Oakwood Primary School

Inspection Report Oakwood Primary School

p.1

117222 Unique Reference Number HERTFORDSHIRE LEA LEA 280017 Inspection number 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006 Inspection dates Mr. Paul Cosway LI Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Oakwood Drive School address Primary Type of school AL4 0XA Community School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01727 753930 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01727 753931 Fax number 270 Number on roll Mr.David Moore Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Zoe Berndes Headteacher 20 March 2000 Date of previous inspection

p.1

Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280017 25 May 2006 - 4 to 11 26 May 2006 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

p.3

Description of the school

This is an average sized primary school, serving the east of St Albans. It is situated in a relatively advantaged area, although pupils come from a range of backgrounds. Fewer than average numbers of pupils have learning difficulties or disabilities. Most pupils are of White British background. The proportion at an early stage of learning English is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for free school meals is below average. The children enter the school with skills, knowledge and understanding which are slightly above average for their age. The standard entry number to the school has recently changed and is 45 and pupils are organised in single age classes and mixed age classes. The school has recently gained an Investors In People award for its management and development of staff and a Healthy School Award.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006

p.3

Grade: 2

This is a good school with outstanding features and it gives good value for money. The school rightly judges itself to be good and has a realistic understanding of its strengths and areas for improvement. Provision is good in the Foundation Stage and pupils begin Year 1 with literacy, numeracy and social skills above the national average. They make good progress through the rest of the school, because of their positive attitudes to learning and good teaching. They reach well above average standards in the national tests by the end of Year 6. Literacy and numeracy are taught well and the provision for information and communication technology (ICT), music and physical education is good, leading to high standards. In 2005, some girls in Year 2 did not perform to their potential in mathematics, however Year 2 results were still above average overall. Pupils' personal development is good overall with some elements that

p.4

Grade: 2

are outstanding. By the time they reach Year 6, almost all are well-behaved, responsible and considerate of others. Pupils have excellent attitudes to work and greatly enjoy school because they are taught well. The support and care they get are very good. Most teaching is good or outstanding. The curriculum is good in its range and quality, including educational visits and after-school clubs. Good systems are being developed for assessing pupils and for tracking their progress, but not all teachers are using tracking and pupils' targets effectively yet. Leadership and management are good. The headteacher has a good understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses and has a clear vision for the school. Ably supported by her senior team and the governors, she has improved behaviour in the school recently and raised standards in ICT. The school has improved since the last inspection and the team work and high

p.4

Grade: 2

morale of the staff ensure that it is well placed to improve further.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

- Use the good tracking systems that the school has devised more consistently so that teachers are aware of their pupils' targets and intervene more effectively if pupils are underachieving.

p.4

Grade: 2

Currently, standards are above average in the Foundation Stage and pupils make good progress from a level of understanding which is slightly above expectations for four-year-olds. Standards are well above average in English and mathematics by the age of seven and eleven. Standards in music, ICT, art and physical education are high, because the school's provision for these subjects is good. Most pupils are making good progress, achieving well and meeting challenging targets between Years 4 and 6. The school judges achievement and standards to be good, and wants to improve them further. In 2005, the proportion of Year 6 pupils who reached at least level 4 in the national tests was well above average. The proportion who reached level 5 in English, mathematics and science was much higher than in most schools. Results in reading 2 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006 and writing were well above the national average for last year's Year 2 pupils and they

p.4

Grade: 2

achieved well in Years 1 and 2. In mathematics, however, results were above average overall, but below average for the proportion of pupils reaching the level 3. This was because some of the girls did not make as much progress as the boys. The school has analysed the reasons for this and is beginning to track the progress of all groups of pupils more effectively. The few pupils for whom English is an additional language and others who have moderate learning difficulties or disabilities also make good progress. The school met its challenging targets in 2005 and is on course to meet the even higher targets for 2006.

p.5

Grade: 2

Personal development and well being is good overall and has some outstanding features. Pupils have excellent attitudes to school and greatly enjoy their work, particularly using computers. Attendance is good but not all families support the school and take holidays out of term time. Pupils adopt safe practices and older pupils take care of younger ones. The school has achieved 'Healthy School' status and pupils have an excellent understanding of how to live healthy lives. School meals and their presentation have been significantly improved over the last 18 months. Pupil's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. While behaviour is good overall, parents are concerned about the behaviour of a small minority of older pupils. The school has extended anti-bullying work and makes very clear what is acceptable. Behaviour has improved as a result and is now good. Pupils know there are people to talk to and the

p.5

Grade: 2

'worry box' is available to share concerns. There are good opportunities for pupils to take on responsibilities. They raise money for charities and contribute to the local community. Along with their high literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, this is excellent preparation for later life.

