Tarleton Community Primary School

Inspection Report Tarleton Community Primary School

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119158 Unique Reference Number Lancashire LEA 280475 Inspection number 4 May 2006 to 5 May 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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Hesketh Lane School address Primary Type of school Tarleton Community School category Preston, Lancashire PR4 6AT 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01772 812547 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01772 816298 Fax number 299 Number on roll Ms Helen Dicker Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Angela Fleming Headteacher 1 November 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280475 4 May 2006 - 4 to 11 5 May 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is a larger than average primary school in the village of Tarleton, close to Preston. Most pupils are of white British heritage and a few have African or European heritage. A very small percentage are learning English as an additional language. The percentage claiming free school meals is below average. When they enter the reception class, children’s attainment is about average. The percentage of pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average; however, the number who have statements of special educational need is well above average. The school holds the Basic Skills Quality Mark and is currently working towards the Healthy and Eco Schools awards.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Tarleton Community is a good school with outstanding features. It has a deservedly high reputation and provides good value for money. This judgement is higher than the school’s own cautious evaluation. This gave too much attention to the recent, unavoidable disruptions due to significant staff absence and insufficient credit for the fact that pupils’ progress remains good and standards are higher than average. The headteacher’s outstanding leadership and strong team work among managers are important factors in this success. Good partnerships with parents, other schools and outside agencies enhance the pupils’ learning. Parents’ and pupils’ views are valued and acted on. Teaching is mostly good and results in good learning. Children enter the school with broadly average attainment; they do well in the Reception year and a good number have surpassed nationally expected standards by the start of Year 1. They continue

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Grade: 2

to make good progress in the infants and juniors and pupils attain well above average standards. Pupils’ personal development is outstanding and the systems for care, guidance and support are excellent. The library is now well sited but the stock of books is limited and many are old. Consequently, opportunities for pupils to practise and enhance their library skills are insufficient. Standards and achievement have risen since the previous inspection and good improvements have been made in the other issues identified for development. With such an impressive track record, there is very good capacity for maintaining the school’s strengths and for improving even further.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Continue the drive for excellence by improving the stock of non-fiction library books to help pupils develop their library and research skills. • Regularly share best practice in teaching so that the outstanding practice may become more widespread.

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Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well. Standards are well above average by the end of Years 2 and 6 and progress is good, including that for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. When they enter reception, children’s development is broadly similar to that expected for the age group. They make good progress as independent learners and do especially well in early writing and personal development. By the end of the year, the majority have reached the expected learning goals and a good number have exceeded them. In Years 1 and 2, pupils make good progress in the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics. The 2005 test results for Year 2 were well above average. Work seen and 2 Inspection Report: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 2006 the school’s detailed tracking records show that progress is good in Years 3 to 6, reflected in the well above average standards in the 2005 national tests. This is because

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Grade: 2

teachers’ expectations are high and pupils’ good skills of self-evaluation are raising their own ideas of what they can achieve. More able or talented pupils achieve well because they are identified at an early stage and have the work they need to reach their capabilities. Pupils from minority ethnic groups and those who are learning English as an additional language achieve well.

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Grade: 1

Pupils’ personal development, including their spiritual, social, moral and cultural awareness, is outstanding. Pupils participate with great enthusiasm and confidence in lessons, displaying high levels of concentration. Behaviour is excellent in class and around school. As one pupil said ‘Everyone respects each other here, and the teachers respect the children’. Attendance is above the national average and there is no unauthorised absence. From the reception class to Year 6, pupils relish opportunities to take responsibility, for example as class buddies or prefects. The school council ensures that pupils’ views are noted and considered. One outcome is the setting up of an Eco committee to look at ways of improving the school environment. Pupils know about healthy lifestyles; they enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and take very good advantage of the many sport and fitness activities on offer. Pupils are

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Grade: 1

sensitive to other people’s needs and have a very good awareness of multicultural issues through religious education, assemblies and a special week in which they look at the language, food and customs of other nations. Pupils’ good standards in basic skills and their excellent communication skills ensure that they are very well-equipped for the world beyond school.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good overall and there are some outstanding features. Very stimulating tasks challenge pupils’ thinking so that they develop a keen interest in learning and confidence in solving problems. Information from the very good assessment procedures is used well to build on pupils’ previous learning and to challenge the growing number of those capable of higher attainment. Pupils usually benefit from the very good support provided by well deployed teaching assistants but there are rare occasions when these staff are not used to best advantage. Teachers give very helpful feedback in lessons and through marking, so pupils are well informed about how they can improve. Teaching and learning in the reception class are good. Here, and in Years 1 and 2, the teaching of sounds and letters underpins pupils’ very good progress in reading and writing. Throughout the school, well informed teaching assistants provide good,

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Grade: 2

3 Inspection Report: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 2006 sensitive support for pupils who need extra help so they do well. For example, those who experience difficulties with learning have effective small group sessions tailored to boost their learning. Throughout the school, parents are encouraged to be partners in the learning process and are well informed about what and how their children are taught. Many bring their skills into school to enrich learning as in the much enjoyed gardening sessions.

