St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School

Inspection Report St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School

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119610 Unique Reference Number Lancashire LEA 280610 Inspection number 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 Inspection dates Mr Dave Byrne Reporting inspector

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

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St Ignatius' Square School address Primary Type of school Preston Voluntary aided School category Lancashire, PR1 1TT 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01772 555252 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01772 254834 Fax number 158 Number on roll Mr Richard Ainscough Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Adrienne Delaney Headteacher 4 December 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280610 17 January 2006 - 4 to 11 18 January 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

This is a smaller than average school that serves an area with high levels of social disadvantage. The children’s attainment when they start school in Reception is well below average. A broad mix of ethnic backgrounds is represented and over three quarters of children live in homes where English is not the first language. Around 10% of children are from Traveller backgrounds. A high number of children have learning and behavioural difficulties. Above average proportions of pupils start and leave school at times other than expected.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school that successfully educates children from a diverse range of backgrounds and educational need. As a result of good teaching and strong, caring management, children achieve well after starting school with attainment that is well below average. Satisfactory provision in the Reception class gives children a secure start whilst in Years 1 to 6 learning accelerates and children make good progress. They achieve particularly well in speaking, reading and science but better use could be made of writing and information and communication technology (ICT) in all subjects. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very good and racial harmony is excellent. Children love their lessons and, with the exception of some groups of children who take extended leave for cultural reasons, attend school regularly. Children are safe and secure in school and benefit from good support for their personal

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Grade: 2

development. There are particular strengths in the support for children with English as an additional language (EAL) and those with learning and emotional difficulties which contribute to their good achievement. The school is held in high regard by parents, who value the level of communication they receive and the warm, welcoming family atmosphere. The school has experienced many changes since the last inspection and has improved satisfactorily since then. Standards are improving rapidly and given the current management and staffing, the school is well placed to continue to improve. It gives good value for money. not applicable

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What the school should do to improve further

• Increase pupils’ progress and standards in information and communication technology. • Raise standards in writing in all subjects across the curriculum.

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Grade: 2

Although children’s achievement is good overall, standards at the end of Year 6 are just below average. After starting school with standards that are well below average, a steady start is made in the Reception class. In Years 1 to 6 children make good progress. They do particularly well in improving their speaking and reading skills which is a key factor in the good achievement of children with EAL and those with learning and behavioural difficulties. The attainment of Traveller children is depressed by extended leave from school but their attainment is still similar to other pupils. Boys tend to do better than girls across the school. Since 2003 standards have rapidly improved. In 2005, the proportion of Year 6 children gaining the expected level was broadly in line with the national average in English, above it in science but just below in mathematics. Only a few pupils however exceeded expectations by achieving the

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Grade: 2

higher level in English or mathematics, which was below the national average. At the end of Year 2, children do well to gain average standards in reading and mathematics 2 Inspection Report: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 but standards in writing are below average. Across the school, the use of writing and ICT to support learning is below expectations.

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Grade: 2

Inspectors judged pupils’ personal development and well-being to be good. This contradicts the more modest judgement made by the school. Children say learning is ‘fun’ and that they feel valued as people regardless of their culture, religion or gender. Even though school is very popular among pupils, the rate of absence is high, mainly because of extended leave taken by some children for cultural reasons. Children have positive attitudes to schoolwork, behave well and get on well with each other. There are few instances of racism and children state that arguments or bullying are very rare. Children influence aspects of school life through the school council where their views are taken seriously. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very good. Children celebrate the variety of religious and cultural backgrounds among them and have an outstanding level of respect for others. This is a particular strength of the

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Grade: 2

school, which contributes very positively to the calm, harmonious atmosphere within it. Children know about safe and healthy life choices and like to join in with sporting activities to contribute to their fitness. Their understanding of working together is good and older children show their sensitivity to the needs of younger ones by helping them in the dining hall and the playground. Links with local places of worship of all religions, charity fund raising and visits to elderly residents help to give children a good awareness of the diversity of their local community. Children are satisfactorily prepared for their economic well-being.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good overall. This is better than the school’s judgement of satisfactory. Teachers and support staff show high levels of commitment to their job beyond what is usually found. They believe in the children and work tirelessly as a very close team to meet the diverse range of needs. Children are never bored and therefore enjoy lessons. They respond with great enthusiasm to lively and exciting lessons that are well planned to meet the needs of everyone. Literacy and numeracy are taught well with high, and increasing, expectations for pupils. Not enough use, however, is made of writing to support learning in all subjects. Weakness in resources reduces the chance for ICT to be taught, an issue that the school is in the process of resolving. Teachers have the respect of children and parents alike. Wherever possible, recognition is made of the cultural diversity within each class, for example

