Rawtenstall St Paul's Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School

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119367 Unique Reference Number Lancashire Local Authority 291397 Inspection number 12 °13 October 2006 Inspection dates Jennie Platt 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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Hollin Lane School address Primary Type of school Rawtenstall, Rossendale Voluntary controlled School category Lancashire, BB4 8HT 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01706 215893 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01706 211573 Fax number 262 Number on roll (school) Mr Andrew Dean Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Catherine Grimshaw (Acting) Headteacher

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1 April 2002 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 291397 12 °13 October 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. Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October 2006

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is an average size school. Pupils are taught in nine classes, which include some mixed age classes. The area served by the school is socially and economically similar to the national picture. There has been a big drop in the number of pupils taking a free school meal and this is below average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is below average. A few pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils identified as having learning difficulties and disabilities is average. More pupils move into or out of the school during the school year than is usual. The school holds the national Healthy Schools Award and also has Investors in People status. At the time of the inspection, the school was managed by an acting headteacher, pending a new headteacher starting next term.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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Grade: 3

This is a satisfactory school with some good features. It is a harmonious community based on Christian values. Parents are pleased that their children are happy and grow in confidence during their time in school. The curriculum is good quality. There is always something exciting happening. Consequently, pupils enjoy school and attendance is above average. Good attention is given to pupils’ safety and well being and pupils say they feel secure. They have a good understanding about the importance of keeping healthy. The high priority given to physical education means pupils are very aware of the need to keep fit. Links with the community are good. Pupils raise funds for others eagerly. The balloon race during the inspection united the school in a fun activity, which also raised money for the air ambulance service. Pupils are prepared satisfactorily for the future although skills in literacy could be better.

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Grade: 3

Achievement is satisfactory. When children start school their skills are typical for their age. Provision in the Foundation Stage ensures that children make a secure start with good development in their social skills. Their overall progress is satisfactory and the majority reach the expected goals by the time they start Year 1. Throughout Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils make satisfactory progress and standards are average as pupils leave school. Achievement in reading is better than in writing because basic skills in this aspect of English are not taught systematically through the school. There are recently introduced plans to address this shortcoming. Test results show that boys in Key Stage 1 do not make as much progress as girls. The school’s results in national tests for 11 year olds showed a dip in 2005, but the 2006 results are higher. Improved assessment is having an impact on the progress of more able pupils because

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Grade: 3

teachers are now more alert to their needs. There is now a higher proportion of pupils exceeding the level expected for their age. However, teachers across the school do not consistently challenge these pupils. Teaching and learning are satisfactory. The pace of teaching is too slow in some lessons, reducing the opportunities for learning. Other aspects of teaching are stronger. A positive feature in all lessons is the quality of relationships and the management of behaviour, which lead to positive attitudes and confident pupils. Leadership and management are satisfactory. The acting headteacher is a good leader and parents are pleased with the calm and efficient way she is leading the school. As a result, pupils’ learning has not been disturbed while the school is awaiting the arrival of the new headteacher. Governors are supportive and ensure all statutory requirements are met. Until recently, a core team of staff with management responsibilities have

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Grade: 3

been unsure about their individual roles and responsibilities. Insufficient attention has been given to monitoring and evaluating pupils’ progress, teaching and learning. Consequently, the school has an overly generous view of its effectiveness. Improvement since the last inspection is satisfactory and the school has satisfactory capacity to improve. 2 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards in writing throughout the school and standards achieved by boys in Key Stage 1. • Improve consistency in the pace in lessons and the level of challenge for the more able pupils. • Define management roles and responsibilities more clearly to improve monitoring and evaluation and the implementation of change.

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Grade: 3

Achievement is satisfactory. Children enter the Foundation Stage with standards that are typical for their age. Children are confident speakers and happy working with others. They make satisfactory progress and reach the level expected by the end of the Reception class. Pupils make satisfactory progress in Key Stages 1 and 2. Progress dips in the early part of Key Stage 2 but accelerates with more challenging teaching as pupils move to Years 5 and 6. The school’s results in the Year 6 national tests showed a dip in 2005. The inspection confirms a rise in standards in 2006 although they are higher in reading than in writing overall. In Key Stage 1, boys do not do as well as girls. The school is looking at additional resources and approaches to inspire boys, especially to achieve more in writing. It is too early for these initiatives to have had an impact on standards. The school has improved its assessment procedures and teachers are more aware of

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Grade: 3

the needs of the more able and academically gifted pupils. This improvement is reflected in the 2006 test results which show that more pupils now exceed the level expected for their age. However, not all teachers make enough use of assessment information and some more-able pupils could make better progress. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make satisfactory progress. The school has seen an increase in the number of children in the Foundation Stage who are learning English as an additional language. It is too early to assess their overall progress but effective bi-lingual support is enabling them to settle happily into school and take a full part in activities. Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 September 2006Inspection Report:Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October 20067Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 September 2006

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development and well-being are good. They have a clear understanding that a healthy diet and regular exercise keeps them fit. They are alert to the dangers of drugs, alcohol and smoking and know these affect both their physical and mental well-being. The school’s clear rules and the prompt and effective action taken to deal 3 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October with any form of bullying give pupils a feeling of safety and security. They enjoy coming to school, they have positive attitudes to their work and they behave well. Attendance is above average and has improved since the last inspection. Pupils understand their rights and responsibilities and those of others. They contribute well to the local community through charity work and fundraising. Pupils are prepared satisfactorily for the future. They grow in self-confidence but some need more

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Grade: 2

preparation in developing writing skills. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Social and moral development is especially strong and leads to very good relationships. Pupils play and work together happily. Although the school only has a few pupils from minority ethnic groups, staff use their experience well so that everyone gains a real insight into the beliefs and traditions of others. Opportunities for independent working are limited, especially in the use of information and communication technology (ICT), and the school has this as a priority for improvement.

