St Patrick's Catholic Primary School

St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Inspection report

p.1

102331 Unique Reference Number Havering Local Authority 286342 Inspection number 14 December 2007 Inspection date Nick Butt 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 Voluntary aided School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 305 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr M O'Regan Chair Mrs M J Vincent Headteacher 8 July 2002 Date of previous school inspection Lowshoe Lane School address Collier Row Romford RM5 2AP 01708 745655 Telephone number 01708 731696 Fax number

p.1

4-11 Age group 14 December 2007 Inspection date 286342 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. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues -achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, the curriculum, care, guidance and support and leadership and management - gathering evidence from lesson observations, scrutiny of pupils' work and documents. Parents' questionnaires and discussions with pupils, governors and staff, also contributed to the judgements. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

This popular, larger-than-average, school draws pupils from a wide area. The proportion of pupils whose families claim free school meals is low. Just over one fifth of pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, the largest group being Black African. Few pupils speak English as an additional language. A small number of pupils have learning difficulties or disabilities. The school has awards for promoting basic skills and healthy lifestyles and for developing its staff.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007

p.3

Grade: 2

This good school has many outstanding features. Pupils thrive in a friendly and caring atmosphere, where the development of basic skills is given a high priority. As a consequence, pupils reach standards that are consistently above average and achieve well from starting points that are a little below average. Initiatives to improve writing for higher attaining pupils in Years 1 and 2, and to improve mathematics by the end of Year 6, have been successful, reflected in improved scores in the 2007 national tests. Learning is fun, and an excellent curriculum ensures pupils enjoy a full range of exciting and challenging experiences, both within and outside the school day. The provision of information and communication technology (ICT) is a particular strength, with standards that are well above average, and strong links to other subjects. The leadership of the headteacher is outstanding. Ably supported by the deputy head and

p.4

Grade: 2

other senior leaders, she has built an effective and dedicated team, wholly committed to the welfare and academic success of the pupils. Parents wholeheartedly support the work of the school. One commented, 'The school is like a second family that is there in times of need, not only for the children but for the whole family.' Pupils are cared for exceptionally well and feel safe and secure in school, giving them the confidence to try their best and not give up when work is challenging. Their personal development and well-being are outstanding. They treat one another with consideration and respect, and are keen to participate fully in all the school offers them. Behaviour is impeccable. Pupils follow the strong spiritual and moral lead given by adults in a school underpinned by Christian values, and this is reflected in their outstanding social and cultural development. They value their differences and celebrate one another's

p.4

Grade: 2

traditions. Teaching and learning are good with outstanding features, ensuring that all pupils achieve well whatever their starting points. Classrooms are attractive learning environments, with stimulating displays of high quality pupils' work, especially in art. Teachers use interactive whiteboards particularly well to interest and engage pupils, and to involve them fully in lessons. In one outstanding lesson, pupils watched a presentation of different styles of newspaper article and a news video clip to help them understand different approaches to journalistic writing. This inspired them to produce work of a very high standard. Pupils like the variety of approaches teachers adopt and the 'fun ways' they show them to go about their work. Occasionally, pupils are not given the opportunity to be as actively involved in the lesson as they could be. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to live healthy and safe lives. One said, 'I run

p.4

Grade: 2

up and down the stairs - it warms me up and gives me exercise!' They know all about how to combat bullying from their recent anti-bullying week, and feel it is not a problem for them. Those who spoke with inspector say they would turn to an adult if they had a worry. Pupils make a considerable contribution to school life through offering their views as school councillors, and more informally at the headteacher's tea parties. They raise money for local and global charities, and have very strong links with the church and parish. The choir has recently sung at the Millennium Dome and pupils also entertain the elderly with Christmas carols. Pupils develop a good basic skills and leave the school well-prepared for secondary school. The impact of leadership and management upon the quality of the school's provision is good, with a careful schedule for self-evaluation throughout the year that involves leaders and subject

p.4

Grade: 2

managers. The evidence collected provides a secure basis for an accurate assessment of the school's strengths and needs, which translates into effective strategic planning for future 4 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007 development. Sometimes teachers are not given enough guidance about how they could improve a lesson that has been observed, but in general the feedback is helpful and incisive. Pupils' progress is tracked closely, and any at risk of falling behind is identified and supported promptly. Governors support the school well, and play a key strategic role in reviewing its performance. The care, guidance and support given to pupils are good. Marking is effective and shows pupils how they can improve. Pupils also know what they need to do to raise their achievement in literacy and numeracy through individual discussions with their teachers and through jointly

p.4

Grade: 2

setting targets, or 'TBI's (To Be Improved) as they call them. Good classroom support is given by teaching assistants to pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, but often the targets written into their individual education plans are too general. This makes it difficult to measure how much progress they have made between reviews. Pastoral care is outstanding, with all safeguarding procedures and risk assessments in place, and pupils are known especially well as individuals. A parent noted, 'Our son feels a valued member of the school community.' Pupils' great enjoyment of school is boosted by the wealth of extra-curricular activities on offer to them, which also contributes significantly to their outstanding personal development. Clubs include gymnastics, Spanish and tennis, as well as a breakfast club and an after-school club. They go on plenty of trips, including a residential visit to Wales for the older pupils, and also

p.5

Grade: 2

benefit from visitors such as artists and musicians and Salsa dancers. The fully integrated curriculum caters extremely well for the three mixed-age classes. The school has improved greatly since its last inspection, and the school day now meets the recommended length. Teaching is better, with work more suited to pupils' needs, and progress is tracked very carefully. Above average standards have been maintained over several years, and the school is well-placed to continue to improve further.

p.5

Grade: 2

The Foundation Stage is led and managed well, with an increasing focus on learning by play and child-initiated activities. Children enjoy the new phonics scheme, and are learning their sounds quickly. They enter the Reception classes with abilities a little below those normally expected, but make good progress, so that most of them are reaching the early learning goals by the time they enter Year 1. Planning and assessment are detailed and give children a variety of rich experiences in all six areas of learning. The area outside the Reception classes lacks shelter for inclement weather, and is not fully secure. Parts of it become slippery in the wet and have had to be cordoned off.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure targets on the individual education plans of pupils with learning difficulties state exactly what they need to know and understand to improve. ■ Develop the Foundation Stage outdoor area to make it a safe and secure learning environment for young children. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007 .

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007

p.6

Inspection judgements

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

p.7

Overall effectiveness

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

p.7

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.7

learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The attendance of learners 1 The behaviour of learners 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.7

and interests of learners?

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

p.7

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 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007

p.7

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 2 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 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 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

21 December 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Patrick's Catholic Primary School,Romford,RM5 2AP Thank you very much for making me so welcome at your school. I did enjoy my visit, and agree with you that you go to a good school. There are many things that are special about it and here are some of them.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You care for each other extremely well, and the older pupils help the younger ones.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress in your work and reach above average standards in English, mathematics and science. ■ You know all about living healthily and staying safe, especially how to eat a healthy diet.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school council has a real say in how the school is run.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Attendance is good and you love coming to school.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The teaching is good, and there are many activities for you to enjoy.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school cares for you especially well, if you have a problem or need help.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school is run well by the headteacher and her staff, who work very hard to make sure you have the best possible education. The children in the Reception classes settle quickly and get off to a good start. The outdoor play area for them is not very safe or secure at the moment, so needs to be improved. Those of you who find work more of a struggle are supported well in class. I have asked your teachers to make sure they make a note of exactly what you need to do to succeed in your learning. Thank you once again for your help. My best wishes for the future. Yours sincerely, Mr N Butt, Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, 14 December 2007

p.9