Friars Primary Foundation School

Friars Primary Foundation School Inspection report

p.1

100855 Unique Reference Number Southwark Local Authority 285901 Inspection number 3 July 2007 Inspection date Keith Williams Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Primary Type of school Foundation School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 235 School

p.1

The governing body Appropriate authority Miss H Wines Chair Mr N Hodgess Headteacher 7 October 2002 Date of previous school inspection Webber Street School address London SE1 0RF

p.1

020 7207 1807 Telephone number 020 7401 6588 Fax number

p.1

3 °11 Age group 3 July 2007 Inspection date 285901 Inspection number .

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 an Additional Inspector.

p.3

Description of the school

This over-subscribed, average sized primary school serves an area containing significant deprivation, where an above average proportion of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Pupils are drawn from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, the largest groups being those of Black African, White British and Bangladeshi heritage. Over half of the pupils have a home language other than English, although few are at an early stage of learning the language. An above average proportion of pupils have been identified with learning difficulties or disabilities, or are in receipt of a statement of special educational needs. The school has the Investors in People award. Since September 2006, it has been led by an interim headteacher.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.3

Grade: 2

Friars is a good school and has some outstanding features. The school takes exceptional care of its pupils and, as a result, they make excellent progress in their personal development and achieve well academically. Most pupils enjoy everything the school offers immensely, including the very good range of activities provided outside lessons. They work hard and, by the end of Year 6, attain above average standards. The interim headteacher leads the school well and is well supported by a strong leadership team, staff and governing body. They are building well on the successes achieved under the previous leadership and have good capacity to continue this process. The leaders evaluate the school's work thoroughly and have a very accurate view of its effectiveness. They work determinedly to tackle areas identified as needing improvement. Most parents are very supportive, one reporting that she is 'proud that my daughter attends this school,' while others

p.4

Grade: 2

note, 'We have been extremely impressed with all aspects of Friars'. Pupils' attainment when they first join the school covers a wide range but, taken overall, it is below average. In addition, many have limited understanding of English. One of the school's significant successes is the way it provides high quality support to enable pupils to meet a number of challenges with which they are faced. Consequently, pupils who are potentially vulnerable, those learning English as an additional language and those with learning difficulties achieve well. The strong emphasis on developing each individual pupil, but as a member of the school 'family,' means that they make outstanding progress in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. They contribute very strongly to the school and wider community and have an excellent understanding of how to stay safe and healthy. The youngest children get off to a good start in the Foundation Stage because they are well taught by staff who have a

p.4

Grade: 2

good understanding of how young children learn. They place a strong emphasis on promoting children's language and social development, so that they make good progress and achieve well, although standards are below those expected at the end of Reception. Good teaching means that pupils continue to make good progress in Years 1 to 6. The rate of progress accelerates in Year 6, because of highly effective teaching, and these pupils achieve very well to reach above average standards. Teachers and support staff work together well to meet pupils' wide ranging needs by using a combination of individual, group work and whole class teaching. A close check is kept on pupils' progress. Staff have focused recently on increasing the challenge provided to more able pupils, and a measure of their success is the good proportion of Year 6 pupils who have exceeded their targets to reach the higher Level 5 this year. Whilst more able pupils achieve well, the school

p.4

Grade: 2

recognises that there is still more to do, particularly to increase the proportion of Year 2 pupils reaching the higher Level 3. Teaching is rarely less than good and is often outstanding, but there are inconsistencies in the way that pupils' work is marked that limit the feedback they get on their progress.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

• Increase the challenge for more able pupils to enable more of them to reach the higher levels. • Ensure that marking more consistently gives pupils sufficient feedback on how well they are doing and how they can improve. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.4

Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well from their starting points to reach above average standards by the end of Year 6. Children in the Foundation Stage make good progress. They achieve particularly well in their personal, social and emotional development and their physical and creative development so that, in these areas, almost all reach the goals expected at the end of Reception. Progress in other areas is good, too, although a lower proportion, about three-quarters, reach the expected goals. Standards are average at Year 2. They have risen since 2004, when the results of the national assessments for these pupils were exceptionally low. Although pupils of all abilities achieve well, the school has rightly identified the need to increase the proportion of pupils reaching the higher Level 3. The work to improve this has not yet had sufficient time to have its full impact. Pupils' rate of progress accelerates in Year 6 and the national test results

p.5

Grade: 2

for these pupils have been significantly above average in recent years. This represents a very good rate of progress since they were assessed in Year 2.

p.5

Grade: 1

Outstanding personal development underpins pupils' academic achievement and prepares them very well to be future citizens. Many pupils are faced with significant social challenges and the school does everything it can to enable them to behave well, fulfil their potential and play a full part in school life. Consequently, behaviour is good overall. Most pupils behave very well and this ensures that lessons run smoothly and calmly. Occasionally, a very few pupils present challenging behaviour, but this is managed well by staff, so that it very rarely affects the progress of other pupils. Most pupils enjoy school very much and appreciate teachers' efforts to make lessons interesting and fun, although more able pupils report that they sometimes feel they could tackle harder work. The school works hard to promote good attendance and, as a result, the rate is rising and levels are now in line with the national picture. Pupils are very

p.5

Grade: 1

proud of their school council, particularly because they 'have to make big decisions and be a role model'. They make a considerable contribution to school life, for example, by interviewing candidates for the school's headship. Significant strengths in pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development have been maintained since the last inspection. Pupils have a very well developed understanding of the need to help those less fortunate than themselves, both locally and in the wider world. Good progress in the basic skills means that they are well prepared for their future economic well-being.

