Flookburgh CofE Primary School

Flookburgh CofE Primary School Inspection report

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112410 Unique Reference Number Cumbria Local Authority 289278 Inspection number 14 °15 March 2007 Inspection dates Sheila Mawer 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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Primary Type of school Foundation School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 129 School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Sharon Wilson Chair Mr Chris Brooksbank Headteacher 1 February 2002 Date of previous school inspection Winder Lane School address Flookburgh Grange-over-Sands Cumbria LA11 7LE

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01539 558434 Telephone number 01539 559071 Fax number

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3 °11 Age group 14 °15 March 2007 Inspection dates 289278 Inspection number .

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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 one Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

This small school serves a rural community of four villages. Numbers have fallen by about a third since the last inspection. Nearly all pupils in the four mixed age classes and the Nursery are from White British backgrounds and almost all speak English as their first language. Entitlement to free school meals is lower than average. A smaller than average proportion of pupils has learning difficulties and/or disabilities; none has a statement of special educational need. The school has a Healthy School award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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Grade: 2

Parents and pupils are justifiably proud of this good school, which has many strengths. In particular, they appreciate the outstanding levels of pastoral care in a strong family atmosphere. This is a major factor in helping pupils to excel in aspects of their personal development and gain the academic skills needed to become lifelong learners. Their good attendance and regular completion of homework demonstrate their positive attitudes and enjoyment for school. All members of the school community have a genuine respect for one another and, in this supportive environment, pupils behave exceptionally well. They enjoy taking responsibility as monitors, buddies and councillors. Older pupils show confidence and maturity and are particularly at ease when talking to adults. The strong emphasis on outdoor education and sporting activities is a considerable strength of the school, and health and safety are given high priority.

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Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well and reach above average standards. In the Foundation Stage, children get off to a flying start in their education and provision is good. In the rest of the school, most pupils make good progress through effective teaching and a stimulating curriculum. Standards in writing, especially for more able pupils, are not high enough. More challenge is needed in the teaching, to bring writing up to the same levels as reading. Adults are generally used well in the mixed age classes to support groups and individual pupils, but more help is needed in the Year 2/3 class, where progress, although satisfactory, is slower. Effective partnerships with parents through family learning initiatives, with other schools and the local church all support the good provision for pupils’ learning. As a result of strong and effective leadership and management, all major aspects of the school’s work are good and above average standards have been maintained since the last inspection.

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Grade: 2

The school gives good value for money and has a good capacity for further improvement. The headteacher, staff and governors are strongly committed to building on the school’s achievements and clearly know its strengths and weaknesses. However, the school improvement plan does not provide enough information on how improvements will be made or monitored. This makes it difficult for the school to evaluate clearly the effect of new initiatives on pupils’ achievement; for example, on how successful the strategies have been to improve writing.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards of writing, especially for more able pupils, so they are as good as reading. • Improve the school improvement plan and the record of self-evaluation to provide more information on how improvements will be made and monitored.

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Grade: 2

Achievement is good and pupils attain above average standards. Children make good progress in the Foundation Stage from their broadly average starting points. They do particularly well in speaking and listening and developing their personal and social skills, which are below average on entry. Most enter Year 1 having achieved the goals set for them and about a third exceed them. At the end of Year 2, standards are average. Although standards dipped in tests in 2006 to below average, more pupils than usual had learning difficulties and there was some disruption to the class caused by staff changes. In the current Years 2/3 class, there is a wider than usual spread of ability and pupils make good progress in most lessons. In some lessons there is no additional support and some pupils, especially those with learning difficulties, find it difficult 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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Grade: 2

at times to complete their work successfully. This slows their learning in these lessons to satisfactory. Learning accelerates in the junior classes and pupils make good progress in lessons. In most lessons, pupils with learning difficulties make good progress because they receive appropriate levels of support. Standards in reading are significantly higher than those in writing throughout the school because fewer pupils reach the higher levels in writing.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ positive attitudes, good attendance and their outstanding behaviour are key factors in the school’s success. They enjoy their learning and participate in a wealth of activities within the curriculum. Sports and adventurous activities are favourite choices. Consequently, pupils are fit and healthy, their physical skills are well developed and they know how to keep safe. They also know the importance of healthy eating and selected pupils keep a close watch on school meals to make sure healthy options are available. Good progress in spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is shown in pupils’ outstanding relationships and their respect and care for others. There are many examples of pupils supporting each other, including peer coaching sessions and buddies who help to prevent bullying. Pupils often discuss anti-bullying strategies together and this has a positive impact on reducing the

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Grade: 2

rare incidents of bullying. The school council has a satisfactory say in the work of the school, having recently improved playtime facilities. Its organisation is very informal and led by a teacher. This means that pupils are not gaining the important skills of taking responsibility in planning and running the meetings democratically. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education. They leave school with good basic skills and a strong commitment to learn and do well.

