be high this year. Evidence from the inspection supports this view. There is very good capacity for continued improvement and the school provides outstanding value for money.Teaching is outstanding and lessons are very stimulating and enjoyable, matching the needs of the pupils. The excellent subject knowledge and the innovative use of specialist teachers and teaching assistants to cover planning, preparation and assessment time ensure that all lessons are of high quality. Teachers engage pupils,

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Grade: 1

set high expectations and as a result pupils' attention and motivation are high. The relationship between members of staff and pupils is very good and enhances the learning. Lessons are imaginative and varied and pupils gain from specialist teaching which raises the profile of the wider curriculum to a high level. French is taught throughout the school and many pupils play a musical instrument and enjoy being part of a successful band and choir which has won prizes in national festivals.Pupils' personal development is outstanding; they are extremely courteous and helpful around the school. Spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is excellent. Pupils receive a rich and colourful cultural experience through their music, art and outside links with the local community and a school in Kenya. Pupils respond well with excellent behaviour and total involvement in what they are learning. They are very proud of the school

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Grade: 1

and play an important part in contributing to its success. The personal development and well being of all pupils is supported by a strong personal social and health programme. This develops pupils' understanding of the world in which they live. In one lesson pupils were working on a poster to advertise for a good friend and they were discussing attributes they would like to see in that person. Pupils are well prepared for future adult life and their views are taken seriously. They initiate ideas for raising money for charities and win prizes for the school which contribute to its high status within the community. The 'Smile Squad' was formed as a direct result of Year 6 pupils taking the initiative to help each other to help other pupils at break times so that no-one would feel lonely or unhappy. 2 Inspection Report: Fair Oak Junior School, 1 March 2006 to 2 March 2006

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Grade: 1

Achievement is outstanding and this is reflected in its well above average standards at the end of Key Stage 2; a consistent picture for the last five years.In 2005 standards in English were above average and in Mathematics and science they were well above. There is good performance by all groups of pupils including those with learning difficulties and disabilities and pupils with English as an additional language.Achievement is also high in other subjects. In science performance is well above average with a high percentage of pupils achieving the higher levels. Pupils perform regularly and successfully in music festivals and exhibit art work at a variety of events, including the local pyramid of schools. There are many examples of work around the school celebrating pupils' achievements in art, designing and making Roman and Victorian artefacts; all of an equally high standard.

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Grade: 1

Pupils show considerable enthusiasm for the school and attendance is very good. Statutory requirements for collective worship are now fully met. The pupils are prepared well for their future economic success through their involvement and contribution to the wider community and the local village carnival. They have put on musical performances for the local elderly people and a team of able pupils edit the school newspaper. Pupils know what makes a healthy diet and run a fruit shop at break times. They regularly exercise through games, physical exercise and many sports clubs run before and after school. Many pupils compete in competitive teams for sport activities.

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Grade: 1

Lessons succeed extremely well in motivating and engaging pupils, so that their involvement contributes very well to high quality learning and achievement. All levels of staff expertise are used to ensure people work to their strengths with specialists teaching music, French and PE. This ensures quality of lessons remain high at all times.

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Grade: 1

This rich curriculum is significantly enhanced by good resourcing. Resources for information and communication technology (ICT) including two dedicated suites and interactive whiteboards in every classroom are used very well to enhance many subjects. The curriculum is further enriched by clubs before and after school, cultural and creative activities; visits and residential trips for older pupils. 3 Inspection Report: Fair Oak Junior School, 1 March 2006 to 2 March 2006

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Grade: 1

Outstanding care, guidance and support are provided for all the pupils in this totally inclusive school. Pupils' academic progress is very carefully monitored. There are very close links with other neighbouring schools and settings within the pyramid group. This ensures all pupils have a smooth transition into their future schools. There is also a special programme to help vulnerable pupils. This ensures that they quickly settle in and that their families are fully involved in their care.

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Grade: 1

The headteacher is a highly focused strategic manager of people and resources. She enables members of staff to work at their best and assiduously directs all including teaching assistants and administration staff. This greatly impacts on the quality of what is provided and makes the school an exciting and challenging place to work for both staff and pupils.Management structures, systems and procedures are very well conceived and executed. The governing body supports the school very well. Trust is placed in staff to lead in the areas for which they are responsible. This significantly enhances commitment and teamwork. Monitoring and evaluation is regular and rigorous. Communications are highly effective due to the excellent organisation of senior management, curriculum and year group teams. 4 Inspection Report: Fair Oak Junior School, 1 March 2006 to 2 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. 5 Inspection Report: Fair Oak Junior School, 1 March 2006 to 2 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 1 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA NA The quality and standards in foundation stage NA 1 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 1 How well do learners achieve? NA 1 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 1 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 1 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 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 1 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 1 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 1 How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education NA 1 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 1 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

You will recall that myself and Mr George Rayner visited your school a few weeks ago to inspect the quality of the education you receive. We met a number of you, joined you for lunch and talked to many pupils at break time. We also visited most of the classrooms in which you work and opened the questionnaires that were sent in by the majority of your parents.We would like to thank you for your very courteous behaviour and for making us so very welcome. We were very impressed by what you have at your school and how well you were able to tell us what makes your school so very special. During our day in the school, we were impressed by:* the high achievements of many of you in so many subjects but especially so in English, mathematics and science* how much you care for each other and how hard you work at making sure everyone enjoys their time at school* how well your teachers and helpers plan your work so that your lessons are interesting and

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

demanding* the very exciting range of curriculum opportunities, clubs, trips and visits you do while at the school* how very good your headteacher, governors and senior staff are so that your achievements are recognised and celebrated both at the school and outside. You know you are part of a very good school because you told us so. You must be very proud of your achievements and we know you will continue to contribute to your school's further success. We wish you all the best for your future life and happiness.

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