St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary School

Inspection Report St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School

p.1

101137 Unique Reference Number Westminster Local Authority 285982 Inspection number 10 °11 January 2007 Inspection dates David Hornbrook HMI Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Shrewsbury Road School address Primary Type of school Bayswater Voluntary aided School category London W2 5PR 3 °11 Age range of pupils 02076414482 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 02072297665 Fax number 369 Number on roll (school) Mr Arthur Soares Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Helen Connolly Headteacher 12 February 2001 Date of previous school inspection

p.1

Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 285982 10 °11 January 2007 3°11 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 of Her Majesty's Inspectors and an Additional Inspector.

p.3

Description of the school

St Mary of the Angels is a popular school enrolling pupils from local Catholic families. It serves an area with an historic tradition of immigration. Over 40 languages are spoken in the school, among which those most common after English are Portuguese, French Creole and Spanish; the proportion of pupils at the early stages of learning English is well above average. About one third of the pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above average. The school is about to become a designated children's centre.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.3

Grade: 2

St Mary of the Angels School provides a good education and is improving quickly. Notwithstanding disappointing results in 2005, standards and pupils' rates of progress are beginning to show a marked upward trend and are now well above average in many areas. Pupils' achievement is good. The school's success with English is particularly notable in the light of the large number of pupils who enter the school in the early stages of fluency in the language. The school is aware that standards in mathematics, although above average, do not yet match the very good results pupils attain in English. In terms of their progress, it is clear that the effective, targeted use of resources helps pupils get off to a very good start in the Nursery and Reception Years. Parents speak very positively about the school and believe that it is a secure place for their children to enjoy their learning; one parent commented, 'I find it a very safe

p.4

Grade: 2

environment.' Parents also value the attention given by St Mary's to pupils' individual needs. In this respect, the identification of those with learning difficulties, and the care taken of them, are particularly strong features. Pupils respect the buildings and are very well behaved in classrooms and corridors. They take part in a number of fund-raising initiatives and have links with schools in other parts of the world. In Years 5 and 6, pupils take on an impressive range of responsibilities in the school, becoming play leaders, sports captains and prefects. The school works closely with a number of outside agencies and there are very good links with the local community. The school is strongly committed to supporting and developing its teaching and non-teaching staff and a new management structure gives teachers the chance to develop their skills in a range of different areas. At the same time, the sharing of data

p.4

Grade: 2

about pupils' progress with class teachers has helped to establish a culture of accountability. These and other measures have contributed to the emergence of a cohesive and committed staff group where ideas are respected and innovation encouraged. The school functions smoothly and with clarity of purpose. Management and monitoring procedures are mostly well embedded and effective, although in the evaluation of its own performance the school does not always fully articulate identified areas of weakness. The quality of teaching across the school is good, and never less than satisfactory. Lessons are lively and suitably paced, and pupils respond enthusiastically to questions and challenges. However, pupils would benefit if teachers were prepared to relax their control more often and let them explore and develop their ideas independently. The school has a broad and balanced curriculum and an extensive and imaginative range

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

• Apply to mathematics the improvement strategies successfully employed in English. • Provide more opportunities in lessons for pupils to develop as independent learners. • Ensure that self-evaluation fully acknowledges the school's strengths and weaknesses. 2 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.4

Grade: 2

Overall, achievement is good and standards are above average. Pupils make good progress in the Foundation Stage so that, by the end of the Reception Year, most exceed the expected standards in all the designated areas of learning. For some years following the last inspection, pupils' attainment in national tests further up the school remained broadly average. However, a recent focus on the development of writing, speaking and listening skills, accompanied by a number of positive interventions, has improved progress and standards in all years. In 2004 and 2006, Year 2 pupils significantly exceeded national averages in reading, writing and mathematics. A similar trend was apparent in tests at the end of Year 6 where standards in English and science are now above the national average. The school is working hard to raise standards in mathematics further with a strategy which emphasises mental mathematics and the

p.5

Grade: 2

application of mathematical skills to problem solving.

