Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary School

Inspection Report Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary

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120884 Unique Reference Number NORFOLK LEA LEA 280908 Inspection number 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 Inspection dates Mr. Colin Henderson LI Reporting inspector

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

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School Road School address Primary Type of school PE34 4QZ Community School category 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01945 880405 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01945 881031 Fax number 84 Number on roll Mr.John Day Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs. Carolyn Howard Headteacher 11 December 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 280908 8 March 2006 - 4 to 11 9 March 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 an Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

This is a small school that mainly serves its local village community. It is in an area of significant rural deprivation, although the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is broadly average. Attainment on entry is well below average. The number of pupils with additional learning needs is high. All pupils speak English as their first language. The school has high levels of pupil mobility. The school is in partnership with another local primary school, with one headteacher leading both schools.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006

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Grade: 2

This is a good school that serves its community well and gives good value for money. It is valued highly by parents and pupils. Pupils' achievement is good. Quality and standards in the Foundation Stage are good. Children make a good start in the Reception class because of the effective teaching and the interesting learning activities. This is built on successfully throughout the school as a result of good teaching and pupils' enthusiastic attitudes. From a low starting point on entry to the school, Year 2 pupils attain standards that are below the national average. They make good progress so that by Year 6 pupils attain broadly average standards overall, although those in mathematics are below average due to weaknesses in pupils' basic number skills. The high proportion of pupils with learning difficulties benefits from good support from teachers and teaching assistants and achieve well. Those with particular gifts and

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Grade: 2

talents are encouraged effectively to extend their skills through good links with other local schools. Key factors in the school's success are its caring, family atmosphere, its good partnership with parents and another local school, the strong team of staff and governors and the clear leadership of the headteacher. Pupils are valued and receive good care and support. They are happy in school, behave well and enjoy learning. Effective procedures track and evaluate pupils' achievement carefully, although guidance to help pupils to improve their work is not consistently established. The inspector agrees with the school's self-evaluation of how well it is doing, although the school is now judged to be better than satisfactory as good support has improved teaching. The school has successfully tackled the issues from its last inspection, and, in its good partnership with another local school, is well placed to improve further.

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What the school should do to improve further

- Raise standards in mathematics through improving pupils' basic number skills and understanding. - Use marking and learning targets consistently to ensure that pupils know exactly what they have to do to improve their work.

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Grade: 2

Achievement is good overall. Children in the Foundation Stage achieve well as a result of good teaching and a well-planned curriculum. Some attain expected levels in personal, social and creative development by the time they enter Year 1, although few attain the standards expected in their language and mathematical skills. Pupils in Years 1 and 2 achieve well as a good range of activities is matched closely to their learning needs. By the end of Year 2, standards are below average overall. Most Year 2 pupils attain the level expected for their age, especially in reading, although few attain above expected levels. Pupils continue to achieve well in Years 3 to 6, as a result of their enthusiastic attitudes to work and mostly good teaching. Their good achievement is shown clearly in the effective tracking procedures, especially those pupils who started in Reception. Standards at the end of Year 6, as reflected in the national tests, vary

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Grade: 2

2 Inspection Report: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 significantly due to the small numbers of pupils involved and the very high levels of pupil mobility. Standards are broadly average overall, although have dipped recently due to the increasingly high proportion of pupils who find learning difficult. Standards in mathematics are below average as weaknesses in pupils' number skills limit their attainment. The school did not achieve its target in the 2005 Year 6 tests in English and mathematics. It is likely to attain its 2006 target, although this is below average as nearly two out of every three pupils in the current Year 6 have learning difficulties. These pupils benefit from good teaching and support. They achieve well although most will not attain the nationally expected level. Attainment in art and design is outstanding as a result of excellent teaching stimulating pupils' enthusiasm. Standards

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Grade: 2

in information and communication technology (ICT) have improved to expected levels as a result of greatly improved resources and better staff subject knowledge.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development and well-being are promoted successfully by a caring, family atmosphere that is reflected clearly in every aspect of school life. Relationships are good as pupils are effectively taught to value and respect each other. Their enjoyment of school is shown clearly in their positive approach to learning and their good behaviour. The very few incidents of bullying or racial harassment are effectively dealt with. Attendance is satisfactory. Older pupils take on responsibilities willingly, for example, acting as buddies to Reception children. Pupils have a good understanding of safe and healthy lifestyles and are involved in a good range of sports. The school council gives them an effective voice in helping to improve the school. The spiritual, moral, social, cultural and physical development of pupils is good. All aspects are taught effectively through a rich and varied curriculum which is enhanced effectively

