Urchfont Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Urchfont Church of England Primary School

p.1

126366 Unique Reference Number Wiltshire LEA 282099 Inspection number 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 Inspection dates Malcolm Greenhalgh RISP Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Cuckoo Corner School address Primary Type of school Urchfont Voluntary controlled School category Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 4RA 4 to 11 Age range of pupils 01380 840793 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01380 840793 Fax number 107 Number on roll Mr C Watts Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Jackie Holton Headteacher 12 December 2000 Date of previous inspection

p.1

Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 282099 13 October 2005 - 4 to 11 13 October 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 two additional inspectors.

p.3

Description of the school

This is a small school in a picturesque rural area on the edge of the village of Urchfont. Nearly all pupils are White British and there is a very small number of pupils who speak English as an additional language. There are also just a few pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. The social characteristics of the area are advantageous and children enter school with well developed language and social skills.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Urchfont Church of England Primary School, 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

p.3

Grade: 2

This is a good school with some outstanding features. This is better than the view the school has of itself. The headteacher has worked extremely hard since her arrival in 2003 to build up the confidence of staff and pupils following an unsettled period. She has done this successfully. So much so, that despite two teachers on temporary leave, the atmosphere in the school has remained upbeat and positive. The school’s excellent care, guidance and support procedures enable the pupils’ behaviour and relationships to be outstanding. In these areas, the school does not give itself the credit it deserves. Pupils have high levels of confidence and self-esteem which contribute significantly to the good progress they make in English, mathematics and science and the consistently high standards. Children get a good start in Reception and settle quickly into school, showing good levels of confidence in their approach to different activities.

p.4

Grade: 2

The curriculum is stimulating and ensures pupils enjoy school and the quality of teaching is good so that the individual needs of pupils are met well. Teachers could, however, provide pupils with more opportunities to help them to decide what they need to learn next. Leadership and management of the school are good and the excellent vision and planning of the headteacher has established a good position from which the school should improve further. Governors are questioning, challenging and supportive. They help to ensure the school knows itself well, although checking the progress of specific groups of pupils could be better. The school provides good value for money.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

•involve pupils more in identifying what they need to learn next •make a clearer distinction between specific groups of pupils so that their progress is tracked more effectively.

p.4

Grade: 2

Achievement is good. Standards have remained high since the last inspection. Pupils enter school with above average levels of attainment and make good progress in the Reception year, which continues in Years 1 and 2. Standards are above average when pupils enter Year 3 and by the end of Year 6 they are well above average. In English, mathematics and science the pupils make good progress between the end of Year 2 and the end of Year 6. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, and those identified as gifted and talented, make good progress because of the effective additional support they receive and extra opportunities they have throughout the school. The school sets challenging targets for all pupils and more attained and exceeded these last year than in the previous year because of their improving attitudes and better teaching. 2 Inspection Report: Urchfont Church of England Primary School, 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

p.4

Grade: 1

This is an outstanding feature. It is with particular credit to the school that the pupils thoroughly enjoy what they do and one pupil summed this up by saying: ‘I like this school because there are good things to look forward to everyday’. The pupils’ attitudes to learning are excellent and their behaviour in and around the school is exemplary. They show considerable care for each other and older pupils are always keen to help and support younger ones. The influence of the church is effective and contributes well to the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, which is good. Attendance levels are high. Pupils are very aware of safety issues and play carefully on the climbing frames in the playground. In discussions with pupils at lunch time it was very obvious that they know what a healthy diet consists of and why they need physical activity. Pupils are also keen to take on responsibility around the school, for example preparing the hall for

p.5

Grade: 1

assembly. They also have a good understanding of how to help the wider community and raise funds for a range of charities. Their literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills are good. They work well when working together and those on the school council have a worthy influence on school improvement.

