Eastbury Farm Primary School

Age group 3-11 Inspection date 23 May 2007 Inspection number 290767 Unique Reference Number 117245 Local Authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 290767 Inspection date 23 May 2007 Reporting inspector Philip Mann HMI

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

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Type of school Primary School category Community Age range of pupils 3-11 Gender of pupils Mixed

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Number on roll

Appropriate authority Governing Body Chair Mr Ivor Kyte Headteacher Mr Peter Biddick Date of previous school inspection 30 October – 1 November 2002

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Number on roll

School address Bishops Avenue Northwood Middlesex HA6 3DG

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Number on roll

Telephone number 01923 824543 Fax number 01923 842450 Eastbury Farm Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery School Inspection report Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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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Number on roll

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. Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated achievement in mathematics as a prime focus, gathering evidence from observations of teaching and learning, discussions with pupils, a review of their work and discussions with staff and governors. 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.

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Description of the school

Eastbury Farm Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery School is larger than average. The children’s starting points in the Nursery are generally similar to those of similar age. An average number of pupils experience learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The proportion entitled to free school meals is below the national average. The majority of pupils are White British but about a third come from a range of different minority ethnic backgrounds. The proportion of pupils whose mother tongue is not English is similar to that found in most schools with a very small number of pupils at the early stages of language acquisition in English.

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Key for inspection grades

Grade 1 Outstanding Grade 2 Good Grade 3 Satisfactory Grade 4 Inadequate Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school where all learners are treated equally within a climate of care and trust. The school’s view of itself is generally accurate but it should be more confident about stating how good it is because in fact it is outstanding in most aspects of its work. This is supported by the overwhelming majority of parents with comments such as, ‘The school is outstanding because the teaching is excellent and children are very well motivated.’ and, ‘There is a real sense of care and community in the school.’ Such strength of feeling is further confirmed by the very large number of parents who give freely of their time to support the school for the benefit of all pupils.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

Achievement in many areas is excellent. Children enter the Nursery class at levels generally equal to those normally expected. Very good provision throughout the Foundation Stage classes ensures all children make good progress to attain standards above that expected by the time they start Year 1. Very good teaching throughout the rest of the school means that achievement and standards in English, mathematics and science are outstanding by the time pupils move on to secondary school. This is confirmed by the 2006 national tests and current teacher assessments. Basic skills in literacy and numeracy are taught especially well and over a half of pupils in Year 6 attain the higher Level 5 in English, mathematics and science. The inspection focused on the progress of pupils in mathematics. It found that very successful strategies have been implemented to increase the level of pupil achievement and especially that of girls who state they now find learning in this

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

subject fun. This success is due to excellent leadership and management at all levels, the very good teaching of investigative activities and increased opportunities for pupils to solve problems for themselves.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

Pupils’ personal development and well-being are outstanding. This is because equality is promoted well and diversity is celebrated effectively through the school’s outstanding provision for the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. As a result, all pupils display excellent attitudes towards learning at all levels. Relationships between themselves and adults are very positive. There is a high degree of racial harmony, attendance is good and pupils state that they love coming to school. Behaviour is excellent and there is an absence of bullying. All pupils display very positive attitudes towards living healthily. Citizenship skills are developed very well through activities such as the school council. Pupils speak very positively about the exceptional level of care and support that all staff provide for them. Very good assessment procedures ensure that pupils are provided with very effective

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

personal support and their academic progress is monitored very closely. Marking of pupils’ work is regular and fully recognises pupils’ efforts. However, often pupils are not given specific written guidance on what to do next to improve and many are not sure about their targets in mathematics.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

The quality of education is outstanding throughout the school. Teaching and learning in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 is very good with several excellent examples noted. Lessons are very well planned to cater for the needs of the different age groups in each class. Teachers demonstrate a breadth of subject knowledge and questions are used very well to challenge the pupils’ thinking. This is particularly evident in the teaching of mathematics. Resources, such as interactive whiteboards, are used Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007 especially well to make lessons interesting and bring learning to life. The provision for pupils to work with others and solve problems is a real strength.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

The curriculum is broad, balanced and excellent in quality. Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils speak very highly about the extensive range of activities both in and out of lessons planned for them. The beautiful pictures in the style of Monet and finely sculptured model chairs fully exemplify the breadth of work covered. Music and sport are significant strengths. Provision in the Nursery and Reception classes is equally as good. Very detailed planning, thorough use of assessment information and strong teamwork is providing these children with many opportunities for them to achieve in readiness for joining the main school. The support given to pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language is particularly effective.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 1

Outstanding leadership and management are the prime driving forces behind the schools’ success. Procedures for the protection of pupils are very thorough and applied with rigour. Teamwork is a very strong feature where all are encouraged to support self-evaluation and school development. Governance is very good and individual governors make an effective contribution to the school’s continued improvement. Taking all factors into account, the school provides outstanding value for money and its capacity for further improvement is excellent.

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What the school should do to improve further

 Ensure that marking of pupils’ work in mathematics effectively identifies what pupils need to do next to improve.

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procedures set out in the guidance 'Complaining about inspections', which is available

from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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1

The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements 1

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How good is the overall personal development and well-being of the learners? 1

The extent of learners’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community 1 How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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1

Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements? Yes Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? No

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1

1 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.

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Middlesex. HA6 3DG

I really enjoyed visiting your school and I would like to thank you all for making me so welcome during the day.

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Middlesex. HA6 3DG

It is clear to me that you love being at school. This is because many of you said that the teachers provide many exciting activities for you to do. I agree with you because during my visit I saw so many excellent things going on in lessons and around the school. In fact, the school is outstanding in nearly everything it does. This is because the headteacher leads the school very well and everybody works together to provide you with the best education possible. Your behaviour is excellent and there is such a happy atmosphere around the school. It is a pleasure to see you all playing and working together as one happy community.

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Middlesex. HA6 3DG

You told me that the teachers make lessons fun and exciting. This is because they use the interactive whiteboards very well to teach new things to you and they set work that is not too difficult nor too easy for you to complete. They all mark your work regularly and congratulate you when you have done good work. However, not all teachers write comments in your books that tell you what you need to do next to improve. This is something they are going to try and be better at.

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Middlesex. HA6 3DG

All of the staff take a great interest in the progress you make at school. They carefully listen to what you have to say about how the school can be made even better. The Friendship Bench, Huff and Puff equipment and healthier food are just three of the improvements that you have had a say in.

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Middlesex. HA6 3DG

Once again, thank you for making me feel so welcome and good luck for the future.

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