Lanesfield Primary School

Inspection Report Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School

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104327 Unique Reference Number Wolverhampton LEA 285551 Inspection number 11 July 2006 to 12 July 2006 Inspection dates Tom Simpson AI Reporting inspector

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

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Newman Avenue School address Primary Type of school Lanesfield Community School category Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 6BZ 3 to 11 Age range of pupils

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01902 558950 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01902 492482 Fax number 260 Number on roll Cllr Richard Whitehouse Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Mr David Farrar Headteacher 10 November 2003 Date of previous inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 285551 11 July 2006 - 3 to 11 12 July 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is an average-sized primary and nursery school, serving part of Wolverhampton. More than half the pupils are from ethnic minority groups and about 30% have English as an additional language. Attainment on entry is slightly below average. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is around average, whilst the percentage entitled to free school meals is slightly above average. The school was categorised as having serious weaknesses by the last inspection team.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 2006

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Grade: 3

Although currently satisfactory with a number of strengths, Lanesfield School has improved rapidly in the recent past and has a good capacity to improve even further in the future. This matches the school’s own evaluation. The main reason for this is the visionary leadership provided by the headteacher. Other factors include the support of the parents, a rigorous partnership with another local school and the positive attitudes of the pupils themselves. One parent wrote: ‘since the new head was appointed, a breath of fresh air has swept through the school. There is now a sense of purpose and direction’. The inspection team fully agrees. The school’s previous designation as having serious weaknesses no longer applies. Although a lot has been done in the recent past, the school recognises that consolidation has to take place before the improvements impact fully on standards and progress. For example, assessment strategies still need further refining and assessment data needs to be used

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Grade: 3

more consistently to match the work set in lessons to pupils’ individual needs. However, data has been thoroughly analysed and the outcomes used well to inform strategic planning. Teaching is satisfactory overall and has been rigorously monitored to identify strengths and areas for improvement. These strategies are already beginning to impact on the progress that is being made by the pupils, which is now at least satisfactory, and standards are rising. A new deputy headteacher is due to be appointed during the course of the next academic year and, therefore, the current management structure is incomplete. The role of subject managers is also in a fairly early stage of development, which means that their impact on standards is also not yet as effective as it might be. Provision for children in the Foundation Stage is satisfactory and, as a result, they make satisfactory progress. The school provides satisfactory value for money. Pupils’

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Grade: 3

personal development is a particular strength. They enjoy being at school and are well cared for, guided and supported.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Ensure that the outcomes of assessment are consistently used to match work accurately to the needs of pupils with different levels of ability. • Further develop management roles at the different levels within the school, particularly the monitoring role of subject managers.

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Grade: 3

Pupils’ achievement is satisfactory. When pupils enter the school, their attainment is slightly below average, particularly in communication, language and literacy. By the time they leave the school, their standards are broadly average. In 2005, the Year 6 national test results were slightly above average overall and an improvement on the results for the previous two years. Preliminary results for 2006 suggest that this improvement has been maintained. Results of the national assessments of pupils at Year 2 are slightly below average, but also showing some improvement. Pupils make 2 Inspection Report: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 2006 at least satisfactory progress between the time they enter the school and the time they leave it. There are particular strengths in the progress made by pupils in Years 3 to 6, especially in reading. There are a number of reasons for this. One relates to the

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Grade: 3

good quality of some of the teaching, another to developing assessment and tracking procedures, with pupils being set suitably challenging targets. A major contributory factor, however, is also the increasingly positive attitude that the majority of pupils have towards their learning and their enthusiasm for further self-improvement. Children in the Foundation Stage make at least satisfactory progress and in some areas, such as in personal, social and emotional development, their progress is good. Pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities and those with English as an additional language are well supported by their class teachers and also make satisfactory progress. The headteacher and staff are in the process of putting in place a number of strategies to achieve still further improvement.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, has improved since the last inspection and is now good. A Year 6 pupil told inspectors: ‘I have really enjoyed it here’. Pupils are clear about expectations of behaviour and work, and feel valued. As a result, they have positive attitudes to school which are reflected in improved attendance rates. Attendance is now average. Pupils work hard in class and are pleased that the improvements in behaviour have meant that disruption to lessons is very rare. Pupils get on well with each other. Caring attitudes towards others were evident in the Nursery when children were having their water. One child spotted that the teacher was not drinking and got her some. Pupils respond well to the school’s good emphasis on healthy and safe living, through lessons and through regular opportunities to take part in physical education and sport. Pupils

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Grade: 2

are getting increasingly involved in school activities and rise to the responsibility, carrying out their duties as monitors, prefects and members of the school council sensibly and with a real sense of pride. This in turn has impacted on their self-esteem and given them more confidence. Opportunities within lessons ensure that they develop satisfactory basic skills needed for the world of work. This, however, is an area for further development.

