Abberley Parochial VC Primary School

Inspection Report Abberley Parochial VC Primary School

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116780 Unique Reference Number Worcestershire LEA 279897 Inspection number 16 May 2006 to 16 May 2006 Inspection dates Christine Field AI 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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Abberley School address Primary Type of school Worcester Voluntary controlled School category Worcestershire WR6 6AA 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01299 896332 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01299 896332 Fax number 94 Number on roll Mrs Heather Morgan Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Jennifer Taylor Headteacher 15 November 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 279897 16 May 2006 - 4 to 11 16 May 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. The inspector met with a range of staff and pupils, scrutinised the school’s self-evaluation documentation and observed the school at work. All classrooms were visited and the inspector and headteacher conducted paired observations of lessons. Discussions with the Chair of governors, an informal meeting with parents and the receipt of 52 questionnaires from parents further assisted the writing of this report.

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Description of the school

Abberley Parochial is a very small rural Voluntary Controlled Church of England primary school that serves its local village and wider commuting communities. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and none is learning English as a new language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is average. When pupils start in Reception their attainment is generally average although each new group of pupils reflects a wide spread of ability, from above to below average. A significant number of pupils join or leave the school at various times through the year. The school is part of a Network Learning Community with four other schools. Since the last inspection the school has been accredited with three Achievement Awards from government for its work to raise standards.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Abberley is a good school with some outstanding features. The quality of team work is excellent. Pupils receive a rounded education, achieve well academically and build high levels of confidence because of the school’s very strong emphasis on them “learning by doing”. Everyone at Abberley places the pupils’ total wellbeing at the centre of their work, and as a result individuals feel safe and secure and able to take full advantage of the exciting experiences on offer. As one boy said, “I love coming to school - it is such a happy place to be”. The great majority of parents hold the school in very high regard and rightly praise the way it “brings out the best in our children and helps them to experience success”. Pupils achieve well over their time at school. The school’s data shows that pupils receive a secure start in the Foundation Stage, with virtually all reaching the levels of skills and knowledge expected for their age by the time they move into Year 1. Data presents

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Grade: 2

a mixed picture of standards in the rest of the school with caution required in interpreting it due to the small number of pupils tested and/or assessed. Nevertheless, standards have been consistently better at the end of Key Stage 2 than Key Stage 1. The school has recognised this and effective strategies are being used to help pupils improve their work now they are in Year 3 and this is quickening their rate of progress. Pupils’ progress in Key Stage 2 is good and for some years standards in the end of key stage tests have been above average in all three subjects tested; English, mathematics and science. The school has rightly identified that a few more able pupils should be doing better year-on-year and is working effectively to make sure they do. A good push on writing is resulting in much improved standards and better presentation as seen in pupils’ books, though spelling remains a relative weakness.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal, including spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a significant strength. The school’s very caring Christian ethos nurtures each pupil’s own unique talents and gives everyone the confidence to “have a go” without fear of failure. As a consequence, pupils blossom and readily take on roles of responsibility whether as members of the very active School Council or when captaining one of the many school sports teams. Pupils are friendly, open and welcoming. They show very caring attitudes to one another and take immense pride in looking after the school environment. Pupils have an extremely well developed appreciation of the world beyond their neighbourhood and a very good understanding of different cultures, lifestyles and beliefs. Pupils are growing into highly responsible future citizens. Teaching and learning are good. The very youngest learners enjoy a good range of learning experiences that enable them to build key skills with confidence. Across the

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Grade: 2

school, teaching is exciting and captures pupils’ interest. Classes are relaxed but respectful places in which relationships are excellent and behaviour exemplary. Pupils have very good capacity to work both independently and collaboratively because of the consistent approach to providing learning experiences that enable this. Pupils told the inspector they enjoy their lessons with maths, art and DT being amongst the favourites. As one Year 6 girl said, “because the lessons are so interesting we not only learn lots but have fun too!” Teachers’ planning is of good quality with close attention 2 Inspection Report: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 2006 paid to promoting key learning objectives. However, it does not always make clear exactly what skills and knowledge the more able pupils are expected to gain and this is a missed opportunity in supporting these pupils’ consistent progress. Teachers’

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Grade: 2

ongoing assessment understandably focuses on making sure that those who have experienced difficulties in a lesson receive the extra help they need to move on. There is scope for sharper assessment of the progress made by the more able learners so that more demanding work can be set for them in the next lesson. A good curriculum and outstanding pastoral welfare systems meet pupils’ personal needs extremely well. The quality of care and support is outstanding with very effective child protection arrangements in place. The curriculum is inclusive and innovative. It is extremely well enriched by a wide range of visits; for example a residential experience for Years 5 and 6 pupils in the Malvern Hills involved outdoor pursuits and was a highlight of the school year according to pupils. Pupils also recall with sheer pleasure the construction of woodland shelters during their visit to Bishopswood Environmental

