Creswick Primary & Nursery School

Inspection Report Creswick Primary and Nursery School

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117229 Unique Reference Number HERTFORDSHIRE LEA LEA 280019 Inspection number 27 February 2006 to 28 February 2006 Inspection dates Mrs. Alison Pangbourne LI Reporting inspector

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

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Sir John Newsom Way School address Primary Type of school AL7 4TP Community School category 3 to 11 Age range of pupils 01707 323038 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01707 323038 Fax number 237 Number on roll Mr.David Hegarty Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Ann Keen Headteacher 2 October 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280019 27 February 2006 - 3 to 11 28 February 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 a team of two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is an average sized primary and nursery school. Most pupils come from White British families with a few from minority ethnic backgrounds. None are at an early stage of learning English. The number of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is below average. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is above average. When children start school, standards are below those typical for 3 and 4 year olds, particularly in social and language development. Since the previous inspection, there have been several headteachers and numerous staff changes.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. In its self-evaluation, the school was modest in some of its judgements, in particular the progress pupils make and the quality of the curriculum. The school is emerging from an unsettled period and so it has been understandably cautious in its judgements. Now the position is much improved with a settled teaching staff who are helping all pupils to make good progress. When children start school, standards are below those typical for 3 and 4 year olds. The youngest children get off to a good start and make good progress. Standards have risen year on year. This year, standards are likely to be above average in English and mathematics by the time pupils leave when they are 11 years old. This represents good progress. Standards in science are broadly average and the number of pupils exceeding the expected level for their age is below average. Progress here is satisfactory. The school has already identified

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Grade: 2

this as an area for improvement. Pupils do well overall because the quality of teaching is good and the teaching for the oldest pupils is excellent and boosts their achievement. However, not all teachers use pupils' individual targets effectively to help them understand what they need to do to improve. Interesting activities encourage pupils to work hard. They are well cared for, their behaviour is good and they enjoy coming to school. Parents think highly of the school. The headteacher provides good leadership, ably supported by the deputy headteacher and senior staff. The rising standards and the improvements since the previous inspection, particularly in information and communication technology (ICT), show that the school has a good capacity to improve further. It provides good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Raise standards in science by improving the proportion that exceeds the expected level for 11-year-olds. - Develop the use of pupils' targets so that they are clearer about what they need to do to improve.

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Grade: 2

Achievement and standards are good. Children in the Nursery and Reception class make good progress because of the good teaching and the interesting things to do. In spite of this, by the beginning of Year 1, most children have not reached the level expected for their age because they still have a lot of catching up to do. In recent years, standards have been below average for 7-year-olds, but this year they are average and pupils are making good progress. Pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 have had many changes of teacher and this has disrupted their learning. They have not made as much progress in the past as they should. Now, they are rapidly catching up and standards through the school are steadily rising now that the staffing situation has stabilised. Pupils in key stage 2 are now making good progress. Standards for 11-year-olds have been broadly average in English and mathematics and below average in science recently.

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Grade: 2

This year they are above average in English and mathematics and average in science. 2 Inspection Report: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 2006 This is partly because there is a smaller proportion of pupils with learning difficulties in this year group but also because of the initiatives put in place to raise standards, for example, the focus on problem solving. There is room to improve the proportion that exceeds the level expected for their age in science by ensuring that tasks are sufficiently challenging for higher attainers. Pupils who left last year met the challenging targets set for them in English and mathematics. Pupils do well because they are given many opportunities to work in pairs and they get additional encouragement from the excellent teaching in Year 6. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language also do well

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Grade: 2

because tasks are carefully matched to their needs and they are well supported by teachers and teaching assistants.

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Grade: 2

The pupils' personal development is good. Pupils enjoy their lessons and attendance is average. They work hard and behave well. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. One Year 6 pupil said, 'We all get along.' They are proud of the school, play together with enthusiasm and energy, whilst ensuring that the needs of others in the playground are respected. They enjoy taking responsibility, such as being members of the school council and being 'playground pals'. These pupils make a strong contribution to others' enjoyment at play and lunchtimes. The school council has been responsible for raising money to buy new playground equipment. Pupils value the customs and beliefs of other cultures. They have a good understanding of aspects of Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. Most pupils contribute effectively to the community. Older pupils go and sing to patients in a local hospital. In addition, they