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory. Pupils enjoy learning because most lessons include a variety of activities that capture their interest. Effective use of the interactive whiteboard makes learning more exciting. Teachers manage pupils’ behaviour well so that learning takes place in an orderly atmosphere. Several pupils identify mathematics as their favourite subject. Lively introductions with quick revision questions and tasks get these lessons off to a brisk start. This pace of learning is not as consistent in other lessons where too much talking leads to pupils losing interest. Teaching of spelling, grammar and punctuation is inconsistent and this hampers progress in writing. A better approach to setting targets for pupils is helping improve this aspect of their learning. In the Foundation Stage, teaching and learning are satisfactory. Teachers have a good understanding of how these children learn and plan a stimulating range of activities.

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Grade: 3

Children enjoy selecting their own activities but a lack of guidance leads to some children being unsure about what they are expected to do or to learn. Letters and sounds are taught well in the Foundation Stage and children use these skills well in their reading and writing. Throughout the school, teachers prepare lessons well with a planned sequence of activities but these are not always tailored to match pupils’ needs. More able pupils, especially, could be challenged more consistently in order to improve their progress. Teaching assistants work well to support specific groups of pupils. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities benefit from good quality individual education plans.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. All the required subjects are taught. Careful planning for mixed age classes means that pupils do not miss or repeat any topics. The Foundation Stage 4 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October curriculum is good because it is active. The school’s attractive outdoor space is used effectively to extend learning across the curriculum. Throughout the school, an effective personal, social and health education programme is followed, which enables pupils to grow in maturity and self-esteem. They appreciate lessons that allow them to discuss their concerns and learn about relationships. A lack of computers in classrooms limits the extension of ICT skills across the curriculum. Good provision is made for pupils’ physical development and pupils enjoy keeping fit and competing against other schools. French and Spanish are taught in the school and this prepares pupils well for the future.

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Grade: 2

Enrichment opportunities are good with a wide range of after-school clubs, which are well attended. Many visits to places of interest make learning more exciting and they are linked successfully to the curriculum. A recent visit to a Manchester museum, for example, broadened pupils’ understanding of Egyptian history and a farm visit for the youngest pupils taught them about animal welfare and husbandry.

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Grade: 3

Care, guidance and support are satisfactory. Pupils are well cared for and feel safe in school. Safeguarding arrangements are in place. Child protection arrangements are well established and understood by all. Risk assessments are robust. Transition arrangements for when pupils start and leave school are good. Pupils receive good support and encouragement to stay healthy through physical exercise, and there is good participation in after-school sport. Close partnership with other agencies enable staff to offer well informed guidance to parents and pupils. Guidance to pupils on how to improve their academic standards is satisfactory. Work is marked regularly but does not always inform pupils enough about what they need to do to improve. The school has made a good start at involving pupils in their own learning by setting them individual targets. As yet, these are not referred to often enough and pupils are not reminded as frequently as they could be about what is

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Grade: 3

The acting headteacher provides good leadership and is maintaining a smooth running school as it awaits the arrival of the new headteacher. Parents and governors appreciate the way she has extended the sharing of information and are very appreciative of the changes made. The acting headteacher is well supported by a team of committed colleagues. This leads to a positive climate for learning and a willingness to move forward. Leaders and managers set clear expectations about the importance of personal development, and this has a positive impact on pupils in this aspect of their learning. Staff contribute their ideas to the school’s self-evaluation. However, staff with management responsibilities were unsure about their roles until recently. They are not clear how they intend to improve aspects judged to be satisfactory, such as provision in the Foundation Stage. Actions are not always linked to their impact on standards.

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Grade: 3

5 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October This has led to insufficient monitoring of the school’s performance and an overly generous view of the school’s effectiveness. Governance is satisfactory. Governors are supportive and check that statutory requirements are met. They ensure that pupils have equal access to the curriculum and recognise that the needs of the more able require more attention. Governors review carefully what is happening in school but are not always involved sufficiently early in decision-making. 6 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October .

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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. 7 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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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? 3 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 2 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?

3 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. 8 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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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? 9 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School Hollin Lane Rawtenstall Rossendale Lancashire BB4 8HT 16 October 2006 Dear Pupils Thank you for the way you welcomed my colleagues and I to your school. How lucky you are to learn in such a friendly school in such a lovely setting. I have never been greeted by geese as I arrived at a school before. We agree that yours is a happy school and you behave well and work hard. You are very caring and eager to help others. I wonder if your school won the balloon competition. Even if you did not, you certainly raised a lot of money for the air ambulance service. Your site supervisor told us it is always a busy school and that is because the teachers plan a good variety of activities for you. We were pleased to see you keeping fit and that you know the importance of keeping safe and healthy. We have asked Mrs Grimshaw and the governors to look at ways to enable you to make even

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

better progress, especially in writing and for the boys in the infant classes. The teachers are also looking how to make your lessons more challenging. You can help by listening carefully and trying your best. We are sure you will have many happy memories of your time at school. We wish you well for the future. Best wishes, Mrs J E Platt, Mrs F Ahmad, Mr J Clark and Mr B Dower Additional Inspectors 10 Inspection Report: Rawtenstall St Paul's Constable Lee Church of England Primary School, 12 °13 October

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