St James CofE Aided Primary School

Inspection Report St James CofE Aided Primary School

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125176 Unique Reference Number Surrey LEA LEA 281910 Inspection number 18 May 2006 to 19 May 2006 Inspection dates Rob Crompton AI Reporting inspector

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

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Thursley Road School address Primary Type of school Elstead Voluntary aided School category Godalming GU8 6DH 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01252 703248 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01252 702945 Fax number 160 Number on roll Rev William Lang Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Ann Tann Headteacher 27 September 1999 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 281910 18 May 2006 - 4 to 11 19 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Most pupils in this village school are White British with about ten per cent from Black and Asian backgrounds. Twelve pupils have English as an additional language, five of whom are at an early stage of learning English. Children enter the school with average attainment. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is more than in most schools. Half of the teaching staff are new since September 2005.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 May 2006

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Grade: 2

Inspectors agree with the school's accurate evaluation; this is a good school where pupils achieve well and it provides good value for money. Pupils enjoy school very much and this is reflected in good attendance rates. Their behaviour, attitudes to learning and personal development are excellent. Pupils are extremely well cared for and supported by skilled support staff and teachers. There is good provision in the Foundation Stage and reception children make good progress in all areas of learning and achieve standards that are in line with expected levels. Throughout the school, the teaching is good and so pupils make good progress. Consequently, from average starting points they attain standards which are above average in English and mathematics and are high in science. Teachers make good use of assessment data to track pupils' performance, and very good provision is made for pupils with learning difficulties. More able pupils do well, particularly in science, where

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Grade: 2

a large proportion reaches the higher levels. Although improving, a lower proportion achieves such levels in English and mathematics. The teachers make very good use of the school's extremely strong links with parents and the local community to enhance the quality of the good curriculum. Good leadership, management and governance, guided by the strong leadership of the headteacher have led to good improvement since the last inspection. There is good capacity to keep on improving given the school's track record in raising standards and maintaining good teaching. Parents think very highly of the school. Typical of their comments were, 'We have felt welcome and included from day one', 'They have worked wonders with him' and 'We cannot praise St James' enough'.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Accelerate the progress of more able pupils in English and mathematics

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Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well through the school and reach good standards due to consistently effective teaching coupled with pupils' positive attitudes. Children make good progress in the reception class, particularly in personal, social and emotional development, and this provides a secure base for their subsequent learning. Pupils continue to make good headway in reading, writing and mathematics through Years 1 and 2, reaching above average standards. The pace of learning is sustained during Years 3 to 6 and leads to good standards in English, mathematics and high standards in science by the end of Year 6. Pupils now have a good level of competence in information and communication technology (ICT); an improvement since the last inspection. Pupils with learning difficulties achieve well. They meet their individual targets and many reach the standards expected for their age. Pupils with English as an additional language

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Grade: 2

also make good progress. More able pupils do particularly well in science. Although 2 Inspection Report: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 May 2006 they make good progress in English and mathematics, the level of challenge could be raised even further for a few of these pupils. Overall, however, pupils through the school meet the challenging targets set for them.

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Grade: 1

Pupils are justly proud of their school and contribute very well to the school and the wider community. Members of the school council successfully contributed to pupils' understanding of healthy eating and influenced changes to lunch menus. The recently established 'green team' were equally clear about their role in protecting the environment. Pupils' attitudes are extremely positive and they develop mature social skills and strong moral values. Pupils behave exceptionally well. They enjoy school and attendance levels are good. Pupils' spiritual development is outstanding. When discussing the visit by an English astronaut, they marvelled at his achievement. One said, 'I thought - wow, this person standing in front of us has been into space!' Pupils discussed the work of a visiting sculptor with fascination. One remarked, 'He made a tree into a man!' Pupils have a good understanding of cultural diversity and the artistic and musical traditions from

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Grade: 1

across the world. Pupils understand the need to stay safe and know how to avoid hazards such as busy roads and sharp tools. Pupils' good basic skills and their ability to work cooperatively mean that they are well prepared for moving on to secondary school and for the future.

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Grade: 2

Pupils develop good learning habits because teachers skilfully promote their study skills. In Year 2, for example, pupils are learning to approach problems through different ways of thinking, such as generating ideas before committing to a particular method. Pupils receive good feedback on their work through teachers' careful marking and by commenting on one another's work. They gain a very clear idea of how to improve through individual targets in their workbooks. Teachers derive these through very careful assessment. Close monitoring of pupils' progress enables teachers to set challenging work for different abilities. They plan lessons very carefully and modify them in the light of pupils' responses. Classrooms abound with stimulating displays which promote learning and celebrate pupils' achievements. Teachers use ICT very effectively to support learning and this contributes to pupils' progress across the

