Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School

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117388 Unique Reference Number HERTFORDSHIRE LEA LEA 280062 Inspection number 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006 Inspection dates Mr. David Manuel LI Reporting inspector

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

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Ware Road School address Primary Type of school SG12 0HN Voluntary controlled School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01920462894 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01920462894 Fax number 56 Number on roll Mr.Robert Boulton Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Jean Newman Headteacher 20 November 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280062 30 January 2006 - 4 to 11 31 January 2006 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006

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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.

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Description of the school

Tonwell St Mary's is a very small Church of England school serving the village of Tonwell and the surrounding area. The area is a mix of privately owned, rented and local authority housing. Most pupils are of White British origin. An above average proportion of pupils have special learning difficulties and disabilities and a higher than average proportion of pupils have statements of special educational needs. Attainment on entry to the school is variable but broadly average overall. In September 2005, the school admitted children of nursery age for the first time. In the past two years the school, on its very small site, has experienced a period of significant disruption because of alterations to accommodation. Considerable staffing changes have also taken place in the past year.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006

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Grade: 3

The school judges itself to be satisfactory, mainly because of the instability of recent years. Inspection judgments confirm this but also identify some good features. The school provides satisfactory value for money. However, it is evident that with the improved accommodation, the newly established staff and the good leadership of the headteacher, the school has good capacity for improvement. Governors have provided good support during the period of instability. Most of the issues identified at the time of the previous inspection have been resolved. Improvements are still needed in the management structure for the new staff and the use of assessment to set clear targets. Children in the Foundation Stage receive a good start to their education and most are likely to achieve the standards expected for their age by the end of reception. The quality of teaching in the Foundation Stage and in Years 3 to 6 is good but teaching

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Grade: 3

in Years 1 and 2 is satisfactory. Pupils' personal development and wellbeing are good. Pupils display positive attitudes to learning and behave well in lessons and around the school. Relationships between adults and pupils and between pupils themselves are good and reflect the good quality of care, support and guidance provided by the school. The curriculum is enriched by a good range of additional activities which contributes to pupils' enjoyment and achievement. Attendance rates have fluctuated over recent years but are broadly average overall. Parents are very supportive and have high regard for the school.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Consolidate the new management systems to support and monitor improvements, particularly in Years 1 and 2. - Build on the new assessment procedures and target setting to fully extend the achievement of all pupils.

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Grade: 3

Overall standards and achievement are satisfactory. Within the small numbers of pupils in each year group, standards on entry vary considerably. Prior to this academic year, children started in reception at the age of four. They can now start in the nursery when they are three. Children in the Foundation Stage achieve well, especially those with particular learning needs. Most children are likely to achieve the levels expected by the end of reception. The school's performance in the 2005 national tests for seven-year-olds was below the national average. This was mainly due to the fact that few pupils gained the higher Level 3. In the tests for eleven-year-olds the results were above the national average and their rate of progress from Year 2 was at the expected level. Last term, the school introduced new procedures to improve identified weaknesses in mathematics and these are proving successful. A high proportion of pupils in the

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Grade: 3

current Year 6 have learning difficulties. Detailed records show that most are achieving as well as they should, a few better than this, but standards are likely to be below expected levels by the end of Year 6. Records show that pupils in all year groups 2 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006 consistently achieve the expected rate of progress during their time in the school. They generally meet the targets set for them and there is no significant underachievement.

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Grade: 2

Pupils clearly enjoy school. They form good relationships with adults and each other. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. Pupils talk with enthusiasm about what they are learning and enjoy the after school activities provided for them. Pupils know the school rules and are keen to gain certificates for good effort or attainment. Pupils work and play together well and incidents of bullying or anti-social behaviour are very rare. They are confident and know that adults will help them if necessary. Pupils have a good sense of community spirit, demonstrated in their contributions around the school, including a sculpture which they created at the front of the school. They confidently express their views in school council meetings. Pupils are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles through awareness of the need for a healthy diet, staying safe and participation in a range of sporting activities. Pupils are keen to help others

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Grade: 2

less fortunate than themselves through fund raising activities for charities, such as Christian Aid. They are also involved in local community events and church festivals. Pupils appreciate the different cultures in society and develop a good understanding of different faiths. As a result of these successes, pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good.

