St Cross Catholic Primary School

Inspection Report Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School

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117483 Unique Reference Number HERTFORDSHIRE LEA LEA 280093 Inspection number 17 January 2006 to 18 January 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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Upper Marsh Lane School address Primary Type of school EN11 8BN Voluntary aided School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01992 467 309 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01992450362 Fax number 202 Number on roll Mrs.Kate Daynes Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr. Sean Curran Headteacher Not applicable Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280093 17 January 2006 - 4 to 11 18 January 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school has close links with the local church. A few pupils come from minority ethnic heritages but about a quarter come from Italian families. A few pupils are from travelling communities. This is a high proportion. About 24 are at an early stage of learning English. The number of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is lower than in most schools. Most of these pupils have moderate learning difficulties. The number of pupils entitled to a free school meal is low. The level of knowledge and understanding which pupils enter the school with meets national expectations. The acting headteacher has been in post since September 2005 following a period where 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: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 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 quality of teaching and leadership and management. The school is emerging from a difficult period and so it has been understandably cautious in its judgements. Now the position is much improved with a committed acting headteacher and settled teaching staff. When children start school, standards are typical of 4-year-olds. By the time they leave, when they are eleven years old, standards are exceptionally high. Pupils in years 3 to 6 make excellent progress. The quality of teaching is good and teaching for the oldest pupils is excellent. Very supportive parents provide effective help. Interesting activities encourage pupils to work hard and they want to do well. Standards and the quality of the Foundation Stage are good. The youngest children get off to an effective start. The school has begun to help more

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Grade: 2

pupils to exceed the expected level by the end of Year 2. Pupils' behaviour and their enjoyment in school are outstanding. They make an effective contribution to the community. The good curriculum meets their needs. The headteacher and his deputy work well to help pupils do even better Many things have been introduced recently to help staff fulfil their management roles but these have yet to be fully developed. The way that the governors and the established senior management team have ensured that standards have not been adversely affected during this testing period and the successful initiatives introduced by the headteacher show that there is a good capacity to improve further. The school gives good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Continue the drive to raise standards for 7-year-olds by improving the proportion that exceeds the level expected for their age in reading, writing, mathematics and science. - Embed the recent developments to enable all staff to fulfil their management roles successfully.

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Grade: 2

Achievement and standards are very good. When children start school, standards are broadly average. In recent years standards have been consistently above average for 7-year-olds and pupils made good progress. In 2005, standards fell sharply. This was due to a combination of circumstances. An unusually high number of pupils had learning difficulties and some had significant needs. The class also had many changes of teacher which disrupted their learning. Boys nationally tend not to do as well as girls and there were twice as many boys as girls in the year group. Few were assessed as exceeding the level expected for their age and this affected standards. This year standards in Year 2 are above those expected for their age and pupils are again making good progress. There is still room for improvement in the proportion of pupils that exceed the level expected for their age to raise standards still further. As pupils move through

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Grade: 2

the school progress accelerates, particularly in Years 5 and 6. Consequently, standards 2 Inspection Report: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 in Year 6 have been very high in recent years. In 2005, national test results were amongst the highest nationally. The number of pupils exceeding the expected level is very high. Pupils make excellent progress in English, mathematics and science. Those who left last year exceeded the already challenging targets set for them. They do so well because of the additional boost given by the excellent teaching in Year 6. They want to do well and their parents encourage them in this. For example, supporting them with homework. Pupils with learning difficulties, those who speak English as an additional language and those who are gifted and talented also do very well. This is because tasks are well matched to their needs and they are well supported by teachers

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Grade: 2

Pupils' enjoyment of school is outstanding. They consider it 'a friendly place', feel safe and secure and know they can turn to anyone for advice when they need help. They say lessons are fun, as well as hard work, and they try their best. Pupils support each other very well and spontaneously applaud others' success. They are exceptionally well behaved, mature and self disciplined. This is reflected in their friendly, polite and courteous manner. All of this is recognised by parents who appreciate what the school does for their children. Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their future development through the high standards they achieve and their skills in literacy and numeracy. They take on responsibility through the school council which gives them an active role in bringing forward ideas and suggestions for school improvement. They raise their own funds to help develop these. Safe and healthy lifestyles for pupils are

