Highfield Community Primary School

Inspection Report Highfield Primary School

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119204 Unique Reference Number Lancashire LEA 280489 Inspection number 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005 Inspection dates Mrs Kathleen McArthur Reporting inspector

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

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Wright Street School address Primary Type of school Chorley Community School category Lancashire, PR6 0SP 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01257 262783 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01257 231819 Fax number 237 Number on roll Mr Justin Bentley Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Sue Cornall Headteacher 1 January 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280489 12 December 2005 - 4 to 11 13 December 2005 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 average sized primary school is situated close to Chorley town centre. It serves an area of some social and economic disadvantage, seen in the higher than average number of pupils who receive free school meals. There is a broad social mix of families and most pupils live close to the school. In recent years, the number of pupils from minority ethnic groups has increased, mostly of Pakistani heritage. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties is just above average and the proportion with a statement of special educational needs is high. When pupils start school, their attainment is below what is typical for their age. The school has faced considerable disruption and high staff turnover during the last four years.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005

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Grade: 3

The school provides a satisfactory education. This confirms the school’s own view of its effectiveness. Children make a good start in the Foundation Stage and progress well. Standards, overall, have risen in recent years and most pupils reach the expected standards by the time they leave the school. Inspectors found that personal development and the way the school cares for pupils are good. The headteacher gives good leadership and is a driving force for improvement. Partnerships with outside agencies and the local children’s centre are used well. Governance is good, and governors know the school well. Parents are happy with the school and pupils say lessons are fun. Pupils say bullying is not tolerated and are confident that any problems are resolved very quickly. Teaching and learning are both satisfactory overall. The curriculum is satisfactory and pupils say they enjoy all activities the school provides.

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Grade: 3

Attendance is below the national average. Previous weaknesses have been overcome although standards in English, mathematics, science and information and communication technology (ICT) still need further improvement. The school has implemented a range of rigorous strategies to achieve this, and to strengthen the relatively new staff team. Good management appointments, strong input from the governing body and improvements to the building have equipped the school with a good basis for further improvement. The school gives satisfactory value for money. not applicable

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What the school should do to improve further

• Continue the drive to raise standards in English, mathematics and science. • Consolidate and strengthen the quality of teaching to ensure all teaching is consistently good. • Develop the systems to improve attendance and punctuality.

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Grade: 3

The school accurately judges achievement and standards to be satisfactory. Children start school with below average attainment. Good teaching and well-planned activities ensure they make good progress, but only a few reach or exceed the goals expected at the end of reception. Pupils continue to make good progress and by age 7 standards match the national average in reading, writing and mathematics. For the older pupils, achievement is satisfactory. Despite the high staff turnover, standards have gradually improved since 2003 and most pupils reach the expected standards in English, mathematics and science by age 11. The 2005 targets in all subjects were exceeded. Pupils performed particularly well in English and results were well above average at the higher level. Pupils with learning difficulties make satisfactory progress through carefully planned learning activities and well informed support from the teaching assistants. Pupils who

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Grade: 3

2 Inspection Report: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005 speak English as an additional language also make satisfactory progress, and the school provides bi-lingual assistance when needed. Girls, who have not performed as well as boys in mathematics and science, are being given extra help. Standards in ICT are just below expected levels, but have improved since the previous inspection.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development is good. They are proud of their school and make the most of all it offers, work hard in lessons and love taking part in events such as drama productions and entertaining the elderly. They enjoy opportunities to take responsibility. The prefects take their duties seriously and are making a difference to the welfare of all pupils. Behaviour, in classrooms and around the school, is nearly always good. Bullying is not tolerated and staff quickly and consistently deal with any small incidents. Pupils mix well, help each other and have trusting relationships with all the adults in the school. Pupils understand the importance of healthy eating and exercise, and know how to stay safe. The school is preparing pupils for the future satisfactorily. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Teachers help pupils to consider different opinions and religions and make sensible decisions. Pupils enjoy

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Grade: 2

the well-chosen novels that help them understand other children's dilemmas and cultures. Attendance is below average, mainly due to the number of pupils who arrive late each morning.

