All Saints' Church of England Junior School

Inspection Report All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle

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117978 Unique Reference Number East Riding of Yorkshire LEA 280202 Inspection number 6 June 2006 to 7 June 2006 Inspection dates Mrs Lynne Read Reporting inspector

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

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Northolme Road School address Junior Type of school Hessle Voluntary controlled School category HU13 9JD 7 to 11 Age range of pupils 01482 648082 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01482 627653 Fax number 430 Number on roll Mrs Hazel Andersen Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Phil Williamson Headteacher 1 March 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280202 6 June 2006 - 7 to 11 7 June 2006 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

All Saints is a very large junior school. Pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds and a significant proportion of families have the support of social services or other agencies. The proportion of pupils claiming free school meals is, however, below average. When they enter Year 3, the pupils’ attainment is broadly average overall and the proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is around average. The majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds, although a few are of Asian or European heritage.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 2006

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Grade: 3

All Saints is a satisfactory school which is improving and which gives satisfactory value for money. The school listens to pupils’ and parents’ views. In the returned questionnaires, parents’ opinions show great confidence in the headteacher and his staff and commend the ‘caring and supportive environment’ of the school. The school’s main strengths lie in pupils’ personal development and the care and support the school provides, especially for vulnerable pupils, through excellent home–school links. Pupils feel safe in school, enjoy their lessons and their attendance is above average. Leadership and management are satisfactory. The headteacher’s strong leadership and clear vision result in good teamwork amongst the staff. The leadership team is working hard to raise standards and has improved teaching and management in order to achieve this aim. These improvements include a more effective monitoring of the

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Grade: 3

quality of teaching and learning, improved tracking of pupils’ progress and higher expectations of achievement. As a result of these measures, the pupils are making better progress. The recent improvements show clearly that the school has the capacity for future sustained improvement. Pupils’ achievement is satisfactory. They make steady progress and reach average standards, although standards still vary too much between subjects. Standards in English have risen consistently in recent years and are average. In mathematics and science, however, they dipped in 2005 to below average. The inspection shows that progress is now satisfactory in mathematics. But it is still not good enough in science, especially for the more able pupils, and standards could be higher still with better teaching of experimental and practical work. On the other hand, the pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are well taught, make good progress and generally reach

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Grade: 3

the standard expected in the Year 6 tests. Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall and are good in English and for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The marking of pupils’ work is effective in English, but in mathematics and science the teachers do not show the pupils well enough how to improve their work. Although the basic skills of literacy and numeracy are taught effectively, there are not enough opportunities for pupils to practise and apply their computer skills when studying other subjects.

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What the school should do to improve further

In order to continue the drive for improvement, the school should: • raise standards of the more able pupils in science • extend pupils’ use of computers in all subjects across the curriculum • extend the good quality marking of pupils’ work in English to mathematics and science. 2 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 2006

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Grade: 3

The pupils’ overall achievement is satisfactory. The school makes a formal assessment of pupils’ standards in the first few weeks of Year 3. Although the assessment indicates broadly average standards at entry, it also reveals that a good proportion of the pupils have not reached the level expected for their age and that few of them have exceeded that level. Overall, pupils make satisfactory progress in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and reach average standards in Year 6. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make good progress and the great majority of them reach the standards expected for their age in Year 6. Although pupils’ progress is improving, the school recognises that, across the four years, it could be even better. This is particularly the case in science. In reading and writing, pupils make consistently satisfactory progress. The Year 6 test results in mathematics and science dropped to below average in 2005, mainly because too few

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Grade: 3

pupils exceeded the level expected for their age, although several pupils only narrowly missed doing so. In science, pupils’ skills of experimentation and investigation and their technique in answering questions are weaknesses which hold them back. The new leadership team reacted swiftly to the 2005 fall in test results, improving teaching through better assessment procedures, working to improve pupils’ writing skills in science, and generally raising teachers’ expectations of their pupils. These improvements in teaching have led to more rapid progress. The school’s records and the inspection’s examination of pupils’ written work show that more pupils are now working above the expected level in mathematics, but there is still scope to increase these numbers in science. Careful grouping of the pupils in their classes is helping to boost the attainment of girls, which was lower than those of the boys but now equals them.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development is good and is a strength of the school. Behaviour and attitudes to school are good. Very occasionally, pupils lose concentration in lessons but, for the most part, they work hard. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Strong links with the church and thoughtful discussions help to develop pupils’ spirituality well. Pupils take advantage of the many opportunities provided for them to learn, exercise and play together, which adds much to their social development. They are keenly aware of their responsibilities within the school community and try hard to keep to the school’s very own ‘care code promise’. Pupils respect views and beliefs different from their own but have only a little understanding of the different cultures and lifestyles in modern British society. The school teaches basic skills of literacy and numeracy thoroughly so that pupils are prepared effectively

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Grade: 2

for the next stage of their education. In recognition of this, the school has been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark. 3 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 2006

