Puttenham CofE Infant School

Inspection Report Puttenham CofE Infant School

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125195 Unique Reference Number Surrey LEA LEA 281913 Inspection number 5 October 2005 to 6 October 2005 Inspection dates Sheila Nolan AI Reporting inspector

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

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School Lane School address Infant Type of school Puttenham Voluntary aided School category Guildford GU3 1AS 4 to 7 Age range of pupils 01483810317 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01483810052 Fax number 99 Number on roll Mrs L Muirhead Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs M L Dyer Headteacher 16 October 2000 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 281913 5 October 2005 - 4 to 7 6 October 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 an additional inspector.

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Description of the school

Puttenham Church of England School is deeply rooted in the surrounding community. The school has celebrated its centenary very recently. This small school is much sought after by local families and remains oversubscribed despite population shifts in the area. The school supports a part-time reception class in some years. Almost all of the pupils are of White British descent. Very few have English as an additional language. A small percentage of pupils has been identified as having special educational needs but none has a Statement of Special Educational Need. Eligibility for free school meals is rare and there is little outward mobility. Over the summer break, the school completed successfully a substantial building and renovation programme without the benefit of a site manager.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 2005

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Grade: 1

Puttenham Church of England School is exceptionally effective and gives very good value for money. The school is very much better than appears from its self-critical and modest evaluation of its work. The in-depth self-evaluation promoted by the outstanding leadership and management is at the heart of the school's success. Governors support and challenge the school very well.Pupils achieve high standards across all areas of the curriculum and make very good progress from a marginally better than average attainment base on joining the school. Test results are in the top five per cent of schools nationally. Consistently good teaching and the high priority given to the care, support and guidance of the pupils are major contributory factors to the school's success. Parental support, high aspiration, and a willingness to contribute to all aspects of school life substantially enhance the quality of education. The school

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Grade: 1

has demonstrated its very strong capacity to improve. Between successive inspections it has made significant progress and retains the intent to be even better. The last inspection found only minor areas for improvement, all of which have been tackled. Standards have continued to rise. Nevertheless, there are some lessons where there are too few adults to ensure all groups can make the very best use of their time. The school lacks sufficient resources for information and communication technology (ICT). Because of its rural location there are few links with schools in contrasting areas and potentially this could hamper pupils' understanding of the wide range of cultural traditions found in Britain today,

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What the school should do to improve further

The school understands very well the steps it must take to sustain success and secure its future development and now should focus on:* extending the support available in lessons so that all groups can always make the best use of their time * improving resources for ICT * extending links with schools in contrasting locations

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Grade: 1

Pupils achieve standards that are much higher than those expected nationally, meeting the very challenging targets set by the school. Consistently good teaching, well-considered interventions to improve writing and a high level of parental support have contributed to the school's academic success over several years. Those pupils joining the school's reception class begin with just above average skills. They make very good progress throughout the Foundation Stage, particularly in early reading and writing skills. In Years 1 and 2, pupils achieve very well and attain well above average test results in reading, writing and mathematics. The provisional test results for 2005 show further improvement on those of the previous year. Pupils sustained their high performance in reading and mathematics. Standards in writing improved substantially. Almost three quarters of the pupils gained the highest test levels available for their

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Grade: 1

age group in reading, writing and mathematics. The very small number of pupils 2 Inspection Report: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 2005 accounts for the apparent gap between the results of boys and girls. Pupils with special educational needs achieve very well because of very good support. The school rightly judges that the few pupils for whom English is an additional language make rapid gains in fluency.

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Grade: 1

Pupils greatly enjoy school with its settled and very happy climate for learning. They attend very regularly and look forward to new discoveries each day. They are eager and confident learners. They take care to react safely around the site and are concerned, for example, that 'stones from the quiet garden should not cause falls'. The pupils benefit from the school's participation in a healthy eating project. Fruit, vegetables and milk are readily appreciated at breaks. Lunches are sensibly balanced. Because of parents' participation in the organic vegetables scheme, pupils are aware of the importance of where food is sourced. Pupils contribute very willingly to their school community. Older pupils nurture new arrivals, especially in the playground. Some report that friends from 'the big class' call to take them to school. Large numbers attend the gardening club, helping to keep the tubs and flower beds in bloom. The

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Grade: 1

school's strong focus on basic skills, matched by wide-ranging opportunities that allow the gifts and talents of individual pupils to flourish provides a solid foundation for future economic well-being.Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Parents and pupils report the school as a harmonious and joyful community with a strong Christian ethos. Assemblies involve pupils creatively in the liturgical cycle of the church. This is well complemented by a wide range of opportunities, including visiting speakers and exciting displays that stimulate the pupils' awareness of other cultures. Theatrical and musical activities, visits and special events such as Africa week, hop picking and local history studies complement the work in lessons. Pupils' behaviour is exceptional. There are only the rarest of minor infringements of the school's high expectations. Very positive relationships between

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Grade: 1

pupils and with adults encourage their sense of right and wrong. They know the 'golden rules' for interacting with each other. Teachers and other adults provide very good models of how to treat each other. The school council provides an effective voice for the pupils so that they take their duties very seriously.

