Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School

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119458 Unique Reference Number Blackburn with Darwen Local Authority 291426 Inspection number 22 °23 November 2006 Inspection dates George Crowther 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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Turncroft Road School address Primary Type of school Darwen, Lancashire Voluntary aided School category BB3 2BW 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01254 701299 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01254 761873 Fax number 271 Number on roll (school) Rev Andrew Holliday Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Ruth Bessant Headteacher 1 November 2002 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 291426 22 °23 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

St Peter’s is an average sized primary school. Its social context is similar to that of most schools, but it is declining. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is below average. Pupils’ attainment when they start school is about average, but it varies from year-to-year. The proportion with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is about average. Almost all the pupils are from White British backgrounds. Of those from minority ethnic heritages, very few are at the early stages of learning English. Over the past few years, the stability of the school has been affected by many staff changes.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006

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Grade: 3

St Peter’s effectiveness is satisfactory. The school has made good progress since the last inspection and now has a number of strengths that were not present then. The headteacher and staff have created a positive environment in which pupils enjoy their learning and want to do well. The results of the Year 6 national tests are on an upward trend. After many changes, the staff team is now more settled. These factors give the school a satisfactory capacity to take the next step in its improvement. The school provides satisfactory value for money. Children start school with average attainment. Satisfactory provision in the Foundation Stage enables them to make steady progress. By the time they join Year 1, standards are average. During Years 1 to 6, progress continues to be satisfactory. An exception was in 2006 when the Year 6 pupils did well to reach above average standards. Across the school, standards in writing are not as good as in other aspects of pupils’ work.

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Grade: 3

Pupils of all abilities and backgrounds make similar progress, but in a few lessons more able pupils are not always challenged sufficiently. Pupils’ personal development is good. The pupils like being at school and say their teachers make lessons interesting. Most behave well, but a few boys find it difficult to do so all the time. Pupils have a strong sense of contributing to the school community and value good links with the church. The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory, but there are weaknesses in some lessons because tasks and methods are not always tailored well enough to pupils’ needs. Occasionally, pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities do not make as much progress as they could because the adults who work with them are not sufficiently aware of their current needs. The curriculum is satisfactory. It is well planned, with a particular strength in the wide range of extra activities that enliven learning. Good levels of care support

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Grade: 3

pupils’ understanding of how to keep safe and be healthy. The headteacher is a determined leader who has guided the school well through turbulent times over the past few years. There is a great desire to do the best for the pupils, and initiatives to support their personal development have been implemented successfully. As yet, however, the focus on raising achievement is not sharp enough. The school is not making best use of the information it has about pupils’ progress to pinpoint and tackle potential underachievement. The school’s evaluation of its own work has weaknesses. It is too positive because it focuses on improvements in the school’s provision and not the impact these are having on pupils’ achievement.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards in writing throughout the school. • Increase the proportion of lessons in which the quality of teaching is good or better so that all pupils make the progress of which they are capable. • Ensure that staff who work with pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully aware of their current needs. 2 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006 • Choose areas for development that are sharply focused on improving aspects of pupils’ achievement.

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Grade: 3

Pupils’ achievement is satisfactory and not as good as the school’s evaluation. Since the last inspection, a rising trend in the Year 6 test results shows that there have been improvements in teaching and learning. Pupils are doing better, but still not as well as they could. When pupils start school, attainment is about average. They make satisfactory progress and usually reach broadly average standards by Year 6. Children make satisfactory progress in the Reception classes and, by the time they join Year 1, standards are about average. Progress from Year 1 to Year 6 is satisfactory. The Year 2 and Year 6 national test results have been broadly average for the past few years, as are current standards. The exception was in 2006 when the Year 6 pupils did well to reach above average standards. This was a more able group that made particularly good progress in Year 6. Across the school, standards in writing are not as good as in other aspects

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Grade: 3

of pupils’ work. This is because writing activities are not always challenging enough, and teachers are not making clear to pupils what they need to do to improve. Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities make steady progress in most lessons, because they receive sensitive support.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development has improved since the last inspection because the school now has many more ways of encouraging positive attitudes. The pupils enjoy school. One pupil commented, ‘I like lessons because they’re fun and we do lots of creative things.’ Pupils generally behave well, but there are a few boys whose erratic behaviour can hold back their learning. Relationships are positive. Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pupils have a thorough understanding of their own well-being. They know how to make healthy choices in the food they eat and the exercise they take. They feel safe in school because, if they have a concern, they know the adults will help them. They have a strong sense of being part of the community. They say staff respond to the school council’s views; for example, in improving the range of activities at playtime. Older pupils have special responsibilities, such as acting as play leaders for the younger