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Grade: 3

The quality of teaching and learning overall is satisfactory. Teaching in the Foundation Stage and in Years 3 to 6 is good, while in Years 1 and 2 teaching is satisfactory. Following a period of staff changes, the new teachers have formed a good team and work together well. The best teaching is lively and challenging and motivates pupils. In these lessons, pupils learn well because tasks are matched to the full range of needs. Teachers and teaching assistants work well together and this helps to meet the wide range of different capabilities. Where teaching is less successful, there are weaknesses in planning and there is insufficient challenge for the full range of pupils' capabilities. New assessment procedures were introduced in September 2005. They are detailed and provide teachers with useful information about how to plan the next stage in learning, particularly in English and mathematics. To support these procedures further,

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Grade: 3

teachers involve pupils in discussions about their learning and the setting of new targets to be achieved. Pupils are also involved more in their own self-assessment. Most teachers have high expectations of pupils and as a result, pupils respond well in the improved learning environment. There is now a need to build on the new assessment procedures to ensure that pupils of all capabilities are fully extended. 3 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006

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Grade: 3

The school provides a satisfactory curriculum which is suitably broad and balanced and meets the needs of all pupils. Provision ensures that pupils develop important basic skills, together with healthy lifestyles and aspects of personal safety. This prepares them well for the next stage of education and for adult life. Recent changes in provision for mathematics have increased the opportunities for mental calculation, resulting in improved responses by pupils. New strategies have also improved the links between information and communication technology and other subjects and interactive whiteboards are to be introduced soon. A good range of after school activities is offered and successfully develops pupils' interests and skills. A local artist and a local sculptor have worked with pupils to enrich their learning experiences. Pupils also visit places of interest to increase their knowledge and understanding of subjects such as

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Grade: 3

history. Links with local industry, the church and other schools also supplement the curriculum well.

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Grade: 2

The care, guidance and support provided for pupils are good. Teachers and teaching assistants work hard to provide effective support for pupils of all capabilities and backgrounds. Pupils agree that their teachers help them a lot. Child protection arrangements are well established and known by all adults. Provision for the significant number of pupils with special learning difficulties and disabilities is well organised. Pupils are given clear guidance for their personal and social development through well planned sessions when they share ideas together on a range of topics. The school building has been much improved in recent years, resulting in a safer and more attractive learning environment.

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Grade: 3

The quality of leadership and management is satisfactory overall. The headteacher provides good leadership and is well supported by the governing body. Together they have worked tirelessly since the previous inspection to bring about the required improvements in the Foundation Stage, in teaching and provision and in the unsatisfactory accommodation in particular. As a result of these improvements, stability and enjoyment have been brought to the daily life of the school. Good team work is developing a positive learning environment which encourages pupils to improve their academic and personal skills. However, the school now needs to consolidate the new management systems with the recently appointed staff to support and monitor improvements throughout the school, but particularly in Years 1 and 2. The headteacher and governors have maintained the very good relationships that exist between parents and the school and actively seek the views of the parents. Parents provide very good

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Grade: 3

support for the school in many ways. The school has effective procedures for checking 4 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 2006 its own performance and is working successfully towards increasing the amount of good teaching and learning. Governors are experienced, supportive and challenging and have made significant contributions to the recent developments within the school. With a more settled staff, improved provision and accommodation, the school's capacity to improve further is good. 5 Inspection Report: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 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: Tonwell St Mary's Church of England Primary School, 30 January 2006 to 31 January 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 3 The quality and standards in foundation stage NA 3 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 3 How well do learners achieve? NA 3 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 3 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 3 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 3 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 3 How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education NA 3 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 my visit to your school, I would like to thank you for helping me. I enjoyed being in your school very much and was pleased to speak to you and learn about what you thought of your school. I believe that you go to a very caring school, where your headteacher, teachers and teaching assistants look after you well. The lessons I saw were interesting and you obviously enjoy them a lot. You are all trying hard to improve in all subjects. You helped each other in lessons and played well together at playtimes. I think your school council has some very good ideas to help everyone enjoy their time at the school. I wish you success with your new idea for a Healthy Tuck Shop. You are benefiting from improvements in the building with more classrooms, more space and a new library area. I hope you will enjoy these improvements. To become better still your school should help the teachers newly in charge of subjects to do their

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

job as well as they can. Your teachers also need to tell you more clearly how well you are doing and how to improve so you do better work. I hope you continue to enjoy your lessons and playing together. I wish you well and feel that your school will continue to improve.

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