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Grade: 2

well developed. The good focus on and awareness of healthy lifestyles includes good quality, healthy school lunches. Pupils regularly take part in vigorous physical exercise, including swimming, and the good variety of after school sports activities and clubs contribute well to this. Because they enjoy school so much, attendance is higher than the national average. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good and reflects the strong Catholic ethos of the school. The whole school has been actively involved in raising money for a wide range of charities. Through a range of well thought out lessons in personal, social and health education pupils have a good awareness of the local culture within the community and a developing understanding of living in a diverse society.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good with some outstanding teaching and learning in Year 6. Here, pupils are really challenged to do their best, stretching even the most able. As a consequence, pupils are confident and know that they are effective learners. Introductions to lessons are brisk and teachers question pupils well both to check their understanding and extend their thinking. From reception onwards, praise 3 Inspection Report: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 and encouragement are used very well and there are high expectations of pupils' behaviour and performance. This is achieved through the very good relationships that have been established. Teachers plan work, including homework, in great detail. With good support from teaching assistants, pupils' work is carefully evaluated to ensure learning activities are well matched to meet the needs of all pupils in most classes.

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Grade: 2

The work in pupils' books shows how well targeted this is in building successfully on what they already know. This is seen through the progress pupils make and reflects effective teaching across the school and over a long time. The good leadership and management of the school at all levels have contributed strongly to an ethos that promotes high quality learning. Good assessment procedures are used to set challenging targets and track pupils' progress. Although only more recently introduced, the system has become established quickly and enables teachers to set very accurate targets for improvement.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good and enhanced by links between subjects. However, some subject policies do not yet reflect more recent national initiatives. The school uses national guidance for many subjects but this has not yet been tailored to meet the needs of the school. Children in the reception class thoroughly enjoy the wide range of stimulating activities that provide excellent opportunities for them to learn and practise early skills of reading, writing and number. The well organised provision for pupils with learning difficulties is very good and enables these pupils to achieve as well as others in the school. All have clear education plans and are helpfully supported by teaching assistants. Very good support and guidance is provided for those pupils who are at the early stages of learning English. Planning for all subjects is detailed and provides a clear structure for the teaching of the full range of skills. Information and

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Grade: 2

communication technology (ICT) is suitably planned to develop pupils' skills and good use is made of the technology suite. Planning for the use of ICT in the classroom provides additional opportunities for pupils and makes this a regular, integral part of their day-to-day learning. The curriculum is made interesting through a good range of well-supported after-school activities. Along with a good personal, social and health education policy, these encourage pupils to be safe, active and healthy and develop an interest in music and the arts.

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Grade: 2

There are very good systems to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the pupils. Child protection procedures are in place and staff training is kept up to date. The school actively promotes personal development and well being in both the pastoral and spiritual sense and has very effective strategies to improve academic achievement through close monitoring of progress. All pupils have clear and demanding targets that help them to understand how they can improve their work in literacy and numeracy. They are discussed with pupils and reviewed regularly. The sharpness of these targets 4 Inspection Report: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 helps them to make excellent progress in some year groups. Those who show particular gifts or talents are as well supported as those who have learning difficulties. There is very good provision for those pupils newly into school, particularly where they are at

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Grade: 2

the early stages of learning English, and for those from traveller families.

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Grade: 2

The headteacher leads the school with energy and dedication. He is open and honest about what needs to be done to bring the necessary stability and to provide the very best for its pupils. He has identified the right areas for development in the good school development plan. This shows that the school's self-evaluation is effective. It has rightly identified that more pupils in Year 2 could reach higher levels and is working towards this. The school works very effectively to include pupils from all backgrounds and this contributes to the family ethos. The views of all members of the community are welcomed and parents are very positive about the school. One parent said 'The school has managed to keep its firm control on teaching and discipline and carries on with its head held high!'' The governors are committed to making the right appointment for the school to lead the school onwards. They have worked hard to establish a clear

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Grade: 2

vision for the school based on very high expectations in all aspects of its work. The headteacher has introduced several good initiatives to establish a firm base for future development. For example, he has re-organised subject leadership into teams, where less experienced staff can learn from more experienced colleagues. However, these developments are not yet firmly embedded. The deputy headteacher and senior staff have showed commitment and loyalty during this difficult period where there has been considerable staff turnover and a succession of headteachers. Together with the governors they have ensured that the quality of education has remained high in many aspects of the school. This strong sense of teamwork is helping to drive the school forward. The school has a good capacity to improve further. 5 Inspection Report: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 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: Saint Cross Roman Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 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 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 1 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 1 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 2 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

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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 was best: - you made us feel very welcome and greeted us with a friendly smile - you really enjoy your work and join in your lessons well - your behaviour is excellent and you are polite to your teachers and visitors - all the grown-ups work hard to make sure that you get the right sort of assistance to help you learn - your headteacher is working hard to make your school even better - you have lots of interesting and exciting things to do in lessons - 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 in Year 2 to do even better - help the teachers to have an even better understanding of all the new things that the headteacher has introduced.

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