St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Andover

Inspection Report St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School

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116382 Unique Reference Number Hampshire LEA LEA 279810 Inspection number 2 March 2006 to 2 March 2006 Inspection dates Andrew Olive 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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Andover School address Primary Type of school Floral Way Voluntary aided School category Salisbury Road, Hampshire SP10 3PF 5 to 11 Age range of pupils

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01264361806 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01264355211 Fax number 216 Number on roll Mr K O'Kelly Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs J Davies Headteacher 8 January 2001 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 279810 2 March 2006 - 5 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. In the course of the day visit, the inspector met with the chair of governors, a range of staff and pupils, and observed the school at work. The school's own self-evaluation document provided critical evidence in shaping inspector's judgements. The receipt of 110 questionnaires from parents further assisted the writing of this report.

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Description of the school

This average sized primary school serves a wide catchment area. The pupils are predominantly Roman Catholic and their social circumstances, while varied, are slightly better than average. Most pupils are of white British heritage but in recent years there has been a growing number of pupils from other ethnic backgrounds, some of whom speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is broadly in line with the national average.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, 2 March 2006 to 2 March 2006

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Grade: 1

This is an excellent school where the achievement of the pupils is outstanding. The pupils and parents rightly see the school as a very special, caring place where everyone is encouraged and expected to do their best. As one parent commented, 'All the staff are totally dedicated and committed in ensuring all the children reach their full potential.'The key to the special quality of education offered is the strong and well-focused leadership and management of the school. The outstanding headteacher, very well supported by the senior team, has evaluated the school's performance in an accurate and self-critical manner. The school is always striving to improve and the whole staff work together as a highly effective team to ensure improvements are implemented successfully. The school provides outstanding value for money.When they join the school, the pupils' attainment is slightly above that expected for children

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Grade: 1

of that age. By the time the pupils leave Year 6, standards are very high and all groups of pupils have made excellent progress. For the last few years, standards have been significantly above the national average. Last year, all pupils met the nationally expected levels in English, mathematics and science and the vast majority exceeded them.The pupils' achievement is very good due to the outstanding teaching. The lessons are stimulating and enjoyable and the teachers work hard to ensure they match the needs of the pupils. Teachers engage pupils, set high expectations and, as a result, pupils' concentration and motivation are very good. The progress of the pupils is tracked very carefully and the school acts swiftly and decisively when they consider any specific groups need further support. Pupils with special educational needs and higher attaining pupils are catered for exceptionally well with an impressive range of

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Grade: 1

enrichment activities and support provided, including a football group for pupils with specific needs that has attracted pupils from other schools in Andover.The pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is outstanding. The relationships between members of staff and the pupils are excellent and enhance the positive attitudes the pupils have towards their work; as one pupil said, 'You can say to the teachers what you actually feel and know they will listen'. The pupils respond well, demonstrating courteous and thoughtful behaviour in the classrooms and around the school. In a recent questionnaire of junior aged pupils' attitudes, none reported being bullied or picked on in their time at the school. They are proud of the school and play an important part in contributing to its success. Pupils are well prepared for future adult life and their views are taken seriously. Through the school council, they monitor

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Grade: 1

aspects of school life, such as the school dinners and initiate ideas for raising money for charities. They have very good opportunities for developing responsibilities; the clubs they run for each other and the 'Playground Friends' are well-established and highly valued by the pupils.

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Grade: 1

Pupils of all abilities make excellent progress during their time in school. Most of the pupils enter the Reception year with abilities that are slightly above the national 2 Inspection Report: St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, 2 March 2006 to 2 March 2006 average. They make good progress in their first year at school. By the end of Year 2, standards overall are significantly above those expected for pupils of this age and have been for the last three years. Attainment in writing is particularly impressive and reflects the recent whole-school targeting of this subject.All pupils make outstanding progress in Years 3 to 6. By the time the pupils leave the school, their attainment in English, mathematics and science is very high and well above the national expectations. Nearly all pupils, including higher attaining pupils and those pupils with special educational needs achieve their challenging, individual targets.

