Crawley Ridge Junior School

Inspection Report Crawley Ridge Junior School

p.1

125076 Unique Reference Number Surrey LEA LEA 281877 Inspection number 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005 Inspection dates Vanessa Ward AI Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Graitney School address Junior Type of school Crawley Ridge Community School category Camberley, Surrey GU15 2AJ 7 to 11 Age range of pupils 0127661144 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01276675700 Fax number 264 Number on roll Dr S Drury Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs C M Wainwright Headteacher 17 January 2000 Date of previous inspection

p.1

Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 281877 12 September 2005 - 7 to 11 13 September 2005 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by three additional inspectors.

p.3

Description of the school

Crawley Ridge Junior School is situated in a prosperous community in Surrey. The school is slightly larger than average in size and is usually oversubscribed. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is low, as is the number of pupils entitled to free school meals. Very few pupils are in the care of the local authority. Approximately a quarter of pupils come from minority ethnic backgrounds. A small number of pupils speak English as an additional language, a few being at the early stages of learning English.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005

p.3

Grade: 2

This is an effective school which provides good value for money. The school's self-evaluation is accurate and is used successfully to bring about improvement. The school has already identified and begun to take action to increase the challenge it provides for higher attaining pupils and to raise boys' achievement in writing. The school has particular strengths in the leadership and management of the headteacher and governors, its use of assessment data and its commitment to the personal development of its pupils. The headteacher leads with conviction to raise achievement and promote the pupils' well-being. The pupils make good progress, the school building effectively on the generally above average attainment of the pupils when they arrive. Teaching is good overall and the involvement of pupils in understanding how well they are doing is very successful. Good care and support is provided for the pupils and this

p.4

Grade: 2

helps them to behave well, to develop positive attitudes to learning and to enjoy being in school. This contributes to the orderly atmosphere in the school. The vast majority of parents express strong support for the school. Since the previous inspection, improvement has been good. The school has made good progress in remedying the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection and in identifying and tackling new initiatives, such as improving the pupils' personal development. This evidence of improvement already achieved, combined with the commitment of the staff and governors, suggest that the school has good capacity to make further improvements.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

To improve further the school should:* Improve the challenge in lessons for the higher attaining pupils across all subjects.* Raise the achievement of boys in writing in all subjects.

p.4

Grade: 2

Achievement is good. Pupils enter the school with better skills in reading, writing and mathematics than those normally found in pupils of this age. The teaching at the school develops and improves these skills so that they make good progress. Since the previous inspection, the school has maintained standards which are above and often well above average in English, mathematics and science.Although the school has relatively few pupils with learning difficulties, the well organised support, which such pupils receive from teachers, support staff and external specialists, means they make good progress. Similarly, pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and those for whom English is an additional language, make good progress. The school sets challenging targets for pupils, based on their previous attainment. Pupils know what their targets are and are involved with teachers and other pupils in deciding if they have met them.

p.4

Grade: 2

Where these targets are not met, the school investigates and takes action. This may apply to individual pupils or to groups. For example, a recent focus on group reading has contributed to improved attainment in reading. Whilst higher attaining pupils 2 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005 achieve good results in national tests, the school has rightly identified that the achievement of these pupils could be increased further across all subjects.

p.4

Grade: 2

The pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. They show concern for the welfare of other pupils. For example, the buddy system, in which pupils in Year 4 befriend newly arrived pupils in Year 3, is greatly valued by pupils. The pupils work collaboratively in pairs and teams. The school council represents the views of pupils and has suggested changes which have been taken up by the school, such as play provision at lunchtimes. Pupils greatly value having extra responsibility and they enjoy helping others. The school promotes spiritual development well both through assemblies and within the curriculum. It celebrates cultural diversity in society in displays and topics and by visits from members of the wider community. Consequently, pupils understand the need to challenge racist attitudes and appreciate the need to respect the beliefs of others. Pupils feel safe in school and are valued by staff. They enjoy

p.5

Grade: 2

being at school, show positive attitudes to learning and behave well. Attendance is above average. The large number of pupils who are eager to participate in the many extra-curricular activities is further evidence that they are happy to be at school. The school emphasises the benefits of having a healthy life-style. Pupils recognise the importance of exercise and eating sensibly. Further work is taking place in this area as the school seeks a Healthy Schools award.

