Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School

Inspection Report Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School

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118625 Unique Reference Number Kent LEA 280359 Inspection number 19 June 2006 to 20 June 2006 Inspection dates Martin James AI Reporting inspector

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

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Douglas Road School address Junior Type of school Maidstone Voluntary controlled School category Kent ME16 8ER 7 to 11 Age range of pupils 01622 751502 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01622 685004 Fax number 170 Number on roll Fr Paul Gibbons Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Kathy Spencer Headteacher 20 November 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280359 19 June 2006 - 7 to 11 20 June 2006 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is situated near the centre of Maidstone. The school is smaller than the average primary school. Attainment on entry varies from year to year, with the current Year 6 pupils having been just below average on entry. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is above average. The majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is above average. The headteacher was appointed in an acting capacity in January 2006. She was appointed permanently three weeks before the inspection.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 June 2006

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Grade: 4

In accordance with section 13 (3) of the Education Act 2005, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires significant improvement, because it is performing significantly less well than in all circumstances it could reasonably be expected to perform. The school is therefore given a Notice to Improve. Significant improvement is required in relation to teaching and the pupils’ achievement. The school judges its effectiveness to be satisfactory. However, the inspection judges it to be inadequate because many pupils do not do well enough in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. Improvement since the previous inspection, in relation to raising standards in English and mathematics, is unsatisfactory, and the school does not currently provide value for money. Teaching and learning are inadequate because the assessment of pupils’ work and the tracking of pupils’ progress are ineffective. Teachers do not use information well

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Grade: 4

enough to provide pupils, especially the higher attainers, with challenging work. As a result, these pupils underachieve. The work provided for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is more suited to their needs, and their achievement is satisfactory. Pupils’ personal development is satisfactory. Most pupils behave well and contribute positively to the school and local community. Aspects of the pastoral care of pupils are good, and most pupils like school. The curriculum benefits from an outstanding range of extra-curricular activities. Leadership and management are satisfactory, and those of the new headteacher are good. Since her appointment, she has worked hard with staff, governors and representatives of the local authority, to identify what needs to be done to help pupils reach their potential. There is now a shared determination at all levels to improve the school, especially in relation to improving pupils’ achievement. However, everyone

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Grade: 4

realises that there is much more to be done, and the school has clearly recognised appropriate priorities for improvement. Professional support has identified ways to improve teaching, and senior staff are currently developing their monitoring and evaluation roles. These all now need further strengthening in order to raise pupils’ achievement. Inspection findings of ‘green shoots’ of improvement, and a willingness and dedication on behalf of staff, confirm that the school has the capacity to improve further.

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What the school should do to improve further

•improve teaching by making better use of assessment information to provide pupils with more challenging tasks •improve procedures for tracking pupils’ progress to identify more carefully where they are likely to underachieve •increase the effectiveness of senior managers and subject leaders in monitoring and improving the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement. 2 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 June 2006

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Grade: 4

Pupils’ attainment on entry to the school varies. In 2005, the pupils in Year 6 attained broadly as expected on entry, whilst the current Year 6 were just below average. In 2005, standards at the end of Year 6 were below average in English, mathematics and science, and the inspection shows that this is also the position this year. There are weaknesses in particular in pupils’ writing skills, in their ability to tackle problem-solving activities in mathematics and in their understanding and use of scientific terminology. A significant number of these pupils underachieve, taking account of their starting points and capabilities. They are not reaching their targets. Assessment information is not used well enough to set challenging work for higher-attaining pupils and teachers do not have high enough expectations of them. For example, the majority of pupils who have the potential to reach Level 5 (the higher level) in the national tests for

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Grade: 4

eleven-year-olds fail to do so. Pupils who have learning difficulties or disabilities make satisfactory progress towards meeting their targets. They are assessed well, are given work that suits their needs and they are given well-directed support by both teachers and teaching assistants.

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Grade: 3

Pupils’ personal development and well-being are satisfactory. Pupils behave well, they have positive attitudes to work and they generally stay on task, even when lessons are not very stimulating. Attendance is satisfactory, and most pupils enjoy coming to school. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is satisfactory. Pupils celebrate and learn about cultural diversity through activities such as a local multi-cultural festival and a visit to a mosque. Clubs, such as the school choir, successfully promote pupils’ social development. The school has a strong Christian ethos, and good use is made of assemblies to support pupils’ spiritual development. Pupils are careful to carry out all school activities safely, for example when taking part in physical education, and they are aware of the need to adopt a healthy diet, such as eating healthy foods and taking regular exercise. The school council ensures that pupils have a say in the

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Grade: 3

school, and members like the fact that they get the opportunity to express their views. They are very pleased with their involvement in the redecoration of the toilets. Pupils have satisfactory opportunities to take on responsibilities, for example by helping each other to solve their problems and by Year 6 pupils acting as monitors. These activities help to equip pupils with skills they will need in later life. However, the standards being produced by pupils in English and mathematics do not yet contribute adequately towards their future economic well-being. 3 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 June 2006