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Grade: 2

are very proud of their fund raising activities to support a school in Sri-Lanka. Attendance is satisfactory. Pupils explain well how to lead healthy and safe lives. Most pupils eat fruit at break times. Those in Years 1 to 6 work with sports specialists on a weekly basis. All pupils have two physical education lessons a week and some have three sessions. A significant number of pupils take part in Welwyn Garden City tournaments for netball, football and athletics. All Year 6 pupils gained a basic hygiene award last year. They are effectively prepared for the world of work with well developed skills in English, mathematics and social skills.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching is good. This allows pupils to make good progress in learning basic skills. Teachers are enthusiastic about learning and so pupils are keen to work. Exciting use of ICT means that pupils develop their understanding of more complex ideas such as the interpretation of data and graphs. Effective teaching methods and practical activities are used well to capture pupils' interests. For example, in a good English lesson in Year 1, the teacher used a game of word bingo to develop pupils' 3 Inspection Report: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 2006 reading skills. This enabled them to learn to recognise key words accurately and quickly. Good lesson planning ensures time is used effectively and different groups of pupils are usually challenged. However, higher attaining pupils are not always challenged sufficiently in science. Effective use of paired work means pupils learn to support each

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Grade: 2

other in various subjects. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities receive a good level of support from teaching assistants and the co-ordinator for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. Assessment activities are used satisfactorily. However, some teachers do not use the time at the end of lessons well to assess and involve pupils in evaluating their success and areas for improvement. This means that they are not consistently developing skills that will assist them to improve their work.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. Pupils achieve well in literacy, numeracy and ICT. The work pupils do is varied with enough time given to each subject. However, links between subjects are not always made effectively. The school works carefully to ensure that pupils' days are interesting. For instance, exciting weeks are planned regularly and a recent one developed pupils' awareness of healthy lifestyles. Effective provision for music includes the opportunity for all to have specialist teaching and pupils in Year 5 have extra provision which allows them to learn to play instruments such as the saxophone, flute and clarinet. They have many opportunities to sing and perform within the school in musical productions and activities. A good range of after-school and lunch time clubs is enjoyed by the pupils and enhances their education.

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Grade: 2

The quality of care, guidance and support for pupils is good. Teachers and teaching assistants know all pupils well and work effectively to ensure they are safe and healthy. Procedures for child protection are thorough. The school makes all required checks on adults working in the school so that the pupils are kept as safe as they can be. Pupils speak highly of their teachers. One Year 6 pupil said, 'A lot of teachers are friendly.' High quality support and care ensure that pupils remain enthusiastic about coming to school and are willing to learn. Pupils who have learning difficulties and disabilities are identified early and supported well. The school works closely with external agencies to ensure the needs of these pupils are met. The school works effectively with parents. Workshops are planned which explain teaching methods. For example, a recent session developed parents' understanding of ways to teach numeracy.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' achievement is tracked effectively in reading, writing, mathematics and science from the Nursery to Year 6. However, not all pupils are clear about which targets they are working towards. This means that pupils are not as clear as they could be about how to improve. 4 Inspection Report: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 2006

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher leads the school with energy and dedication. She has been the driving force behind the many improvements that have been made. She has brought stability and a strong sense of teamwork to the school. The school has identified the right areas for improvement in the good development plan. Raising standards in science has been identified as a priority for next year. This shows that the school's self-evaluation is effective. While subject leaders for English, mathematics, science and ICT fulfil their roles effectively with a clear understanding of standards and areas for improvement, this is not as well developed for those who lead the other subjects. The school works effectively to include pupils from all backgrounds and this contributes to the good ethos of the school. The views of all members of the community are welcomed and the school takes every opportunity

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Grade: 2

to help parents understand how their children learn. Parents are very positive about the school. One parent said 'We think the school is fantastic. We work closely together to sort out any problems.' The good team spirit among the staff and governors is helping to drive the school forward. The governors watch over the school well and are fully involved in the work of the school. The constant desire to do better and the improvements that have taken place since the previous inspection, particularly in ICT, shows that the school has a good capacity to improve further. 5 Inspection Report: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 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: Creswick Primary and Nursery School, 27 February 2006 to 28 February 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 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 3 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 2 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

Following our visit to your school, we would like to thank you for helping us. We enjoyed talking to you and watching you learn. What we liked best: - your behaviour is good and you play nicely with your friends - you are learning well because teachers give you the right things to do in lessons - you have lots of interesting things to do in lessons - you all look very smart in your school uniforms - all the grown-ups make sure that you are well cared for - the way your headteacher runs the school is good and she wants you all to do well - you and your parents are right in thinking that you go to a good school. What we have asked your school to do now to make it even better: - help more of you to do better in science - we have asked teachers to help you to know your targets so that you can do even better. We wish you all the best with your learning. Carry on enjoying your time at Creswick Primary School.

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