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Grade: 2

ones. 3 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006

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Grade: 3

The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory, and good in some classes. It is not as strong as the school’s evaluation. Lessons usually have a good variety of tasks to capture the pupils’ interest. Good relationships help teachers to organise and manage lessons effectively. The good teaching has a pace and urgency that encourages pupils to make rapid progress. Where there are weaknesses, whole-class sessions last too long, the pupils begin to lose interest, and the more able, in particular, are not challenged sufficiently. In some lessons, the tasks pupils are given to work on independently lack challenge for them. Occasionally, too much time is taken ensuring that all the pupils are concentrating on the task in hand. The school has extensive systems for checking on pupils’ progress. There are examples of this information being used well to support pupils at risk of underachieving. In lessons, however, the information is not always used effectively to ensure that work

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Grade: 3

is best matched to pupils’ needs. Setting targets for the next steps in learning, and involving pupils in assessing their own work and progress are developing well.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory, but not as strong as the school’s evaluation. It is well planned to cover all subjects of the National Curriculum. Planning for the mixed age classes is successful in checking that pupils do not repeat or miss topics. Children’s learning in the Foundation Stage is supported effectively by many opportunities for stimulating play, both inside and outside. Literacy and numeracy skills are developed well in other subjects, but a lack of resources in classrooms reduces opportunities for extending information and communication technology skills. Pupils appreciate the opportunities for discussion in their weekly personal development lessons. They act on the advice given and this leads to a harmonious and friendly community. The curriculum is enriched by a good range of visits, visitors and clubs. During the inspection, a self-defence instructor worked with every class guiding them on keeping

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Grade: 3

safe. Provision for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is satisfactory. Pupils with a statement of special educational need do well because of very effective support from teaching assistants. Other pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities do not always do as well as they could because staff do not make enough use of pupils’ individual education plans to guide their teaching or to check on progress.

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Grade: 2

Levels of care are very good. Pupils receive individual support in a range of circumstances because staff know them very well and the school has good systems to provide extra care, when needed. For example, a teaching assistant provided very good 4 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006 support for two pupils at the early stages of learning English. The Pink Slip system ensures effective monitoring and tracking of pastoral issues. The learning mentor provides sensitive support for vulnerable pupils. Pupils feel safe in school. Worry Boxes in classrooms provide reassurance for pupils who have personal problems or who may need confidential support. All staff are trained in child protection. All statutory requirements regarding safeguarding children are in place. Risk assessments are robust, even to the extent of staff training in manual lifting techniques. Governors monitor

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Grade: 2

the site at regular intervals for health and safety hazards. Academic support and guidance are satisfactory. Pupils have targets to guide their learning, but some teachers make better use of them than others.

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory and not as strong as the school’s evaluation. The headteacher is a good leader who has the support of everyone in the school community. During a period of many changes, she has been successful in improving pupils’ behaviour and personal development and establishing a positive environment for learning. Closer attention is now being focused on raising pupils’ achievement. Self-evaluation has weaknesses because too much weight has been given to improvements since the last inspection, which have been good, and too little to their impact on pupils’ achievement, which is still satisfactory. This has led the school to judge some satisfactory aspects of its work as good. Nevertheless, improved monitoring is helping the school to gain a better picture of areas that require attention. As yet, this information is not reflected fully in the school’s improvement plan. In practice,

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Grade: 3

however, subject leaders are putting in place some effective actions that are starting to raise standards. The views of parents, pupils and other members of the school community are sought and acted upon. The school is successful in ensuring that all pupils are fully involved in learning and school life, whatever their background, ability or particular needs. Governors are supportive of the school and its values. They take a keen interest in many aspects of school, but they do not have a sharp enough focus on whether pupils are doing as well as they should. 5 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 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: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 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? 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?

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: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 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: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School Turncroft Road Darwen Lancashire BB3 2BW 29 November 2006 Dear Children Thank you for making us feel so welcome, and for being helpful, when we visited your school to find out how well you are doing. There are lots of good things about your school, but we also found some ways in which we think it could be even better. The strengths we found are: • your school is a happy place where everyone is friendly and you all get on well together • you enjoy the work in lessons and you try hard to do your best • we saw some good teaching, which helped you to learn quickly • many of you have special jobs, which help you to feel part of the community • the older children do a good job acting as play leaders for the younger ones • there are lots of interesting things to do in lessons • you enjoy the activities outside lessons, particularly the visits and clubs • most of you are well behaved and polite to visitors

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

• you like the way the staff take great care to make sure you are safe and happy. We would like you to work with your teachers to improve the way you learn. • The standard of your writing has improved but it could be even better. We have asked your teachers to give you challenging activities that help you to improve your writing. You must try hard to make your writing better. • Occasionally in lessons, your teachers do not choose the best activities to help you learn as quickly as you can. We’ve asked them to make sure the work helps you to improve. You must try hard and work as quickly as you can. • Some of you find learning difficult and you get special support. We’ve asked your teachers to make sure you do the best activities in lessons to help you improve. • Your teachers try new ways of helping you to learn quickly. We have asked them to check that these work really well for you and, if they don’t, to try some other ways to help you

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

be successful. Thank you for helping us with the inspection of your school. Yours sincerely George CrowtherJennie PlattJoe Clark Lead InspectorTeam InspectorTeam Inspector 9 Inspection Report: Darwen St Peter's Church of England Primary School, 22 °23 November 2006

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