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Grade: 1

The school has rightly evaluated teaching as consistently good and sometimes excellent. Pupils are inspired to learn very well. The best teaching is underpinned by warm relationships, careful attention to the needs of individual pupils, and rigorous planning so that the pupils have a clear understanding of how lessons link together. Pupils of all levels are challenged to extend their thinking. There is a very strong emphasis on developing spoken and written communication skills. The new interactive white boards 3 Inspection Report: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 2005 are used enthusiastically and effectively by teachers to model and demonstrate concepts so that pupils enjoy learning and keenly participate in activities. Learning assistants and volunteers support learning well. However, despite teachers' extensive planning and the assistance of support staff, not all groups in all classes get sufficient attention

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Grade: 1

in every lesson. This sometimes results in missed opportunities to put misunderstandings right immediately. Careful and frequent assessment mechanisms underpin teaching and learning in all subjects. Pupils are carefully tracked against targets and pupils' work is analysed to identify where teaching has not been fully effective. Alternative and additional resources and activities are found to improve perceived weaknesses. Pupils' writing, for example, improved markedly when describing and recording new ventures in pizza making at a local restaurant and 'time in custody' at the local police station.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is effectively planned. In the Foundation Stage, there is a good mix of independent and well-resourced activities as well as teacher-led sessions. Thorough planning enables teachers to meet the needs of pupils in Years 1 and 2. Recent building work has delayed the purchase of new computers. Currently there are too few to provide sufficient access for all pupils. The school recognises this shortcoming and has plans in hand for remedial action and to use ICT resources to boost its work in developing global citizens.The scope of activities beyond the school day includes a sensible choice for the age range: French; gardening; sports and dance. At this early stage of the term, pupils are already able to greet and ask simple questions related to age in French. The school intends to widen pupils' experience further by forming links with an inner city school.The school has excellent links with the local community.

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Grade: 2

Visiting speakers regularly contribute to developing the pupils' communication skills. As a result, speaking and listening have improved as well as the pupils' confidence. The police community support officer is a frequent visitor. Village residents are regular contributors as are members of the parish. There is very good liaison with local nurseries and developing links with the most popular junior school. Partnership master classes are planned to extend gifted pupils.

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Grade: 1

Pupils are cared for exceptionally well. The school rightly judges that care for one another is central to its ethos and a dominant feature in its planning. The needs of individuals are addressed very successfully and pupils are confident learners because of well-focused support both within the classroom and from a range of volunteers. The pupils report that they are fairly treated and are clear as to the sanctions for misdemeanours. Through the school council, they join the staff in forming the behaviour rules for the school and in seeking to maintain the school as 'a very nice place to be'.The majority of parents are content with the information they receive about pupils' progress. Teachers keep accurate records of progress and use this information very 4 Inspection Report: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 2005 effectively to track achievement against challenging targets. Regular formal and

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Grade: 1

informal opportunities are available for parents and teachers to meet, and written reports are clear and helpful. Health and safety routines and risk assessments are fully in place as are child protection procedures. Pupils report that they feel very safe and secure. Systems for First Aid, playtime and lunchtime supervision are well established. Pupils show a high level of responsibility in crossing the road to the village hall and in the use of equipment in the playground.

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Grade: 1

Outstanding leadership and management have been central to the school's continuing improvement over recent years. The dedication of the headteacher and staff has created a safe and happy school that works very well. The strong focus on care and personal development has enhanced the push to drive up standards. The school team strives very hard to keep a reasonable balance in an environment where pupils thrive. There is a strong culture of self-evaluation which is at times too modest. The school's evaluation underestimates its success. The views of parents and pupils are sought and any perceived weaknesses are remedied rapidly. Over two thirds of the parents returned questionnaires. They were overwhelmingly positive. Processes for monitoring achievement are rigorous and used well to pre-empt any likely underachievement. The Investors in People award has rightly recognised the school's commitment to staff

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Grade: 1

development. Lesson monitoring information and data on pupils' performance are linked closely to performance management.Governance is excellent. An outstanding team under a very able chair are actively involved in all aspects of the life of the school. Financial management is robust and good consideration is given to long term management of the budget. Governors strike a happy balance between holding the school to account and not unnecessarily disturbing its smooth day-to-day running. All statutory responsibilities are met. Resources are carefully managed but in this small school there is never enough in the school budget to go round and staffing costs are high. Parents willingly generate additional income. The very committed staff team and volunteer helpers work hard together to overcome challenges occasioned by the lack of a caretaker, particularly during the recent building works. The new accommodation

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Grade: 1

is of great benefit to the school, providing among other things for a dedicated library space. The school gives very good value for money. 5 Inspection Report: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 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: Puttenham CofE Infant School, 5 October 2005 to 6 October 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 1 How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? NA 1 The quality and standards in foundation stage NA 1 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 1 How well do learners achieve? NA 1 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 1 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 1 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 1 The attendance of learners NA 1 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 1 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 1 How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets, through quality assurance and self-review NA 1 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 1 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

Following my visit to your school, I would like to thank you for making me very welcome and for taking care of me so well over the two days. I was very pleased to hear how much you enjoy school and to see how well you work in lessons. I think you go to an exceptionally good school that not only helps you to learn very well, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics, but that also takes very good care of you. There are many other things that are good about your school but I would like to mention especially your teachers and the helpers who encourage you both in lessons and in the interesting clubs. You say that grown-ups listen to your ideas and that they will always help you whatever the reason. You enjoy your fresh fruit, vegetables and milk as well as your appetising meals. You behave very well and are rightly concerned that nobody should have play- time accidents or spoil the quiet garden by removing the stones. It is clear from what you said that you enjoy

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

assemblies and are pleased when you or your friends are rewarded for good work or jobs done. You have done very well in looking after the new children joining your school. They look up to you. They told me how much they liked being looking after. To make sure your school remains as good as it is now, it needs to:* find ways of getting more helpers in some classrooms* make sure you get more computers* help you to make links with children in schools different from your own.

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