p.5

Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Teachers use information about the progress pupils make well, which enables them to plan activities that are matched to the different ages and abilities of pupils in the mixed-age classes. This approach ensures all pupils make good progress throughout the school, particularly in English, mathematics and science. There is, however, insufficient involvement of pupils in their understanding of what they need to learn next. Therefore, they are not always clear about how they can improve their own learning. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, and those that are gifted and talented, receive good additional support. Teaching assistants make good use of their time to support learning or help with classroom organisation. Specialist teachers also make a positive contribution to pupils’ learning in areas such as French, music and physical education. The school involves

p.5

Grade: 2

parents well in their children’s learning and they provide good support in school and at home, following clear guidance the school gives them.

p.5

Grade: 2

The school has worked hard to ensure the curriculum is stimulating and, at the same time, meets all legal requirements. There is a good breadth and balance of subjects provided and this is supplemented by a good range of clubs which are well attended 3 Inspection Report: Urchfont Church of England Primary School, 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 by the pupils. There is a strong personal, social and health education input which has a significant influence on the pupils’ personal development. In addition, the school has special mornings for gifted and talented pupils who meet up with pupils from other local schools. This enables them to become better thinkers and to share their ideas with pupils in their class. The school provides a strong curriculum for the Reception children and ensures that their particular needs are met within the split Reception/Year 1 class.

p.5

Grade: 1

The school provides high quality care and guidance for the pupils’ and for members of staff. This combined and determined approach has ensured an atmosphere that encourages everyone to do their best, to be proud of their individual characters and not to be afraid to make mistakes. The school also provides good support for pupils to do well in subjects and this helps to ensure that good progress is made from Reception through to Year 6. The school is very conscious of health and safety issues and this encourages pupils to be very aware of what they need to do to stay safe and be healthy. The school values partnership with parents and encourages their full involvement. Child protection procedures are well carried out, and support from outside organisations such as the educational psychology service and PASSIS (Physical Sensory and Impairment Service is effectively embraced.

p.6

Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher’s highly effective style of leadership ensures and promotes the well-being and care of all staff and pupils. This key priority has enabled the school to overcome an unsettled time. All members of the school community make a significant contribution to the positive atmosphere that envelops the school. As a result of this, pupils and staff thoroughly enjoy coming to school and have high levels of self-esteem. Getting this right has enabled the school to make fundamental changes in the way lessons are taught and in the way that pupils learn. The governing body has taken an active role in this development. Governors’ well placed confidence in the headteacher has ensured the changes have been positive ones. Effective decisions are made on how well the school is doing and what needs to be improved in the future because the quality of information on the performance of

p.6

Grade: 2

the school is now better and more readily available. This especially helps to ensure those pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities or who speak English as an additional language are well supported and make good progress. These systems could be further improved if the school identified more specific groups of pupils so that their progress could be tracked through the school. The headteacher’s clear vision means that the school is well placed to continue to make good progress this year. 4 Inspection Report: Urchfont Church of England Primary School, 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005 .

p.6

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

website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 5 Inspection Report: Urchfont Church of England Primary School, 13 October 2005 to 13 October 2005

p.7

Overall

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

p.8

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

p.8

Achievement and standards

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

p.8

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.8

learners?

NA 2 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 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.8

needs and interests of learners?

NA 1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.8

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.8

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.9

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.9

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.9

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.9

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.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you very much for making us feel so welcome at your school. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting, talking and eating lunch with you. We were delighted to find so many wonderful things about your school and believe that you are very lucky to have the opportunity to learn in such an encouraging and supportive atmosphere. As with all schools, there is always something that can be improved and we hope that you will try your best to help the school to achieve the challenges we have set for it. What we liked best: •the atmosphere your headteacher has created which helps you to become confident pupils who are keen to do your best •your excellent behaviour and the way you look after and care for each other •the good progress you make in English, mathematics and science •the good teaching that ensures you have work that enables you to learn well •the actions the school takes to ensure you are safe and that you are keen to live healthy lives •the opportunities you

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

and your parents have to help the school to improve. What we think the school can do to improve: •give you more opportunities to influence how well you learn •identify more carefully which of you would benefit from getting more help so that you make good progress in all the subjects you do.

p.10