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Grade: 1

Pupils enjoy school and attendance is above average. The school has been awarded Healthy School status and the pupils have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles; they know what makes a healthy diet and participate enthusiastically in a wide variety of well supervised activities at lunchtimes and well attended after-school clubs. They make a considerable contribution to the community through their involvement with the local parish and various local and international charities.Pupils are developing a wide cultural understanding because they are offered good opportunities, for example in art, music, dance and drama. The school welcomes parents from other cultures to share experiences with the pupils; during the inspection a group of Filipino parents presented a dance and a Japanese parent read a story.

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Grade: 1

The good quality monitoring of teaching and learning carried out by the headteacher and deputy headteacher has found teaching to be consistently very good or better. Evidence from this inspection confirms that judgement. The on-going professional development of the teachers and support staff contributes effectively to the quality of education. It was evident, for example, that the training in strategies to challenge the higher attaining pupils was having a positive impact in the classrooms, and was being used profitably by the teachers to motivate pupils of all abilities.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is very well matched to the needs of the pupils. Links to a local secondary school enhance the opportunities in mathematics, science and information and communication technology (ICT) for higher attaining pupils. Pupils with special educational needs are very well catered for with support staff trained to deliver relevant programmes to pupils, including occupational therapy and social and communication skills. The curriculum is further enriched by numerous clubs, cultural and creative activities and visits, including popular residential trips for older pupils. 3 Inspection Report: St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, 2 March 2006 to 2 March 2006

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Grade: 1

The school is very inclusive and manages the care, guidance and support of pupils exceptionally well. The progress of different groups of pupils is carefully analysed before deciding how to allocate staff to the various support and intervention groups. In this way, the needs of individuals are very well matched, enabling pupils to make outstanding progress. The older pupils, including pupils with special educational needs, have their own targets helping them to keep in mind the key areas they are trying to improve,. The teachers' marking of pupils' books is good with helpful comments indicating how work could be improved. The school works successfully to foster positive relations with parents. During the inspection, a number of parents of ethnic minority pupils led activities during 'Book Week'. This has benefited not only the pupils but also enabled the teachers to have a greater understanding of any cultural differences,

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Grade: 1

for example, the amount of time children from other European countries have been at school.

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Grade: 1

The highly effective headteacher and senior staff share a very clear view about where the school is heading and have successfully conveyed these messages to the school community, ensuring a shared approach to developments and a school-wide determination to achieve improvements. Targeted improvements are monitored and evaluated rigorously, making certain their implementation is consistent across the school. The revision of curriculum plans in some subject areas has improved links between subjects, made explicit the skills to be taught to each year group and made sure the activities are sufficiently challenging.The implementation of these new plans will provide subject managers with a clearer whole-school view of standards and progress in their subject areas. The governing body is very active, works closely with the school and is in a good position to hold the school to account. Overall the school has an excellent capacity to improve. Parents and pupils are rightly proud of their

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Grade: 1

school and are very supportive. 4 Inspection Report: St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, 2 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: St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, 2 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 2 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 2 The attendance of learners NA 1 How well learners enjoy their education NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 2 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 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

Thank you for welcoming me so warmly during my visit to your school. I enjoyed talking to you, looking at your work and seeing your lessons. I was very pleased to see how much you enjoy lessons and how keen you are to learn. During my day in the school, I was impressed by:* the excellent quality of your work in many subjects but especially so in English, mathematics and science* how much you care for each other inside the classrooms and on the playground and how hard you work at making sure everyone enjoys their time at school. Your behaviour was considerate and polite in the classrooms and around the school * how pleased you are to be able to contribute to your school through the house system and school council* how well your teachers and other staff plan your work so that your lessons are interesting and demanding for all of you* the exciting range of lessons, special weeks, clubs, trips and visits you do while at the school* how very good your headteacher

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

and senior staff are, so that your school is always looking carefully at how well you are doing and seeing if there are ways you could do even better. You and your parents are right to be proud of your outstanding school. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time at St John's and that you continue to do your very best.

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