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Grade: 4

Teaching and learning are inadequate, with the result that many pupils underachieve. Teachers plan lessons satisfactorily and have good relationships with their pupils. This ensures that pupils behave well and have good attitudes to their learning. Teaching assistants work well alongside their colleagues. However, assessment is not used well enough to match work to many pupils’ individual learning needs. As a result, these pupils, especially higher attainers, are not fully challenged in lessons, so that in those lessons, and also over time, they do not achieve as well as they should. Although marking is undertaken, there are too few helpful comments or suggestions for improvement to help pupils develop their learning further. Presentation of much work is untidy, and in some cases shows a deterioration over the year. In the lessons seen during the inspection, there were some good aspects. For example,

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Grade: 4

teachers’ good subject knowledge in a music and a science lesson engaged the pupils’ interest and enabled them to make good progress. Additionally, pupils were challenged by the teachers’ good questioning. Sound support is given to pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities, and the work provided for them is better suited to their needs. As a result, they make satisfactory progress towards their targets.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory. There is satisfactory provision for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities, with clear education plans, and group work to support reading. This enables them to make sound, and sometimes good, progress. There is secure planning in place to cover all areas of the curriculum, and personal, social and health education supports personal development well. Pupils know about safe use of apparatus in science and physical education, and they are made aware of the need to follow a healthy lifestyle. However, provision for literacy and numeracy is not ensuring that pupils make enough progress in those subject areas. There are excellent opportunities for enrichment, which pupils really enjoy and which they support in high numbers. They are delighted with the range of after-school clubs, which cover a wide variety of interests and include a good number of sports clubs. Year 6 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Swanage where they were involved in

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Grade: 3

teamworking and orienteering. A trip to see HMS Belfast was also much enjoyed.

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Grade: 3

Care, support and guidance are satisfactory. The school provides a welcoming and supportive environment where pupils are confident to approach staff if they are worried. Pupils say that there is little bullying, and if it occurs it is dealt with well. They say 4 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 June 2006 behaviour is much better than it was. Child protection procedures are fully in place; staff are trained and fully aware of their role. Outside agencies are used well to support regular attendance, and give support and advice to help the school fully meet the range of pupils’ needs. There is good provision for vulnerable pupils, including transfer to secondary school. Through the provision of physical education, clear information on sun care and healthy foods, and after-school sports clubs, the school ensures that pupils have an active and healthy lifestyle.

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Grade: 3

Teachers mark pupils’ work, but rarely add comments or advice. Pupils also have targets for improving their work. However, discussions with pupils show that they are not always clear enough about what they need to do to make their work better.

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory. However, those of the new headteacher are good. On appointment, she perceptively identified weaknesses in the school, recognising, too, that not enough had been done to address the issues raised at the last inspection. Through improved school self-evaluation processes and sharply focused improvement planning, she has helped other staff to have a clear understanding of the school’s priorities. In particular, she worked closely with subject leaders to produce a demonstrable improvement in their management of their subjects, especially in relation to the need to identify, and start eradicating, underachievement amongst pupils. Although it is too soon for this to have improved standards, it has had a positive impact on pupils’ attitudes to learning and their behaviour. Improved performance management systems are also helping all staff to better understand their roles and

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Grade: 3

responsibilities. The school knows there is still more to do. In the past, senior staff and subject leaders have not had enough professional support and training to help them carry out their leadership and management responsibilities effectively. Through the new headteacher’s strong leadership, they are improving their skills in monitoring and evaluation, to help analyse standards and to recognise gaps in learning. However, their expertise in the use of data to identify underachievement still requires further development, to ensure that all pupils are progressing at least satisfactorily. The school has built strong links with the church and the neighbouring infant school. The school also regularly obtains the views of both parents and pupils, and these are taken into account when decisions are being taken, for example about school uniform. Governance is now satisfactory. Governors recognise that they have not always been

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Grade: 3

challenging enough of the school, especially in relation to standards and achievement. However, they are clearly aware that there has been a problem with underachievement, and they are fully supportive of the headteacher in her drive towards improvement. The demonstrable improvements in self-evaluation, school improvement planning and pupils’ behaviour indicate that the school has sufficient capacity to improve further. 5 Inspection Report: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 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: Maidstone, St Michael's Church of England Junior School, 19 June 2006 to 20 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 3 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 No Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

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Achievement and standards

NA 4 How well do learners achieve? NA 3 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 4 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 3 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 3 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 3 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community NA 4 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 3 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 4 How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets, through quality assurance and self-review NA 4 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can NA 4 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

Dear Pupils Thank you for making us so welcome when we came to visit your school this week. We enjoyed talking to you, and I know that my colleague enjoyed speaking with the School Council in particular. I am writing to tell you what we found out about your school, what we think is good and what we think needs to be made better. Here are some of the highlights: •most of you behave well, and help to make the school a happy place •you are sensible about making decisions on how to improve your school •you really enjoy the different clubs and outings that the school provides •your headteacher, teachers and teaching assistants care about you and look after you •you know all about how important it is to eat healthy food and to take exercise. However, we think that many of you do not do as well as you could with your work, and so we have given the school something called a Notice to Improve. We have asked the school to:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

•keep a careful check on your progress to make sure that you learn as well as you can, especially in English, mathematics and science •give you work that makes you think hard, and that you do not find too easy •look closely at how you are being taught to make sure you are doing as well as you can in lessons We are sure that you will help your teachers by working hard and trying to do your very best. Have a lovely summer holiday. Best wishes, Martin James Lead Inspector

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