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall. There are examples of good teaching in some lessons, with particular strengths in the teaching of the oldest and youngest pupils. This improving picture is already beginning to impact on rising standards, especially in Years 3 to 6. Specific strengths within lessons include the positive way that pupils are managed. This contributes well to their attitudes and behaviour and ensures that relationships are good at all levels. Tasks are frequently made interesting 3 Inspection Report: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 2006 for the pupils and engage them well. Modern technology such as interactive whiteboards is used to good effect. There are a number of strategies in place for assessing how well the pupils are getting on. However, these now need to be developed further and the results of assessment are not used consistently enough to match the

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Grade: 3

work pupils are provided with in lessons to their individual needs. Also, pupils are not given enough say about the way they are learning. This has a particular impact on work in investigative science.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory and improving rapidly. It ensures that pupils’ basic skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT prepare them appropriately for their future life. A particular strength is the way that literacy skills are being developed through other subjects, although the use of ICT to support other subjects on a day-to-day basis is still relatively underdeveloped. The curriculum is enriched well in a number of ways. These include a wide range of out-ofschool visits and visitors to the school. Specialist teaching is provided in areas such as tennis and pupils are active participants in local sports competitions and artistic events. There is a good range of extra-curricular clubs. During the inspection, pupils in Years 3 to 6 presented a very successful performance of the musical ‘Oliver’.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support have also improved and are now good. Effective relationships with parents begin in the Nursery. This means that the very youngest children soon settle and feel well supported. Marking is often used well to guide pupils towards what they need to do next to improve their work, but the use of short-term curriculum targets for pupils is less consistent. Pupils are comfortable to go to an adult with a worry, and their confidence that adults in the school will deal with matters swiftly and efficiently means that they feel safe. Health matters are promoted well and pupils are encouraged in their personal development. Procedures for health and safety and child protection are robust.

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory overall. The relatively recently appointed headteacher is providing effective and inspiring leadership and is moving the school forward very well. His impact on the life and ethos of the school is highly regarded by all involved parties, including the pupils. He has a very clear appreciation of the school’s current strengths and developmental needs and the vision to know what needs to be done to improve it further. One area which has significantly improved is pupils’ attitudes and behaviour, which has impacted positively on the standards they are reaching, particularly by the time they reach Year 6. Teaching is being monitored by the 4 Inspection Report: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 2006 headteacher, a partner head, officers of the local authority and some senior members of the school staff, but the impact of this has still not been fully realised. Members of

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Grade: 3

the governing body are developing appropriate partnerships with subject managers and have also observed some teaching. They are supportive and are gaining an insight into the data used by the school to analyse its progress. Subject managers are enthusiastic. They are enjoying the increased curriculum responsibility that is being made available to them by the headteacher. However, their monitoring role is still not developed far enough. There is a senior management team which meets regularly to discuss relevant issues. However, the current senior management structure of the school is of a temporary nature as the appointment of a deputy headteacher is still impending. The school has effective systems in place for self-evaluation. These involve all interested parties, including the parents and pupils, well. 5 Inspection Report: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 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: Lanesfield Junior Infant and Nursery School, 11 July 2006 to 12 July 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 3 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 3 How well do learners achieve? NA 3 The standards 1 reached by learners

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Achievement and standards

NA 3 How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners NA 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can NA 3 How effectively and efficiently resources are deployed to achieve value for money NA 3 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

12 July 2006Dear PupilsThank you for making us so welcome at your school. You told us that you like yourschool very much. We enjoyed our visit and now want to share with you what wethought about the school.These are the things we especially liked: you are well behaved which means that the school is a safe and happy place you enjoy your education and are keen to do well you are well cared for, guided and supported the headteacher and staff are working hard to help the school get even better.Here are some of the things we have suggested to help the school improve further: we think that teachers could use the information they have on how well youare doing a bit more when they are planning their lessons teachers who are responsible for different subjects need to visit each other’sclasses more often to see what is going on.With best wishesDr Tom SimpsonLead InspectorAlexandra House33 KingswayLondon WC2B 6SET 0207 421 6800F 0207 421 6707www.ofsted.gov.uk

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