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Grade: 3

Teaching is satisfactory overall and improving. Although the inspectors frequently saw good teaching in individual lessons, teaching is not yet consistently good and the teaching of investigational science, in particular, needs improvement. Typical strengths lie in the sharing of the aims of the lessons with pupils and the positive relationships between adults and learners. Lessons are mostly brisk, purposeful and engage pupils’ interest by including a mixture of practical activities and written tasks. Pupils’ work is always marked but the approach is inconsistent. Where standards are highest, for example in English, marking is very effective, acknowledging what has been done well and how the pupils can improve, often involving the pupils themselves in the evaluation of their own work. However, this good practice does not yet extend to mathematics and science. Pupils have good opportunities to practise their basic

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Grade: 3

skills of literacy and numeracy in other subjects but this is not the case with computing skills.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory and is planned to meet the needs of pupils of different levels of attainment. In recognition of this, the school was awarded the local authority’s Inclusion Gold Mark. Provision for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is very well organised. Pupils say they especially enjoy learning to be young scientists, using their library skills and the processes of designing and making. Good attention is paid to pupils’ personal and social development. For example, pupils have a good understanding of healthy diets and lifestyles. The curriculum is well enriched by visits out of school, experts coming into school and an annual residential visit. The provision of activities out of school hours is interesting but not extensive.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support of pupils are good. Child protection arrangements are comprehensive and the provision for vulnerable pupils is exemplary. Their needs are constantly assessed. Counselling for pupils is provided together with a support service for families and extremely close links with outside professional agencies. This is part of the school’s drive to be inclusive and reduce the impact of factors that might be obstacles to learning. Health and safety arrangements are effective. Categories of risk are prioritised and minimised, and the pupils themselves are involved, which helps them to develop an awareness of safety issues. Pupils consider staff approachable and effective in dealing with situations in which they feel uncomfortable. They value the opportunities they have to discuss issues in circle times or to record concerns discretely in their learning logs. The class teachers monitor their pupils’ progress very effectively

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Grade: 2

4 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 2006 and set personal targets for them in English and mathematics. This guidance is much valued by the pupils who refer constantly to their detailed targets, which are well-thumbed and dog-eared.

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory overall. The headteacher, effectively supported by the new senior leadership team, provides good leadership. The school’s evaluation of its effectiveness is more generous than that of the inspectors. This is because the school’s judgements tend to concentrate more on the quality of provision rather than outcomes, such as pupils’ achievement. Nevertheless, the school has effectively identified what needs to be improved in its development planning and has already made some important improvements in management. These include better monitoring of the school’s work, improved tracking of pupils’ progress and higher expectations of what pupils can achieve. Although there has not yet been enough time to see the impact of the improvements on national test results, pupils are now making better progress. These improvements show that the school has the potential for further improvement.

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Grade: 3

The school runs efficiently. There is a strong sense of pride and determination amongst the staff. Administration, maintenance and catering are all of a high standard. Financial control is very effective, providing a stimulating and comfortable learning environment together with high quality resources. The school’s governance is satisfactory. The governors are a well informed and supportive group who have a good range of expertise. They are well led by their Chair and Vice-Chair and have a sound working knowledge of the school. They are keen to develop their role in monitoring and evaluating the school’s work further. All statutory requirements are met and governors ensure that all pupils are fully included in all that the school has to offer. 5 Inspection Report: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 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: All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, Hessle, 6 June 2006 to 7 June 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 NA 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 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 2 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 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 3 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

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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

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0207 421 6800 F 0207 421 6707 Ofsted helpline 08456 404045 The School Council All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School Hessle Northolme Road Hessle HU13 9JD 6 June 2006 Dear Pupils Thank you for welcoming me and my two colleagues to your school to carry out the inspection. You gave us some very good help and, in return, I would like to share the report with you. All Saints is a very welcoming school. Your attitudes and behaviour are good and you take good care of each other. You enjoy your lessons and work hard. Well done; you are a credit to your school and families. The headteacher and staff work very hard to make sure you are safe and happy. It is good to see the respect between you and the adults who teach you, and we know that you enjoy your teachers’ sense of humour. Your parents are also very pleased with all that the school offers. Over the last few years, you have been achieving better results in your tests. We agree with

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

your teachers that you can do even better, especially in science, so we have asked them to help you do so. We know how much you enjoy your lessons and are sure that you will be eager to rise to these new challenges. You have improved your work with computers and now we think you could use your skills more often in lessons. We were impressed with the way your work is marked, how you follow your teachers’ suggestions on how to improve in English and the way you check your own work in that subject. It would be good to see the same systems for mathematics and science so that you can be more involved in your own learning in those subjects too. Thank you once again for your friendly welcome. There is a great deal about your school of which you and the staff should be proud. Please accept my best wishes for the future. Yours faithfully Mrs L Read Lead Inspector

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