p.5

Grade: 2

Teaching is good overall, with some that is outstanding. Teachers have very good relationships with their pupils and manage them well. Most plan their lessons to interest the pupils and include a good range of tasks to keep the pupils involved. The pupils respond by showing great enthusiasm for learning. Teachers plan their work well to meet the needs and abilities of all pupils. In an outstanding lesson the teacher used resources very well to make learning interesting and give the pupils particularly clear, helpful guidance on how to improve their work. Teachers involve the pupils well in the lesson so that they are alert and enthusiastic, challenging all learners to work hard and achieve well. The school is working to share these skills more widely. In the few less successful lessons, the teachers manage pupils well, but do not use pupils' targets effectively or challenge them fully. Parents are generally pleased with the quality of

p.5

Grade: 2

3 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006 teaching and the guidance the school gives them on how to help their children. Homework is set regularly and supports well work done in class.

p.5

Grade: 2

The curriculum is good, being broad and well balanced. There are strengths in the way English activities are planned with a good emphasis on improving listening and writing skills. There are effective cross-curricular links between literacy and other subjects which provides lots of opportunities to write for a range of reasons and in different styles. Since the last inspection the school has extended the opportunities for pupils to use computers, and has plans to develop this further. Staff recognise that planning for problem solving activities in mathematics, though generally good, could be further developed. School improvement plans now reflect a growing focus on increasing pupil's confidence in the range of strategies they can use. Extra-curricular activities are good especially in sport and the school is proud of the successes the pupils have achieved in local competitions. Activities are well planned for groups of pupils including those

p.6

Grade: 2

with learning difficulties and disabilities.

p.6

Grade: 2

Elements of the school's care, support and guidance for its pupils are outstanding. The provision is good overall. The school monitors pupils' personal development very well. Pupils say that their teachers are friendly and that there is always someone they can turn to if they are in difficulty. There are excellent systems for rewarding good behaviour and a clear progression of sanctions for inappropriate behaviour, which pupils understand well. Good support is provided for pupils with learning difficulties, those at an early stage of learning English, and those who have been identified as gifted and talented. Teachers review pupils' progress regularly, although the ways that progress is tracked vary from teacher to teacher. The recently devised systems are good but need embedding further so that they are used consistently. In most instances, the marking of pupils' books gives them a clear indication of how they can improve.

p.6

Grade: 2

Older pupils in particular show a good awareness of the way they need to improve their work in order to move to the next level. The school carries out risk assessments for all its activities and has good procedures in place for child protection. Pupils feel safe.

p.6

Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher, supported very effectively by her deputy, has brought about significant improvements in the school since the last report, developing the use of ICT, for example, and improving the support for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. The school's self-evaluation procedures are good. The headteacher's management skills have ensured that the staff works as 4 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006 a team and their morale is high. Recognising that the role of subject leader was underdeveloped, she arranged additional training for them and extended their role. This has been successful and most now lead their subjects well. Almost all parents are very appreciative of the way the school is led and the ways in which it is continuing to improve. The views of parents and pupils are welcomed and they contribute well to school development. Some are concerned about the mixed age classes, thinking

p.6

Grade: 2

that this may disadvantage some children. This is outside the school's control and the school deals with the challenge well. The governance of the school is satisfactory. Some governors have a good knowledge of the school's work. Training is in place to strengthen the understanding of others, some of whom are new to the role. The school judges leadership and management to be satisfactory overall, not wanting to be complacent. This refusal to be easily satisfied is one of the reasons why the school is well placed to continue to improve. 5 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006 .

p.7

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Oakwood Primary School, 25 May 2006 to 26 May 2006

p.8

Overall

Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.9

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

p.9

Achievement and standards

NA 2 How well do learners achieve? NA 1 The standards 1 reached by learners

p.9

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

p.9

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 1 How well learners enjoy their education NA 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 2 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

p.9

needs and interests of learners?

NA 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.9

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.

p.9

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 3 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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you very much for your help when we visited your school. We were very impressed by how much you enjoyed your lessons. Your behaviour in school and in the playground was good. The inspection team has decided that your school is good, with some outstanding features. These include the way that it helps you to grow up to be responsible, caring and able to think for yourselves. All the adults in school care for you very well indeed. The teaching is good and you have interesting and enjoyable lessons. This helps you to make good progress. By the time you reach Year 6 most of you have reached standards well above those in most other schools. We have asked teachers to track your progress more consistently so that they can tell you where and how you can improve it further. Your headteacher is leading the school well and overall the leadership and management of the school are good. Your school continues to improve. The

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

work you do in music, ICT and physical education is of a high standard and we know that you enjoy these subjects very much. You also have lots of clubs, activities and trips and you help your local community. Both you and your parents think that this is a good school and you are right. Enjoy your time at school and continue to work hard.

p.11