p.5

Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good and this makes a significant contribution to pupils' all-round development. Lessons are well organised and, typically, the pupils' widely differing needs are well met. Extra support is provided for those in greatest need, which enables them to achieve well. More able pupils are increasingly challenged by harder work, although the school recognises that there is more still to do. A close check is kept on pupils' progress, but occasional lapses in marking mean that pupils are not always clear about what they should do to improve. Relationships amongst pupils and with staff are very good, so that teachers can concentrate 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007 on teaching and pupils on learning. Support staff make a strong contribution to lessons and those opportunities when they work with individuals or groups outside classrooms. Good teaching in the Foundation Stage helps the youngest children to do well in a calm, supportive

p.5

Grade: 2

The school provides a good curriculum and a very good range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Staff work hard to review and improve what is offered. Planning for literacy and numeracy is very thorough. A revised approach to teaching pupils about letter sounds has captured pupils' enthusiasm and is helping to raise standards. Planning for gifted and talented pupils is good and offers many opportunities for them to use and develop their expertise outside school, for example in the science challenge. The school is currently reviewing and improving the way that computers and other technology are used in other subjects. Outside lessons, pupils appreciate, and benefit greatly, from an exciting range of clubs, visits and visitors. There is a very strong emphasis on promoting the arts and sport. Links with local theatres and galleries are used very well to enhance pupils learning and enjoyment.

p.6

Grade: 1

Care, guidance and support are outstanding. The school places a very high priority on ensuring that pupils, whatever their background, ability or gender, are able to play a full part in school life and fulfil their potential. As one parent reported, 'The staff are friendly, supportive and professional. They always put the child's needs first. 'You can approach them at any time to discuss your child, which I truly value.' A very careful check is kept on vulnerable pupils and those potentially at risk. High quality support for pupils learning English as an additional language and those with learning difficulties or disabilities ensures that they achieve well. The school makes excellent use of a wide range of support services to support these pupils. All the necessary steps are taken to secure pupils' health, safety and welfare. The tracking of pupils' academic progress is thorough and is used very well to identify potential underachievement

p.6

Grade: 1

and set targets for pupils' improvement.

p.6

Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The interim headteacher, senior staff and governors form a strong team who are firmly focused on raising standards and providing high quality pastoral care to pupils. As a result, the school is highly inclusive and all pupils are valued. Staff share the commitment to school improvement and leadership at all levels is good. Subject coordinators lead their subjects well, which is an improvement since the last inspection. Very strong leadership in the Foundation Stage, for pupils learning English as an additional language and for those with learning difficulties contributes to the school's success. The monitoring of teaching and learning is very good and, together with a very careful analysis of test results and other assessments, means that the leaders know their school very well. Governors contribute well to this. Although some of their activities for gathering information about how the school

p.6

Grade: 2

is doing are new, they are already helping them to hold the leaders to account. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007 .

p.6

Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.7

Inspection judgements

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

p.8

Overall effectiveness

How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision of education, integrated care and any extended services in meeting the needs of learners? How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 2 The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection

p.8

Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 2 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

p.8

learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The behaviour of learners 2 The attendance of learners 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

p.8

and interests of learners?

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

p.8

and interests of learners?

Grade 1 - Exceptionally and consistently high; Grade 2 - Generally above average with none significantly below average; Grade 3 - Broadly average to below average; Grade 4 - Exceptionally low. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.8

and supporting all learners?

How effectively leaders and managers at all levels set clear direction leading to improvement and promote high quality of care and education How effectively performance is monitored, evaluated and improved to meet challenging targets How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination tackled so that all learners achieve as well as they can How effectively and efficiently resources, including staff, are deployed to achieve value for money The extent to which governors and other supervisory boards discharge their responsibilities Yes Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? No Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

10 July 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Friars Primary Foundation School,London,SE1 0RF Thank you for the friendly way you welcomed me during your school's recent inspection. I am writing to tell you about what I found out. Many of you spoke to me during the day and I was pleased to be able to meet some of you to find out your views and talk about your work. What you told me was very helpful. Lots of you, and your parents, told me that you feel you are doing well and that your school is good. I agree. I could see in lessons and in your books that you are making good progress. By the time you reach Year 6, your work is better than I often find. You told me that your teachers make learning fun and I could see this for myself. I was very pleased to see how hard you try. Your teachers and the other adults make sure that those of you who are new to English, and those who find work difficult, get the help that you need. Some of you who are good at

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

work told me that you enjoy the work, but could sometimes do harder work. Your teachers have been working hard to make sure that you get this harder work, and I agree with them that they need to keep working at this. I have also asked your teachers to make sure that your work is marked up to date and gives you enough information to help you improve. Please make sure that you read their comments carefully, because they will help you to improve. Many of you told me that you feel safe in school and your headteacher and staff do everything they can to look after you. You behaved really well during my visit. Well done. Congratulations to the school council. You are right to be proud, because you make a real difference. I know that other children are pleased with the things they can play with at break times. Even though your school is good, your headteacher, staff and governors want to make it even better. I am sure you will want to help them by continuing to work hard and behave well, and

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I wish you good luck for the future. Yours sincerely, Keith WilliamsLead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Friars Primary Foundation School, 3 July 2007

p.10