Chad Vale Primary School

Inspection Report - Amended Chad Vale Primary School

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103332 Unique Reference Number Birmingham Local Authority 286631 Inspection number 19 September 2006 Inspection date Christine Field Reporting inspector

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

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Nursery Road School address Primary Type of school Edgbaston Community School category Birmingham B15 3JU 4 °11 Age range of pupils 0121 4647329 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0121 4644441 Fax number 209 Number on roll (school) Gerald Galea Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Robin Haselgrove Headteacher 9 February 2006 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection date Age group 286631 19 September 2006 4 °11

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Amended Report Addendum

Report updated to resolve formatting inconsistency

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Amended Report Addendum

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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Amended Report Addendum

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 one Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

The school provides for pupils from a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds, with one in ten learning English as a new language. The majority of pupils are from Indian heritage. A number of parents are seconded from overseas to a local hospital or university, resulting in some pupils' enrolment at school being short-term. This contributes to the relatively high level of pupil mobility. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is about average, as is the number of pupils claiming free school meals. The school is part of an Education Action Zone and offers before- and after-school clubs. Four new teachers joined the school this term.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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Grade: 2

Chad Vale is a good school. Parents praise highly the dedicated, caring and supportive staff who help their children achieve well both academically and personally. Pupils told the inspector that they like coming to school because 'everyone is nice and they make you feel special'. The busy and purposeful atmosphere immediately strikes the visitor. Pupils from many different ethnic backgrounds work together in perfect harmony. Classes are happy places in which predominantly good teaching helps pupils learn successfully. This picture is reflected in pupils' good achievement and above-average standards, by the end of Year 6. Pupils settle well in the Reception class, where they learn at just the right speed to help them reach, and in some cases exceed, expectations. Pupils continue to build knowledge and skills effectively in the infant years and virtually all reach the standard expected for their age. However, a few of the more able are not reaching

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Grade: 2

their full potential, particularly in reading and writing, by the end of Year 2. The school's own monitoring has pinpointed this and strategies are in place to assist improvement. The more able pupils make good progress in the junior years. There is sensible use of targets to help raise expectations but pupils' progress towards these needs sharper and timelier checks by teachers. The recent introduction of pupil assessment booklets is a positive step towards better consistency in recording progress, as is the move towards involving pupils in regular self-review. The headteacher is the driving force behind the 'Chad Vale Way' of doing things. His leadership is determined, enabling and inclusive. Staff work together well as a team and implement agreed policies consistently. For example, positive behaviour management supports pupils in behaving sensibly and also knowing what to do in 'difficult moments'. Pupils benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum and are involved

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Grade: 2

in lots of very well-planned activities that are helping them keep healthy and safe and build a good range of skills required for their future working life. The school council is a very effective vehicle for pupils to play a key role in sharing decision-making with school leaders and governors. Pupils show outstanding enterprise and run successful mini-businesses such as 'Sub Zero', an ice-cream-selling venture whose profits enabled charitable support for an orphanage in India. Pupils are involved in their community in many ways, for example, in participating in the Harborne annual carnival. The school successfully fosters outstanding relationships and assists pupils' growth as socially responsible world citizens. The school has a good understanding of the main areas for development, with the school's newly comprised 'Primary Strategy Team' and governors united in working together to make Chad Vale second to none. The school has improved significantly

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Grade: 2

since its last inspection because of strong, well-focused leadership. The school is well placed to continue to improve further. 2 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

• Ensure that the more able pupils in Years 1 and 2 are suitably challenged to meet their full potential in reading and writing. • Sharpen teachers' recording of progress towards individual targets and involve pupils in regular checks to see how well they are doing.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' performance in national tests shows that they achieve well in relation to their starting points and capabilities by the end of Year 6. For some years, results have been above the national average in English and mathematics, and very high in science. Standards are equally high in information and communication technology (ICT), art and design, music and physical education. Pupils with learning difficulties are given exactly the right amount of support they need to make good progress, as are new joiners, including those learning English as a new language. The school sets challenging targets but recognises that it is currently much better at hitting the targets it agrees for Year 6 pupils than those for Year 2. The above-average results in Year 6 arise from good progress overall, though it is more successful in Years 3 to 6 than in other years. The school has introduced a new system for assessing progress and teachers are keen to improve the way they use this to make

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Grade: 2

sure the work set for all learners is pitched at the right level.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, is outstanding. Right from Reception, pupils show pride in their school and are keen to do well. They develop as very confident learners who have high self-esteem and show excellent consideration for others. Pupils show a high level of awareness of the importance of tolerance and respect in a racially and culturally diverse society. Good levels of attendance are testament to the extent to which pupils enjoy their learning. The 'My Munch' menu at lunchtime offers a range of healthy options, including salads and meat-free hot meals that many pupils choose. Not all, however, are yet fully aware of the nutritional benefits of a healthy diet. The good progress that pupils make in literacy, numeracy and ICT ensures that they have the skills needed to prepare them well for the next stage of education and future world of work.