p.5

Grade: 1

Personal development and well-being are outstanding. Pupils thoroughly enjoy learning at St Mary's, one summing it up succinctly, 'School is the best!' Because they find lessons interesting and have great respect for the adults in the school, pupils' behaviour is very good indeed. There is no evidence of bullying or racist behaviour. Attendance is also good. Persuading pupils to eat healthily has been a struggle, but the kitchen staff and teachers have worked hard to ensure that pupils understand healthy choices. Imaginative provision at playtime ensures that pupils have plenty of opportunity to engage in different sports, or to dance to music. These activities are managed by pupil play leaders and are only one example of the ways in which pupils are encouraged to take responsibilities and contribute to the life of the school. Classrooms and corridors are rich with art work and pupils have many opportunities to participate in assemblies

p.5

Grade: 1

and to visit museums and theatres. These many strengths contribute to the good standards achieved by pupils in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

p.5

Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good across the school. Teachers plan work that is carefully matched to the needs of pupils of different ages and abilities and manage their classes well. Support teachers and assistants are properly integrated into lessons and provide good quality support for pupils, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities. Teachers provide a good range of different activities for pupils, but the opportunities available in lessons for them to develop as independent learners are more limited. Teachers are careful to involve pupils with learning difficulties in appropriate activities 3 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007 and ensure that they participate fully. The school is well-equipped with electronic whiteboards and teachers use them effectively to engage and stimulate pupils. Classroom displays are varied and interesting and help to enhance learning by

p.5

Grade: 2

celebrating pupils' work and reminding them of what they should be aiming to achieve. Relationships between teachers and pupils are good. The results of assessment are generally used well to inform strategic and short term planning.

p.6

Grade: 2

The curriculum is broad and balanced. It satisfies all external requirements as well as meeting the needs of specific groups of pupils such as those with English as an additional language and newly arrived pupils. Imaginative use is made of resources. For example, music and physical education are taught by specialists and the Italian Consulate provides the school with an Italian teacher for Year 3 to 6 classes. The curriculum is enhanced very effectively by lunch time and after-school clubs which broaden pupils' education and increase their enjoyment of school. In addition, there is a programme of events which makes full use of the school's external links, such as those with local specialist schools, business partners and organisations abroad. Recent examples include drama and poetry projects to help develop pupils' speaking and listening skills and a visit from members of Chelsea Football Club.

p.6

Grade: 2

The care, guidance and support of pupils are good. Pupils are very well supported and enjoy being part of the school community. They are confident that they feel very safe and that if they are upset they can approach any adult in the school. Discussion in 'circle time' allows pupils to explore their concerns and to contribute to debates in the school council. The school has effective systems in place to ensure pupils are safe and good use is made of lesson time to teach them about health and safety. The monitoring of and support for pupils' progress are good; pupils know at what level they are working and what they have to do next. Termly group and individual targets are set following assessments and are shared at meetings with parents and pupils. Increasingly, teachers are ensuring that they make regular reference to these targets when teaching and that they review them when necessary.

p.6

Grade: 2

The leadership and management of the school are good. Having steered St Mary's through some troubled waters the headteacher continues to be a calm and inspirational presence. She is supported by an energetic senior leadership team and a loyal and committed staff. Management systems are good and the school is smooth-running and orderly. Morale among staff is high. Performance data is widely disseminated so that teachers and senior managers know pupils' targets and can monitor their progress. 4 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007 Staff at all levels are acutely aware of the diversity of the pupil population and work hard to ensure all have an equal chance of success. Lessons are regularly observed and pupils' work scrutinised. The self evaluation report, however, does not articulate many of the issues known to the school and this limits its usefulness. The school makes very

p.6

Grade: 2

good use of outside agencies such as the local authority and has been chosen to be the location of a new children's centre. Governors successfully fulfil their responsibilities, keeping a close eye on all aspects of the school's performance and rotating a monthly responsibility as 'duty governors'. A recent budget deficit was effectively managed so that pupils suffered no ill-effects. 5 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007 .

p.7

Grade: 2

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.8

Inspection judgements

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

p.9

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 3 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.9

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.9

learners?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 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 2 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.9

and interests of learners?

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

p.9

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. 7 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.9

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? 8 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

As you know, inspectors visited your school recently. I write to thank you for your help when we talked with you, visited your classrooms and looked at your work. You made us feel really welcome and showed us how much you enjoy coming to school. St Mary's gives you a good education. These are the best things about your school: • the school is helping you to be courteous and considerate young people • you are keen to work and learn • there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in activities • you are extremely well looked after and safe in school • the headteacher and the other teachers and support staff make sure the school runs smoothly and happily and are making lots of improvements • you benefit from the school's many outside links and partnerships. Here are the main things the school should do to improve further: • it should help you do as well in mathematics as you do in English • in lessons, teachers should give you more chances to learn by yourselves or with your friends

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

• it should look a bit more carefully at what it does well and what it might do better. I wish you all the very best for the future. Yours faithfully David Hornbrook Her Majesty's Inspector 9 Inspection Report: St Mary of the Angels RC Primary School, 10 °11 January 2007

p.11