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Grade: 2

A good curriculum provides well for pupils’ needs and aspirations. An outstanding enrichment programme allows pupils to enjoy a wide range of additional activities, particularly in sport and music. For example, a good number of pupils learn to play an instrument and many enjoy competitive sport. Through organising their own clubs, such as those for chess or dance, pupils develop further interests and responsibility. Careful planning ensures that the needs of pupils in the mixed-age classes are met. The skills of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology are taught well and consolidated through work in other subjects. However, the library does not provide a good enough facility for research or personal study. Teachers take innovative approaches to planning the curriculum that increase pupils’ enjoyment in learning. For example, lessons are often linked to a common theme so pupils learn about topics in depth. Educational visits and visitors also enhance learning

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Grade: 1

The care, support and guidance for pupils are seen as paramount and are outstanding. Governors and staff work hard to ensure that the relevent health and safety policies are in place and are followed systematically and as a result pupils feel safe and well cared for. Child protection procedures are in place and are well understood by all staff. Great care is taken to ensure that pupils enjoy all aspects of school life. For example, an excellent range of well-organised activities is provided to keep them constructively occupied at lunchtimes. There are high expectations of behaviour, relationships are excellent and pupils are confident to approach adults if they experience problems. Pupils’ progress is tracked closely and very good support is provided where needed. All pupils have individual targets for their work in literacy and numeracy; these are very effective in guiding their progress and helping them to evaluate their own

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Grade: 1

successes. Arrangements to help the children to settle into the reception class are excellent and pupils are very well prepared to move on to secondary education. 4 Inspection Report: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good overall. The headteacher provides outstanding leadership which is based firmly on the drive for high achievement. She is highly regarded by parents who value her approachability. The striving for excellence and the caring ethos are shared by all staff who work enthusiastically to ensure that pupils do their best and have equal access to all activities. A very good programme for staff training ensures that all are well informed. Through their very effective evaluation procedures, staff and governors have a clear idea of what needs to be done and have a detailed plan showing what actions are being introduced and planned for the coming years. The system of tracking pupils’ performance and setting targets for attainment in English, mathematics and science is very effective and an important factor behind the improved progress and standards. Finances are well managed to cope with the fluctuating numbers of pupils and staffing

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Grade: 2

changes. The parents and friends of the school raise substantial extra funds. As a result, pupils generally have the benefit of high quality resources except for the library which is identified as needing improvement. The learning environment is very stimulating, administration is highly effective and standards of maintenance and cleanliness are high. These factors reflect a shared sense of pride among all adults at the school. The governors are a very strong, well-informed and highly supportive group. They work closely with the headteacher, staff, pupils and parents in decision making, ensuring that all views are considered. All statutory requirements are met. 5 Inspection Report: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 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: Tarleton Community Primary School, 4 May 2006 to 5 May 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 1 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 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices NA 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles NA 1 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 1 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 1 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

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0207 421 6800 F 0207 421 6707 Ofsted helpline 08456 404045 Tarleton Community Primary School Hesketh Lane Tarleton Preston Lancashire PR4 6AT 5 May 2006 Dear Children Thank you for the warm welcome you gave the inspectors when we recently visited your school. The conversations that we had with you were very interesting and we enjoyed watching you at work. There are lots of things that we think are good at your school. Some of them are: you enjoy the interesting lessons, the good range of extra activities and you work very hard the standard of your learning is higher than in most schools by the end of Year 6 and you are making good progress your behaviour is excellent and you are extremely polite and friendly your teachers take exceptional care to keep you happy and healthy you contribute very well to the running of the school through the many jobs you do, including looking after the garden, and you help to make important decisions through your council

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

members. We noticed some good improvements to your school building and the good quality of equipment that you have. However, we think that the stock of books in your main library is too old. We know that you have reference books in your classrooms which you use in lessons but we think you need more opportunities to practise your library skills. Your teachers agree that this will be a good thing to do. Thank you once again for helping us so much with the inspection. I hope that you will continue to work hard, enjoy your lessons and help make Tarleton Community Primary School an exciting place to be. Yours sincerely Mrs L Read

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