St John's Church School

Inspection Report St John's Church School

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110856 Unique Reference Number CITY OF PETERBOROUGH Local Authority 288797 Inspection number 14 °15 November 2006 Inspection dates Susan Aldridge 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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Riseholme School address Primary Type of school Orton Goldhay, Peterborough Voluntary aided School category

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Cambridgeshire PE2 5SP 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01733237543 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01733237175 Fax number 206 Number on roll (school) Mrs Jenny Farnham Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Colette Firth Headteacher 30 April 2001 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 288797 14 °15 November 2006 4°11 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is of average size. Roughly three quarters of the pupils are from White British backgrounds. A higher than average percentage comes from minority ethnic groups and about one fifth are at an early stage of learning to speak English as an additional language. A much higher than average proportion of pupils join or leave their classes part way through the school year. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or with statements of special educational needs and the percentage eligible for free school meals are above average. Most pupils start school with levels of knowledge and understanding well below those expected. Since the last inspection there has been a series of acting headteachers. The present headteacher was appointed in September 2005, following promotion from her post as deputy headteacher at the school.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006

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Grade: 3

The school rightly sees its effectiveness as satisfactory with several important strengths. It provides satisfactory value for money. The provision made for children in the Reception class is satisfactory. They make steady progress and their achievement is satisfactorily in relation to their starting points. Nevertheless they do not reach the levels expected for children of this age. Although pupils continue to make sound progress by the end of Year 2 and Year 6 standards remain well below the national average. The exceptionally low standards in English, particularly in writing, are due to very low starting points but some underachievement is a result of weaknesses in teaching in the past. The school has worked hard to improve this and teaching is now satisfactory. Pupils are beginning to make up for lost ground and achievement is now satisfactory. Leadership and management are satisfactory overall. The pace of change has

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Grade: 3

accelerated with the appointment of the current headteacher, who provides good leadership. Much has been done to deal with the underlying causes of underachievement, particularly weaknesses in teaching, behaviour and attendance. There is frequent monitoring of lessons, and support for teachers has helped to move their practice on. However, lesson observations focus on too many things and do not always identify the most important areas for improvement. Significant changes have been made to the inside of the school which is now bright and stimulating, with eye-catching displays of pupils' work. This is motivating both staff and pupils to value their work. A strong emphasis on improving pupils' learning skills and their active involvement in their learning means that pupils are partners in securing their academic progress. The school knows what it needs to do to improve standards in the key subjects, as self-evaluation is satisfactory. Assessment information in English,

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Grade: 3

mathematics and science in Years 1 to 6 is used well in order to identify where achievement needs to improve. However, similar information in Reception is not used to find out whether children are doing equally well in all areas of learning. Not all subject leaders are involved in monitoring standards and provision in their subjects, so it is not clear how well pupils are doing in subjects other than English, mathematics and science. The school is particularly good at encouraging pupils' personal development. The broad curriculum is good and provides a wealth of opportunities for pupils to learn about personal safety and healthy lifestyles. Physical activities, including adventurous ones, are popular and the school has started to experience success in inter-school sporting events, which greatly pleases pupils, parents and staff. Pupils enjoy coming to school; all have favourites, but one simply could not decide. 'I like best.....well...

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Grade: 3

everything!' she declared. Pupils contribute to school life and to the wider community in many ways. They are proud of their school and keen to show visitors how they are progressing up their 'learning ladders' towards their personal goals. They also work well together in groups and teams. Good personal development owes much to the strong commitment to care, support and pupils' welfare; staff work effectively with other agencies to ensure that pupils are well looked after and supported. As a result, 2 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006 all groups of pupils achieve equally well. Parental satisfaction is high and has improved in recent years. One parent describes the school as 'like another family'. The school reaches out to its community and has a programme of family learning to support parents in helping their children learn. There has been satisfactory improvement since

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Grade: 3

the last inspection and the capacity to improve further is satisfactory.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve standards in English, particularly writing, across the school. • Ensure that lesson observations are focused and identify clearly the most important areas for improvement. • Involve all subject leaders in monitoring standards and provision in their subjects. • Use assessment information in the Foundation Stage to identify the progress that children make in each area of learning.

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Grade: 3

Across the school, achievement is satisfactory and this is linked to satisfactory teaching. There is no significant difference in the rate of progress made by pupils with learning difficulties or those learning English as an additional language. When children enter in Reception, their knowledge and skills are well below average. They are particularly low in communication, language and literacy and personal, social and emotional development. Although they make gains at a satisfactory rate, by Year 1 they do not reach the levels expected for children of this age. Standards are rising. The results of the Year 2 national tests show some improvement in 2005 which has been maintained in 2006. Nevertheless, standards remain well below average in mathematics and exceptionally low in reading and writing. This reflects pupils' very low starting points and a legacy of weaknesses in teaching in the past. In 2005, standards in Year 6 were exceptionally low but results of the 2006 national

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Grade: 3

tests show a big improvement. Standards in reading, science and mathematics were in line with the national average although in writing they remained exceptionally low. In 2006, 25% of Year 6 pupils reached the higher level, Level 5 in mathematics, science and reading indicating significant improvement. The school did not meet its challenging targets for 2006 because they were too ambitious but the targets themselves demonstrated a strong commitment to raising standards. Inspection findings indicate that the upward trend in standards is being maintained throughout the school. The current Year 6 pupils are taught consistently well and are catching up fast. They are on course to reach the challenging targets set for them and attain standards which are broadly average. 3 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006