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Grade: 1

3 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good and the school's evaluation of what works best and what needs improvement in teaching is robust and accurate. New teachers to the school have made a good start to the term. They bring with them a freshness of approach to complement the expertise of more experienced staff. Very good use of ICT brings learning alive in lessons. Teachers and teaching assistants work together very well as a team and this allows pupils from Reception to Year 6 to work in small groups tailored to their particular needs. This approach is particularly beneficial in enabling pupils learning English as a new language to successfully build key skills. Pupils with learning difficulties do especially well because of this approach and because of the tailor-made programmes devised to ensure their consistently good progress. However, teachers slightly underestimate how much progress more- able pupils are capable of making in the

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Grade: 2

infants and, in consequence, standards for this group are not as high as they should be by the end of Year 2. Pupils have a good idea of how well they are doing but are not always clear about how they can move up a level and do not get enough opportunities to review personal achievement. The use of targets to support pupils' next steps in learning is not yet rigorous enough.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum gives pupils of all ages rich and varied experiences that are reflected well in the interesting and colourful displays around the school and in classrooms. Pupils in the Reception class experience an active and practically based curriculum that enables them to make appropriate choices and ensures their positive enjoyment in learning. ICT has improved well since the last inspection, with good use now made of computers to support pupils' work across subjects. There is good attention paid to developing pupils' artistic and musical gifts as well as sporting talents. There are very good opportunities to take part in activities after school for all ages of pupil. These include Indian tabla drumming, dancing, Spanish, French, chess, sports coaching and musical tuition. They are well attended and add excellent enrichment to pupils' education. The school organises a number of residential visits that assist pupils in developing leadership

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Grade: 2

and team-building skills. Pupils rate the visits as 'brilliant'. 4 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. The school has developed excellent links with a wide range of agencies that provide an outstanding safety net for individuals or groups of pupils. For example, pupils who join the school during the year are warmly welcomed and given high quality support to help them settle. The language needs of pupils entering the school with limited English are quickly assessed, with specific work provided and bilingual help given as required. Academic guidance understandably focuses on making sure that those who are experiencing difficulties receive the extra help they need to move on. There is scope for sharper assessment of the progress made by the more able learners to improve the quality of academic guidance.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher has created a strong family ethos that results in everyone in school pulling together to make the school the best it can be. Expectations for quality are set high and the school has established good systems to support staff in achieving them. New teachers to school say they have benefited from the comprehensive induction programme and have made a positive start. Senior leaders have been instrumental in bringing about improvement, for example, in raising achievement in ICT throughout the school and in English in the junior years. The recently set up 'Primary Strategy Team' has a remit to raise achievement in the infants. They have established a comprehensive action plan with specific targets by which to measure their success. Staff are currently receiving training to help focus monitoring more precisely on the progress made by the more able pupils and have

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Grade: 2

devised a useful recording system to check that it is working. Governors are committed, involved and knowledgeable. They use their own expertise very well to support school improvement, for example, in keeping a careful watch on finances and seeking best value when providing or procuring goods and services. Effective consultation systems enable pupils and parents to put forward their views about a range of school issues. 5 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006 .

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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: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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Inspection judgements

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

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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 2 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

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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

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learners?

1 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

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and interests of learners?

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

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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: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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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: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you so much for the lovely welcome you gave to me on Tuesday and for sharing all the super things about your school. It didn't take me long to see just how proud everyone is of belonging to the Chad Vale school family. You told me that Chad Vale is a good school- you are right, it is! One of the many high points that I will remember was watching you play so well together at lunchtime - enjoying your game of hockey and using your wonderful slides! I have to tell you that I was very moved by hearing you sing your school song in assembly and was very impressed by the way you listened so carefully to the story about 'Robin' and then showed how much you had enjoyed it by clapping very loudly. There are many things that make Chad Vale the special place it is, such as the happy classrooms, friendly, helpful staff and exciting lessons in which you learn new things. You told me how great the visits to Bockleton and Kingswood are, with the shelter building at Stansfeld getting

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

a big vote of approval. I was very interested to learn that the school council is currently working with Birmingham City Council to make Nursery Road a much safer place. Despite all of these good things, nowhere is perfect and I have talked with your teachers about ways to make Chad Vale even better. I would like all of you to work the best you can and to tell your teachers if the work they set is not hard enough. I would like you to make sure you know what your personal targets are in literacy and numeracy and to make sure you know how to reach them. I hope that you will do this as quickly as you can and ask for your next target so that you are always aiming high! Best wishes for a successful future. ? 9 Inspection Report: Chad Vale Primary School, 19 September 2006

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