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Grade: 2

by well attended out-of-school activities, educational visits and specialist visitors to the school. There is good emphasis on cultural diversity through learning about different religions, music, art and links with a school in Ghana. Pupils' economic awareness is developed very effectively through links with local businesses and their involvement in the Family Work project.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good overall. Teachers use their good knowledge of their pupils to provide interesting lessons that match the different learning needs. They use a good range of different teaching methods and manage their classes well to ensure that pupils stay focused on their learning. As a result, pupils enjoy their work and are keen to learn. Many speak highly of their teachers and say that lessons are fun. Most teachers have high expectations of pupils' work, although this is not always consistent. As a result, some older pupils do not always present their work as accurately as they should and this limits standards. Teachers are supported very well by skilled 3 Inspection Report: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 teaching assistants and provide effective guidance, especially to pupils who find learning hard. Teachers use questions well to encourage pupils to contribute their

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Grade: 2

ideas, although, in some lessons, more able pupils could be stretched further by being asked more complex questions. Teachers use effective assessment procedures to check on pupils' learning and to guide their teaching. Most teachers mark pupils' work well showing clear points for improvement. Some use improvement targets successfully to raise pupils' achievement, although these are not sufficiently effective in each class to help pupils have a clear understanding of what they specifically need to improve.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good throughout the school. It provides pupils with a good balance of basic skills teaching and opportunities for creative, practical activities that make learning enjoyable. Art has a high profile in the school which is clearly reflected in the attractive display of work. Pupils use their ICT skills effectively in a broad range of subjects, although their literacy skills are not so consistently extended. The curriculum is varied to meet the needs of pupils with learning difficulties and links with local schools provide good opportunities for gifted and talented pupils, for example in science, to extend their skills successfully. The school makes good use of visits and visitors. Pupils enjoy taking part in the many additional activities offered by the school. For example, it has worked very successfully with the extended schools' programme to provide extra activities for pupils and their parents, such as art classes.

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Grade: 2

Teachers and support staff know the pupils very well and provide good care and support that are valued highly by parents and pupils. There are very secure systems for ensuring pupils' safety, for example, in child protection and the vetting of adults who work in the school. Pupils say that they feel safe and happy and that the few incidents of bullying or harassment are quickly resolved. Pupils with learning difficulties receive strong support and links with appropriate external agencies are close. Induction procedures for children entering the Reception class are good and help them to settle well. Those for transferring Year 6 pupils to local high schools are good and ensure that the transition of pupils from one school to another is unthreatening. Teachers monitor pupils' academic development closely. They inform them regularly on their level of attainment, although guidance on improving standards of work is not

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Grade: 2

The leadership and management are good. The headteacher provides effective leadership. She has a strong sense of purpose to improve the school and a clear vision to extend its services into the community. Her successful management has established 4 Inspection Report: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 2006 a strong team approach in which staff and parents work effectively together to improve pupils' learning. Parents value the team approach, reflected in such comments as 'run and managed by a fantastic team of teaching and non-teaching staff'. This strong team allows the school to continue to be effective when the headteacher is at its partnership school. Staff know their responsibilities well and carry them out effectively. Most subject leaders have a good understanding of their subject's strengths and areas for development and provide a clear direction for improvement. They benefit from

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Grade: 2

working closely with colleagues in their partner school. A consistent whole school focus has resulted in higher standards, for example, in ICT. Governors work in a successful partnership with the head and her staff and have a good understanding of how well the school is doing and what it needs to improve. Development planning is used well to achieve those improvements. The school uses good systems to check its performance, which include tracking pupils' progress carefully, monitoring teaching and seeking the views of parents and pupils. The effective leadership, together with a strong team of staff and governors and good parental support, puts the school in a good position to improve. 5 Inspection Report: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 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: Tilney St Lawrence Community Primary, 8 March 2006 to 9 March 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 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 3 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 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

Thank you for being so friendly and making me feel welcome when I visited your school recently. I enjoyed talking to you, looking at your work and watching you learn. What I liked most about your school - Your teachers and other adults care about you as individuals, make sure that you are safe and listen to your opinions about school. - You get on well together and are kind to each other. I like the way older pupils are friendly to the younger ones. - You get to school on time and behave well. This means that teachers can get on with the job of helping you learn. - All the adults put a lot of effort into helping you do well and try to make your lessons interesting. You enjoy your work and try hard to do what your teachers ask. I think you learn well. - The school works well with other schools to put on extra activities to help you have fun, like the clubs and trips out of school. I know you enjoy these very much. - Mrs Howard, the

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

teachers and governors who run your school are doing a good job and they want to make your school even better. - Your parents think it is a good school, and I agree. What I have asked the school to do now - Help you to improve your skills and understanding in mathematics. - Help you to know and understand what you need to do to improve your work I hope that you continue to be happy at school and carry on working hard.

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