English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School

Inspection Report English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School

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118766 Unique Reference Number Medway LEA 280387 Inspection number 15 June 2006 to 16 June 2006 Inspection dates Jacqueline Marshall AI Reporting inspector

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

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Frindsbury Road School address Primary Type of school Strood Voluntary aided School category Rochester, Kent ME2 4JA 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01634 718964 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01634 718964 Fax number 208 Number on roll Mr John Trollope Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Maureen Pearson Headteacher 15 November 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280387 15 June 2006 - 4 to 11 16 June 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

English Martyrs’ is an average-sized Catholic primary school. Attainment on entry to the school is below the expected levels for pupils of the same age. A below average proportion of pupils is eligible for free school meals. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is above the national average overall, with higher proportions in the current Year 2 and Year 6 classes. Most pupils are of White British heritage. A very small number of pupils have English as an additional language.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 June 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good, caring school that provides an effective education for its pupils. The school and the parents agree. Pupils enjoy coming to school, their behaviour and attitudes to learning are good and these aspects of personal development, along with their caring attitudes to one another, contribute significantly to their achievements. Provision in the reception class is good and means children get off to a solid start in their learning from below-average starting points. By the time they enter Year 1 they are reaching the expected levels for their age, and when they leave school at eleven they reach above average standards. All groups of pupils make good progress because teaching is good and work is well matched to pupils’ individual needs. Whilst teachers generally give good support and guidance to help pupils to know what to do next to improve, this is not always consistent. Although the curriculum is good and supports

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Grade: 2

learning well, science has been rightly identified by the school as an area to develop further. Leadership and management of the school are good. Because of the strong leadership of the headteacher and deputy headteacher, all leaders, as well as governors, have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses. As a result, the school has made good progress since the last inspection and has a good capacity to improve further. All leaders and governors contribute to the school’s success, although governors and some subject leaders are aware of the need to become even more involved in checking how well the school is doing. The school gives good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards in science by making better use of assessment to check how well pupils are doing and to plan lessons that challenge all pupils. • Continue to raise achievement through a more consistent approach to marking so that pupils always know exactly what they need to do next in their learning to improve. • Further develop the expertise of the school’s leaders in checking and supporting the work of the school.

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Grade: 2

All pupils achieve well during their time at the school. Their skills and knowledge as they enter school are below the levels expected for their age, particularly in their language skills and knowledge and understanding of the world. They make good progress so that most are in line with national expectations by the start of Year 1. With good teaching and effective checks on pupils’ progress, all groups, regardless of their background or learning difficulties and including the most able, achieve well. This demonstrates steady improvement in the progress made by pupils over the last 2 Inspection Report: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 June 2006 three years, particularly in English. Pupils are currently on track to meet the school’s challenging targets. Good teaching in Years 1 and 2 ensures that pupils achieve well and reached standards slightly above average by the end of Year 2 in 2005. By the time pupils leave the school

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Grade: 2

at eleven they have continued to make good progress to reach above average standards in English and mathematics. Standards in English by the end of Year 6, and the progress pupils made to reach these, were well above expected levels nationally in 2005 as a result of the school’s focus on English, and writing in particular. Whilst standards in science have risen recently, they are not as good as in other subjects and raising these is a current focus for the school.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development is good, a view strongly supported by the vast majority of parents. Pupils behave well and have positive attitudes to learning. The recently introduced school council enables pupils to raise questions and ideas important to them. They respond well to their responsibilities and their ideas have a real impact on school life, for example, installing a “buddy bench” for the playground, and taking their responsibilities seriously by playing with anyone sitting there. Pupils behave safely and have a good understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, with many involved in a wide range of after school activities, including sports. They gain a sound economic understanding through the development of their basic skills and involvement in fundraising for local and national charities. Activities such as the Fair Trade project develop work-based learning, although this aspect is less well

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Grade: 2

developed. The school works hard to improve attendance, which is consistently above the national average. Pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development is strong and is a key factor in their good behaviour and positive relationships. Pupils’ cultural development and understanding of different faiths have improved since the last inspection and are now good because of the focus the school is placing on raising pupils’ awareness on the wider world.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Pupils enjoy lessons and behaviour is good because they have good relationships with adults and find the work interesting. In the best lessons, teachers regularly share with pupils what they need to do next to improve and activities are carefully planned to motivate and engage pupils. Pupils say learning in these lessons is ‘really fun.’ 3 Inspection Report: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 June 2006 All teachers effectively plan activities for pupils’ differing needs and encourage pupils from starting school to become independent learners. Staff are increasingly using information and communication technology (ICT) effectively to enhance learning and motivate pupils further. Effective and challenging questioning encourages pupils to develop their speaking and listening skills, to think about their learning and give reasons for their answers. Occasionally lessons lack some of the pace and rigour that