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Grade: 2

Teaching ranges from satisfactory to outstanding and is good overall. Typically, lessons are well planned and managed; pupils’ attentiveness is a marked feature of most lessons. Interactive whiteboards are used well to keep interest levels high and involve pupils in their learning. Challenging questions often probe and extend thinking skills, while the extensive use of sharing ideas with a partner helps pupils to clarify their ideas. Pupils say they appreciate the way teachers make learning exciting. This was seen in an outstanding gymnastics lesson, where pupils were skilfully taught to devise their own agility relay and explore a range of different movements. High expectations and excellent subject knowledge were strong features of this lesson and most of the good teaching in general. While most teachers make sure that different work is set at the correct level for pupils in mathematics, tasks in writing are often the same

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Grade: 2

and this reduces the effectiveness of some teaching and learning. It means that work is often too easy for more able pupils and does not give them the challenge they need to learn well. By the end of Year 6, not enough pupils are using well structured complex sentences or choosing from an extensive vocabulary. Marking is satisfactory but does not always help pupils to know how well they are doing or how to improve their work, especially in writing. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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Grade: 2

The school provides a well-rounded curriculum by grouping subjects together, and incorporating many creative and sporting activities. It also offers considerable enrichment through visits and visitors and the chance for pupils to join other schools in visits and musical events. The school focuses successfully on the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) and good examples are seen of these being used well across the curriculum. There are excellent opportunities for pupils to extend their learning and personal skills outside of lessons, through a wide range of exciting clubs and two residential visits. The outdoor adventurous activities offer challenging physical experiences as well as promoting confidence, teamwork and independence. Children in the Foundation Stage enjoy a very stimulating programme of activities. For example, the ‘Forest School’ curriculum includes extensive problem

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Grade: 2

solving activities and environmental studies. Links with the playgroup are strong, as the Nursery shares the same site and staffing. Parents praise staff in the Nursery for helping their children to settle quickly and happily in school.

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Grade: 2

Pastoral care and support for pupils is excellent and strongly endorsed by parents. There is very good encouragement for pupils to think of others and work together successfully and staff are excellent role models to follow. Thorough procedures are in place for ensuring pupils’ protection, health and safety. Risk assessments in particular are rigorously carried out to make sure that pupils are safe during outdoor educational visits. Pupils receive good levels of advice on how well they are doing in their personal development and behaviour is carefully monitored. The quality of academic guidance is satisfactory. Individual targets are set in literacy and numeracy and pupils are involved in setting and reviewing their own targets.

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Grade: 2

At the forefront of this extremely caring school are the commitment and strong leadership of the headteacher. He manages to combine his teaching duties and headteacher role with good humour and enthusiasm. He provides clear educational direction and is ably supported by a skilled deputy headteacher. Together they have created a climate of strong teamwork, where everyone is committed to high achievement and ensuring that pupils are happy, healthy and working hard. Collectively, they have a secure understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and through the monitoring of teaching and learning their understanding has been strengthened. The school has a wealth of information on pupils’ performance and this is usually put to good effect in planning and support. The headteacher and key staff know the areas for improvement, but have been less successful in recording how the improvements will be made,

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Grade: 2

monitored and evaluated. The school improvement plan does not provide enough of this important information. Although there were no major issues from the last inspection, the school has made good progress in maintaining above average standards. It has also successfully refurbished and significantly 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007 improved a major part of the school, including a new library. Staff development is given a high profile and rigorous monitoring by the deputy headteacher ensures that funds are used wisely for the benefit of staff and pupils. Governors provide good levels of commitment and support and through their links with subject leaders have a good understanding of different subjects and how well pupils are learning. They are less effective in challenging the school in the drive for further improvements, because the school’s priorities for development are not recorded

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Grade: 2

clearly enough. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007 .

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Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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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?

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 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Flookburgh C of E Primary School Winder Lane Flookburgh Grange-over-Sands Cumbria LA11 7LE 14 March 2007 Dear Pupils Thank you very much for being so helpful when I came to inspect your school recently. I enjoyed meeting you, visiting you in lessons and looking at your work. Thank you for telling me so much about your school. I agree with you and your parents that you go to a good school with many strengths. You are clearly enjoying being there and are right to be so proud of it because you play a big part in making it such a happy place! Here are the things I think are best about you school. • The outstanding care that you receive from all the staff. • The excellent opportunities you have to take part in sporting and adventurous activities. • You do well in your work because you are well taught. • You are keen to learn and to take on more responsibility in school. • You get on well with each other and are growing up into confident young people and know

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

how to keep healthy, safe and fit. • The curriculum is exciting and helps to make the learning fun. • Your headteacher, staff and governors are doing a good job. Even in a good school like yours there is always something that could be better. I have asked the staff and headteacher to give some of you harder work in your writing, so that you can reach the same good standards that you do in reading. This means that you will be set more difficult targets to achieve. I hope you will all work really hard to get better and make more progress in writing. With very best wishes for your future success, Yours sincerely Sheila Mawer Lead inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Flookburgh CofE Primary School, 14 °15 March 2007

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