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Grade: 2

by studying features of life in Asian communities. As a result, children feel valued and involved in their learning. Assessment is used very well to make sure pupils are given suitably challenging work. Children like the way that the purpose of every lesson is shared with them. As a result, they have a good understanding of what they need to 3 Inspection Report: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 do to improve. Good links with parents through termly reports on their children’s progress and the wise use of homework, add to the quality of children’s learning in school.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory. Even though all statutory requirements are met, not enough is done to maximise the children’s use of ICT and writing to support their learning in other subjects. Good provision is made for pupils with EAL and for those who have learning and behavioural difficulties and the provision for English, mathematics and science is good overall. In the reception class, children receive a satisfactory range of suitable activities but limitations of the accommodation reduce opportunities for learning outdoors. The programme for personal, social and health education effectively promotes pupils’ personal development and citizenship and awareness of healthy and safe lifestyles. A satisfactory range of visits and visitors enrich the curriculum, but while pupils speak enthusiastically about their involvement in school sports and science clubs, they would like more after school events to develop

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Grade: 2

This is an area of strength in the school and is good overall. All child protection, health, safety and other risk assessments work well. Children state that their school is a ‘happy, wonderful place to be’ and feel safe and secure. Children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties are very ably supported by a skilled learning mentor who also works hard to minimise absence. Outstanding quality of guidance and support for Traveller children and those with EAL makes sure that children make good gains from their education. Effective support, particularly by teaching assistants, results in children with learning and physical difficulties making good progress towards their individual targets. Strong links with education and health professionals successfully provide specialist advice where necessary. Children are closely involved in assessing and evaluating their academic achievements. They confidently talk about what they need

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Grade: 2

to improve and this is a key factor in the children’s good progress.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management of the school are good and directly responsible for the good academic achievement and personal development. The headteacher and the acting deputy headteacher have been in post for less than two years. In this time they have created a very strong ethos that values the individuality of staff and children and celebrates the cultural and religious diversity within the community. High levels of inclusion are achieved through the outstanding management of the provision for children with EAL and good management for Traveller children and those with learning 4 Inspection Report: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 2006 and behavioural difficulties. The school evaluates itself well. All available information, including assessment data, is used to identify areas it needs to improve. These are incorporated into a realistic but ambitious school improvement plan. The management

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Grade: 2

of English and mathematics is good but in ICT it has not been effective in recent years and is an issue recognised by the school. The governing body is very supportive of the school and has played a crucial role in its recent improvement and is currently working hard to maintain its financial viability. Given the strength of the current management team, the school has a good capacity for continued improvement. 5 Inspection Report: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 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: St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School, 17 January 2006 to 18 January 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 3 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 3 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 4 The attendance of learners NA 1 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 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 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 St Ignatius' Catholic Primary School St Ignatius' Square Preston Lancashire PR1 1TT 17 January 2006 Dear children It was a pleasure to join you for two days. We enjoyed talking with you and sharing some of your lessons. There are many things in your school that we think are good. It is impressive the way that you all get on together and do your best to help others. In lessons, you work hard and seem to enjoy learning new ideas and skills. We feel that you are doing well in your studies but we have asked the school to do more to help you to improve your writing and skills of using information and communication technology. It was very pleasing to find in discussions with you, that you really like school and feel part of all that goes on in it. A lasting memory of your school will be the way that even though there are different religions

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

and cultures, everyone seems to treat each other equally and fairly. In fact, you have a better understanding of other cultures than many other children of your age. Your school is not good by accident. It is because of the hard work and care of your headteacher, teachers and support staff. They work very hard to give you a good start to life. The school also does a lot to tell your parents and carers about what goes on in the school. Their support is important and is a vital part of the school’s success. We wish you every happiness and success for the future. If you continue to treat others as thoughtfully as you do now, you will be happy and successful in life, but remember, you can always do better! Yours faithfully David Byrne and Doreen Davenport (Your school inspectors)

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