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Grade: 2

characterise the best practice because teachers are less focused on what exactly pupils need to do next to improve. Whilst the quality of marking is good overall, it is not yet consistently successful in showing pupils the next step in their learning. Teaching assistants effectively support learning of individuals or groups because they know the needs of pupils and adapt their approaches accordingly. Parents are actively encouraged to become involved and support their child’s learning.

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Grade: 2

The school provides a good, enriched curriculum that is planned well. The school has a well considered approach to visits and visitors, which increasingly not only supports classroom learning but fosters pupils’ positive attitudes. A strength of the curriculum is the strong focus on music. Pupils have very good musical skills because of good teacher subject knowledge. They really enjoy performing, such as in the Year 1 class assembly during the inspection and the many other opportunities, including the School Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Staff have received training in the use of ICT so that they can improve further its use to support learning. The curriculum develops pupils’ basic skills well, particularly since the school’s focus on developing writing. However, whilst opportunities to develop pupils’ investigative skills have recently increased, the school recognises that it needs to work on developing

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Grade: 2

the science curriculum even further. Personal, social and health and citizenship education supports pupils’ overall development well. There is a good emphasis placed on learning through first-hand practical experiences in the Reception class. With the use of the outdoor environment, this is being increasingly extended to the Year 1 and 2 classes and opportunities to promote learning through play are being developed further.

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Grade: 2

This is a caring school which welcomes all children, whatever their needs, a view held by the overwhelmingly majority of pupils and parents. Child protection and health and safety procedures are well understood and any pupils who are at risk are quickly identified and supported well. Pupils say that relationships within the school are good: “Everyone knows and gets on with each other.” As a result, acts of bullying or racism are extremely rare. They know who to turn to if necessary and are clear that the incident will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Support for pupils with learning difficulties is well planned and outside agencies and parents are involved effectively. 4 Inspection Report: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 June 2006 Procedures for checking pupils’ progress are effective and the information gained is used well by teachers when planning further work, providing pupils with challenging

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Grade: 2

targets. Though this is particularly well developed in English and is instrumental in raising achievement, it is not yet secure in science. Right from the start, effective support and guidance is given to pupils with learning difficulties, in particular through targeted support, tracking pupils’ progress and liaison with other agencies.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good and have successfully maintained and built upon the school’s overall effectiveness since the last inspection. The headteacher has successfully built a culture of teamwork within the school since her appointment. All leaders, staff, pupils and parents share the head’s clear vision of a school that is constantly striving to improve but where every child is important. The work of the headteacher and deputy headteacher is a strength of the school. They analyse data and monitor teaching regularly to see where it is best and identify what needs to be improved. Consequently they have a clear understanding of the school’s overall effectiveness. They know what is needed to take the school forward and have clearly demonstrated a good capacity to help the school improve further. Whilst not all leaders or governors are as effective yet in checking how well the school is doing,

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Grade: 2

these skills are being steadily developed. Governors are caring, supportive and fulfil their statutory duties. Whilst they participate in the school improvement process, they are aware they need to become more involved in finding out for themselves how well the school is doing. The school regularly seeks and takes into account the views of parents and other stakeholders, resulting in a very large majority responding positively when asked about the effectiveness of their school. 5 Inspection Report: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 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: English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School, 15 June 2006 to 16 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 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 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 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 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

Thank you for talking to us and showing us your work when we visited your school. We are pleased to hear that you really like school and that the grown-ups are very kind and look after you well. We think that they are good at helping you to know just what you have to do to keep safe and healthy. We were happy to hear that there are plenty of things for you to enjoy at playtimes and exciting things to take part in, such as the Art exhibition, many different musical workshops and your various clubs. We think you are very polite to adults and behave well in and around your school! In order to make your learning even better, we have asked the adults at your school to: make sure that teachers are helping you to know how well you are doing, especially in your science make sure that teachers are consistently helping you to know what you need to do to improve your work keep checking exactly what the school does best and what could be better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you again for helping us with our work. Yours sincerely Mrs J Marshall Lead inspector

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