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Grade: 2

curriculum. Effective questioning builds on pupils' existing knowledge and understanding and most lessons move at a brisk pace. Support staff make a valuable contribution to lessons but could be further involved in introductions and summaries. Occasionally, introductions are overlong, leaving not enough time for independent work. Overall, however, teaching and learning are good. 3 Inspection Report: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 May 2006

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good and enables pupils to develop literacy, mathematics and computer skills that lay secure foundations for learning. The Foundation Stage is very well organised and includes a good balance of work both indoors and outside. Good links between subjects enhance learning, for example, Year 3 pupils produced writing and artwork inspired by African cultures and stories. Music is strong with good opportunities for pupils to learn to play an instrument. Effective support for pupils with learning difficulties contributes to their good progress and the school is working hard to refine further the English and mathematics programmes in order to meet the needs of pupils more consistently. Pupils enjoy a very good variety of educational visits and after-school clubs. A successful programme of personal, social and health education develops important life skills and increases self-confidence. The recent 'Big

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Grade: 2

Breakfast' event with parents and the community was enjoyed by all, and helped the pupils to learn about healthy eating and lifestyles. Such activities are welcomed by parents; as one said, 'The school provides innovative and interesting opportunities for learning'.

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Grade: 1

Parents are extremely pleased with the care and support provided for their children. One summarised their views with her comment, 'My son loves his school and feels very safe, secure and happy there'. Inspectors agree that this is an excellent aspect of the school's work. Governors and staff undertake robust and systematic health and safety checks. Child protection procedures are secure and there is a good programme of staff training. The school checks pupils' progress carefully and individual learning targets are shared with them so they understand what they need to do next. Targets for more able pupils are being sharpened in order to accelerate their progress further and this is having a positive impact on standards. Assessment information is used well to keep an eye on how different groups, such as boys and girls, are doing. Monitoring and care of pupils with learning difficulties are excellent. Very efficient systems enable staff

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Grade: 1

and parents to review pupils' progress towards individual targets. This excellent partnership contributes much to the success of the school.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. Staff and governors have gained an accurate picture of the effectiveness of the school. The headteacher provides very strong leadership and knows the school well because of rigorous and systematic monitoring of teaching, learning and achievement. She is supported very well by the deputy headteacher and staff and there is a clear sense of collective responsibility and teamwork. Effective subject leadership has led to improved standards since the last inspection. First class management of provision for pupils with learning difficulties 4 Inspection Report: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 May 2006 has led to significant improvement. There have been good improvements to assessment and target-setting, and teachers are refining these further to set even more challenging targets. The school's track record in raising standards demonstrates that it has good

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Grade: 2

capacity to continue doing so. For example, the school has identified ICT as a continuing priority and this has resulted in much improved provision and standards. Governors carry out their roles and responsibilities well. They monitor the school's performance through first hand observation in order to hold the leadership team to account. Staff are well deployed and very good use is made of the building, surrounding grounds and resources to provide a stimulating learning environment. Governors are committed to the school and play a central role in maintaining its extremely strong links with the local community. Together with the staff, they survey parents' and pupils' views to continue improving the school. Parents justifiably hold the school in very high regard. The remark by one parent, 'St James is a fantastic school', typifies the views expressed in the parental questionnaires. 5 Inspection Report: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 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: St James CofE Aided Primary School, 18 May 2006 to 19 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 1 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 2 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 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 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

Children Thank you for making my colleague and me so welcome during our visit. We agree with your opinion that St James is a good school. It is certainly an exciting place to be. Your teachers make lessons as interesting as possible. As you told us, they give you a clear idea about how you are getting on and what you need to do next. It was good to see how well you are learning how to find things out for yourselves, for example, by using the Internet for research. The combination of good teaching and your hard work means that you progress well and reach good standards. Outside the classroom, you have lots of appealing things to do. We were impressed by your enthusiasm for music and with your concern for the environment. It was good to see how extremely well you behave and how much you contribute to school life and activities in the village. Best of luck in the paper boat race! It is clear that you feel safe in the school and get on very well with the adults. This means that

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

you always have someone to turn to if you're concerned about anything. Mrs Tann and the staff do all they can to ensure that you enjoy school and get the most out of it. The smiling faces of the Year 4 and 5 children as they returned from their trip to Swanage showed how much they had enjoyed themselves. The outside areas give you lots of space to play as well as many natural things to study. We're sure that you appreciate all that Mr Sorenson does to help around the school, particularly looking after the swimming pool and the new polytunnel. Your teachers are continually looking for ways to help everyone do as well as they can. We have asked them to think particularly about keeping a close eye on those of you who are particularly good at English and mathematics to see if you can do as well in those subjects as you do in science. This may mean even harder work for some of you but we are sure you will

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

rise to the challenge.With best wishes, Yours sincerely, Rob Crompton Lead inspector

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