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Grade: 2

Centre. Very regular use is made of local resources such as Witley Court heritage site to support art, history and geography studies. A school Eco-club is involved in a range of activities that include tree planting and vegetable growing, with some of the produce being sold. Numerous visitors are invited into school to share their experiences. Pupils told the inspector how much they found out about India, Indonesia and Africa from people from these countries who joined them during International Week. Leadership and management are good. The headteacher gives very strong leadership and sets very high expectations. Her accurate self-evaluation enables the school to pinpoint areas requiring improvement, and well-focused improvement strategies help it move forward. She enables others to exercise their leadership and management roles well and this is having a positive impact on the school’s good rate of improvement,

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Grade: 2

though further work is required in making lesson monitoring more robust. Parents’ and pupils’ views are regularly sought and acted upon. Governors are very supportive of the school and have a clear understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. New governors have undergone a very positive induction process. An excellent partnership is in place with other local schools that both adds enrichment to the curriculum and supports improvement. The school has very good capacity to continue to improve.

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Grade: 2

•Pupils are proud of their achievements. They gain much from projects, for example when designing and making a motorised buggy. In reflecting on the quality and standard of his finished product, one boy said he hadn’t quite got the production skills to make an exact copy of his design and next time would have made the roof of his vehicle rounded to be more aerodynamic. •Work on display such as the superb African masks, paper weaving and tie dyeing show a high standard of finish. 3 Inspection Report: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 2006

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Grade: 1

•The youngest learners are very confident and keen to share their experiences. While playing outside in the wonderful large-size sailing boat, one boy invited the inspector to “join him and sail to an island to find some treasure and bring back lots of gold!” •As they grow older, pupils build an excellent understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles, know how to stay safe, are very enterprising and are extremely well involved in the local community.

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Grade: 2

•The school’s good teaching is reflected in the pupils’ positive achievement. Boys and girls of all ages and backgrounds are fully included in all learning opportunities. Well-deployed teaching assistants work effectively in supporting pupils with learning difficulties. When talking to the inspector, one boy told her how much he valued being given such good support.

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Grade: 2

•The curriculum successfully promotes pupils’ positive enjoyment with excellent cross-curricular use of ICT and outstanding enrichment that helps heighten pupils’ physical, aesthetic and creative awareness. •Very positive links with parents are promoting a partnership approach to education that is bringing very great benefit to lifelong learning. •There is good attention paid to developing pupils’ artistic and musical gifts as well as sporting talents; however, work in lessons does not always meet the aspirations of the more able learners.

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Grade: 1

•Pupils settle in the Reception class quickly because of the highly effective induction programme. This is true of new joiners to school who each experience a “taster session” with their parents before their first day. •One parent told the inspector they regard highly the school’s caring Christian ethos that enables their children to have freedom to express themselves and to grow as strong and compassionate human beings.

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Grade: 2

•Notable improvements since the last inspection include the super new accommodation and significantly enhanced ICT resources. To watch Year 2 and 3 pupils digitally record 4 Inspection Report: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 2006 and then present their work on 2 and 3D shapes to the class was a real pleasure for the inspector. •Performance management and professional development systems are viewed very positively by the staff in helping move the school forward. •Parents and governors are very involved in the life and development of the school. For example, the Chair of Governors, who is also a parent, uses her particular expertise to teach French and Italian to all year groups and German to Year 6. 5 Inspection Report: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 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: Abberley Parochial VC Primary School, 16 May 2006 to 16 May 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 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 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 2 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 very much for making me so welcome when I visited your school for the day. It was a real pleasure to chat with so many of you and to hear what you had to say about your super school. It was great having my photograph taken with some of you too! There are many very positive things about Abberley that I know you appreciate. Here are some that I particularly want to celebrate: •Your school is welcoming and friendly, with so much going on that there is never a chance to become bored - your excellent behaviour was a joy to see. •Your teachers and the other adults in school do a really good job of looking after you as well as making sure your lessons are interesting - I was very impressed with the way you concentrate and work together to solve problems. •You told me that you enjoy all your subjects but especially like the visits to museums, art galleries, theatre and best of all Malvern Hills outdoor centre. Year 6 explained about

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

“sleeping in dorms” which sounds great fun, and about working in teams to build “woodland shelters” - I have mentioned this in my report and some of you might want to read this to see if you can find out where. •Your headteacher is very good at her job and she has made sure that your school is one to be proud of. One of the reasons for its success is that everyone makes sure it gets better and better. There are one or two areas that the staff will be working to improve and I am sure you will help them - particularly those of you who like a challenge and think you could do even better if stretched a little more.

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