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Grade: 3

Inspectors agree that teaching and learning are satisfactory. Many teachers are new to the school, particularly in the older classes, where staff turnover has caused some disruption to learning. Some good teaching was seen in all key stages during the inspection. All teachers carefully explain to pupils what they will learn in each lesson and review this with them afterwards. Good subject knowledge, planning and lively teaching enabled pupils to make good progress in one literacy lesson. Knowledgeable assessments of pupils ensured they achieved well in a mathematics lesson. In most lessons, pupils have positive attitudes and are keen to learn. Teaching and learning in the Foundation Stage are good, and well focussed adult interventions ensure that children enjoy their learning and make good progress. Pupils have individual and group targets but these, and the new tracking systems, are in the early stages of

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Grade: 3

implementation. Pupils appreciate teachers’ written comments on their work although marking is not used consistently enough to show pupils how to improve. 3 Inspection Report: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005

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Grade: 3

Inspectors agree that the school provides a satisfactory curriculum which is balanced and broad. Better curriculum planning introduced since the previous inspection means that pupils build up their knowledge and skills from year to year. Pupils use their literacy and numeracy skills competently in other subjects, for example, to report science investigations. Considerable improvements have been made in ICT provision and pupils have suitable opportunities to use ICT in all subjects. The Foundation Stage provides a good range of practical and purposeful learning activities, and the children also enjoy learning in the new outdoor area each day. The school offers a limited range of clubs outside lessons, mainly for older pupils. They enjoy attending football and badminton, and are looking forward to a planned residential visit. To enrich their learning experiences, the school has taken pupils to the theatre, a town centre store

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Grade: 3

and the local library. Pupils recently enjoyed performing at a local old peoples’ home and distributing harvest gifts.

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Grade: 2

Pupils are cared for, guided and supported well. Staff know their pupils well, ensure they are all fully included in all activities and are very committed to their welfare. The school is building some very good practice, for example, creating a secure, sensitive atmosphere in personal, social and health education lessons. Pupils say they feel safe and can talk to staff easily. Pupils with special needs and those who require help in a lesson are well supported. Child protection procedures are fully in place and understood by all staff. Risk assessments are thorough and the recent Health and Safety audit recommendations were immediately implemented. Parents are very happy with the school’s good induction procedures, which include home visits. Children settle quickly in school because they receive a caring and friendly welcome. Good links with local secondary schools involve pupils with their next school. The new tracking system, with

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Grade: 2

individual and group targets, informs teachers about exactly how their pupils are progressing. As yet the information is not used to full effect to raise achievement.

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Grade: 3

Inspectors confirm the school’s view that leadership and management is satisfactory overall. The headteacher demonstrates good, skilful leadership. She quickly united all staff, governors and pupils through her strong, clear vision for school improvement. She is supported well by the deputy headteacher and by the senior leadership team. Parents’ views of the school are very positive and they feel the school gives their children a good education. The Foundation Stage is led and managed well, so children make good progress in the safe, friendly environment. Most subject leaders are new to their role and provide satisfactory leadership. With good guidance and support from the head and deputy, they are beginning to contribute to the drive to raise standards. 4 Inspection Report: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005 Good governance, much improved since the previous inspection, makes a strong impact

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Grade: 3

on the work of the school. Governors are well-informed, help to plan for improvement, and challenge decisions confidently yet supportively. Appropriate performance management procedures are fully in place for all staff. The headteacher has introduced rigorous systems to evaluate the school’s performance, which are becoming effective in the drive to raise standards and achievement. The budget is carefully allocated and monitored, and all resources are used well. The school gives satisfactory value for money. It is well placed for further improvement. 5 Inspection Report: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005 .

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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: Highfield Primary School, 12 December 2005 to 13 December 2005

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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 3 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 3 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 4 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 3 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 3 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 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 www.ofsted.gov.uk Ofsted helpline 08456 404045 Highfield Primary School Wright Street Chorley Lancashire PR6 0SP 14 December 2005 Dear Children As you know, three inspectors visited your school this week. You all made us very welcome, and were always polite and friendly when you talked to us. We are glad you enjoy coming to school. We would like you to know the main things we found out. You have a good headteacher who is working hard with you, the staff and the governors to improve your school. You behave well and work hard. You help and care for each other and we know you enjoy learning because the teachers make lessons interesting and fun. Your school has good arrangements to care for you and make sure you are safe and happy in school. We have asked your teachers to look at the following things to make school and your progress better: to find ways of helping you improve in English, mathematics, science and ICT

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

to strengthen their teaching and share the things they do well to work with your parents to make sure you all come to school every day, and arrive in good time each morning. Thank you for all your help with the inspection. We hope you will continue working hard to help make your school an exciting and happy place to learn. Yours sincerely Kathleen McArthur Lead inspector

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