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Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, is good. The many opportunities for reflection, in assemblies and in lessons, particularly philosophy are used well by pupils. They play harmoniously together, showing a keen understanding of right from wrong and a sense of fair play. Behaviour is good and has improved significantly in recent years. They understand the need to keep safe and act appropriately in school. Pupils learn about and respect cultural differences. As a result of intervention, attendance has improved since the last inspection and is now satisfactory. The school council provides good opportunities for pupils to play an increasing role in school life: pupils are keen fundraisers. Pupils act as 'young cadets' with the police or sing in the local church carol concert. They understand well the principles of healthy eating, and most make healthy choices at

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Grade: 2

lunchtime. Although pupils leave school with well below average literacy skills, they are most personable and well able to work with others; they are satisfactorily prepared for the next step in their educational career.

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory with some good features. Staff work well as a team in class and teaching assistants make a strong contribution to pupils' learning. Relationships between staff and pupils are good, so pupils feel secure and valued. As a result, they are confident learners. Good use of 'learning logs' and 'thinking hats' has led to older pupils reflecting on their learning, and identifying how they can improve their work. Although staff have agreed what the characteristics of a good lesson are, they are not all equally good at translating this into practice. For instance, some are better than others at planning for the range of abilities in their class. Monitoring of teaching is not always successful in identifying the most important areas that each teacher needs to work on to improve. Nonetheless, teaching has improved and teachers feel well supported in improving their practice. Teachers are beginning to work in pairs to share

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Grade: 3

practice and successfully learn from one another.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good; it is particularly relevant to pupils' diverse needs and effective in supporting pupils' personal development. Across the school, philosophy sessions develop pupils' ability to listen to others and respect their views. A wide range of visits, popular out of school activities and lunchtime clubs widen pupils' horizons, help them develop interests and make school enjoyable. Activities such as tag rugby, netball, 4 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006 athletics and football, enable pupils to experience success and take plenty of exercise. There are suitable plans, and funding, to extend learning opportunities through the building of a computer suite and a specialist art room. The creative arts are well catered for; there is an art club and choir, and Year 6 pupils work each year with the Royal Shakespeare Company to produce their own Shakespeare play.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. The deputy headteacher makes a significant contribution to this important aspect of the school's work and staff commitment to pastoral care is impressive. Child protection matters are taken seriously and arrangements for safeguarding pupils meet requirements. Pupils support one another well, and 'play pals' help to make playtimes enjoyable for all. The quality of academic guidance is good. Pupils who have learning difficulties, special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language are identified early and supported well. Progress is checked carefully and intervention, such as support from learning mentors, is appropriate. Marking is helpful and pupils have a clear understanding of their personal targets and what they need to do to improve. However, analysis of progress in the six areas of learning in Reception is not carried out well enough. This limits the school in its ability to move these children on quickly, especially

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory. The headeacher provides good leadership; she is dynamic, and her enthusiasm and clear vision are communicated well to staff and pupils. She is well supported by her deputy, and they complement one another well. Staff morale is high and there is a firm belief that pupils can achieve well. Staff appointments reflect school priorities. For instance a literacy leader has three days each week to work closely with the literacy consultant and with staff to raise standards in writing. The school's capacity to improve is satisfactory. It is limited at present by two factors; weaknesses in monitoring of teaching and the fact that some subject leaders have not fully developed their roles. Governance is satisfactory although there are three vacancies which are proving difficult to fill. Governors keep the school's work under review, but have a limited role in school evaluation.

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Grade: 3

5 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006 .

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Grade: 3

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 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? 3 The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 3 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 3 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

3 How well do learners achieve? 4 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 3 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The behaviour of learners 3 The attendance of learners 2 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 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: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

16 November 2006 Dear Pupils St John's Church School, Riseholme, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5SP Thank you all for making us so welcome in your school when we visited you recently to find out how well you are getting on. We really enjoyed our visit, especially when we talked to you about school life. We found that you are getting on well enough in your lessons. Your behaviour is good and attendance has improved. You all get on well together and the way you are developing as young people is good. We were pleased to hear that you all feel safe in school and to see how much you enjoy keeping fit and healthy, by taking part in lots of sports activities and making some healthy choices at dinner time. You are lucky to have so many visits and clubs to attend, and you told us how much you enjoy these, and your lessons. Your school council is working well. You also help in the local community, when you are 'young cadets' helping the police, for

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

instance. It was clear to us that you are proud of your school. The staff work hard to make your school a happy place and they take very good care of you all. A lot of people work together to make sure you get help if you need it, and we saw that you help each other as well. You also work well in groups and teams. We were particularly impressed with the way you know your personal targets and follow your progress on your learning ladders, because this shows that you know what you need to do to improve. The staff are going to concentrate on improving your English work, especially your writing so that you can reach higher standards. They are also going to work out what needs to be done to make teaching better in all subjects, and they are going to measure how well children in Reception do in all the different subjects there. You can help these things to happen by putting on your 'reflection hats', thinking about what sort of things help you to learn in lessons and

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

telling your teachers about these. Best wishes for the future. Mrs S Aldridge (Lead Inspector) 9 Inspection Report: St John's Church School, 14 °15 November 2006

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