p.5

Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good overall. The school's own assessment of teaching is accurate, and it is rightly working to increase the proportion of good and outstanding teaching. Even at this very early stage in the year, the teachers have established good relationships with their pupils. One feature of the good teaching is that the teachers explain to the pupils what they are to learn, and then help them to evaluate what they have achieved at the end of the lesson. This enables the pupils to understand how well they are doing. The teachers give clear instructions to pupils and this helps them to settle quickly to their work. Pupils in Year 3 worked productively on a complex computer task because the teacher had made very clear what she wanted them to do. The school deploys learning support assistants well and this contributes significantly to the pupils' learning. As the school seeks to improve, it is revising how

p.5

Grade: 2

it plans learning for higher attaining pupils and is reviewing the teaching of writing, especially in relation to boys. Assessment is used effectively to track pupils' progress and, where necessary, extra help is provided to enhance their learning. Teachers use day-to-day assessment information well when planning future lessons. The involvement of pupils in self-assessment at the end of topics is successful in helping them to understand how well they are doing. 3 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005

p.5

Grade: 2

The curriculum covers a wide range of interesting activities and experiences, which help the pupils achieve well. Planning and monitoring of the curriculum has improved since the previous inspection. Regular review of, and adjustments to, the curriculum enhance the success of initiatives, such as raising boys' interest and achievement in reading. The provision for information and communication technology (ICT) has also improved and this means that teachers and pupils have far greater opportunities to use ICT to enhance learning. For example, in one class, pupils developed their ICT skills whilst learning how to present key information about the Countryside Code in clear, bullet point format. The pupils' understanding of how to stay safe and healthy is promoted effectively through the curriculum, especially in science, physical education and personal, social and health education. The school provides an interesting range

p.6

Grade: 2

of after-school activities and visits, which add to pupils' enjoyment and learning during their time at the school.

p.6

Grade: 2

The school is successful in fulfilling its strong commitment to getting to know and supporting all of its pupils. The arrangements to promote good behaviour, improve attendance and encourage pupils to care for each other are effective. Together, these measures mean that the school is a safe and welcoming place, which in turn strongly encourages pupils to achieve well. Teachers provide pupils with clear and effective guidance about their performance and how they can improve. They are concerned with the well-being of each pupil, and monitor their social development. Pupils and parents appreciate this aspect of school life. For example, one parent commented how helpful, informative and caring the staff had been when her child joined the school mid-year. Pupils who may be at risk are identified early and child protection procedures are clear. The school makes effective links with local agencies involved in promoting

p.6

Grade: 2

The headteacher, ably supported by her staff and the governors, has a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school, and of the action required to bring about improvement. Examples of successful improvements include initiatives both to raise achievement in reading and to increase pupils` abilities to solve problems in mathematics. The school development plan is a comprehensive document which is used effectively as a tool for school improvement. Staff and governors are appropriately involved in its production and monitoring. Teaching and learning are monitored regularly and improvements are pursued rigorously through the teachers' professional development. The role of subject leaders has increased significantly since the previous inspection, such that they now have much greater influence over 4 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005

p.6

Grade: 2

developments in their subjects. The governing body has a thorough understanding of the strategic development of the school and governors carry out their roles and responsibilities both effectively and conscientiously. They are diligent in complying with statutory requirements. Good use is made of extended services to enhance the pupils' learning. The school works hard to involve parents in school life and in their children's learning, with the vast majority of parents being supportive of the school. The school works hard and effectively to provide equal opportunities as it strives to help all pupils to achieve as well as they can. Staffing and resources for learning are well considered and their effectiveness appropriately evaluated. Good use is made of the accommodation, which has been enlarged and improved significantly in recent years. 5 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005

p.7

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Crawley Ridge Junior School, 12 September 2005 to 13 September 2005

p.8

Overall

Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.9

learners?

NA 2 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA NA 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

p.9

Achievement and standards

NA 2 How well do learners achieve? NA 2 The standards 1 reached by learners

p.9

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

p.9

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

p.9

needs and interests of learners?

NA 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.9

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.

p.9

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

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

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

As you know, we visited your school recently for two days to see how well you are taught and looked after, and how well you learn. We talked to some of you, and we would like to thank you for making us feel welcome and for talking to us about your school. It was very useful to listen to what you had to say about what you enjoy doing. The things we think are good about your school are:* Your headteacher and teachers are good at finding ways to improve your school so that you learn better and enjoy your work more.* All of the grown ups in school look after each of you so that you feel safe and happy. You told us that you know they will always help you if you are upset or worried. This helps you enjoy being in school.* You also told us that you are pleased that the school listens to your ideas and is prepared to put them into action. Your willingness to take on extra responsibility and to help your school improve shows that you are growing up.* Your teachers collect information

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

about your progress and use this well to give you extra support when you need it. They also help you to understand how well you are doing. We think your school could be even better if:* Those of you who already do well were sometimes given more difficult work.* The boys could improve their written work so that it becomes more interesting and varied.Your teachers know how to make these improvements and have already started to make changes to your lessons. We hope that you will help your teachers as much as you can, so that your learning is made even more enjoyable.

p.11