Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School

Inspection Report Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School

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119558 Unique Reference Number Lancashire Local Authority 291460 Inspection number 6 °7 February 2007 Inspection dates Lynne Read 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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Mill Street School address Primary Type of school Preesall, Poulton-le-Fylde Voluntary aided School category Lancashire, FY6 0NN 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01253 810324 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01253 810324 Fax number 132 Number on roll (school) Cllr Gordon McCann Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mr John Belshire Headteacher 1 June 2002 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 291460 6 °7 February 2007 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: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

This smaller than average primary school serves a very wide area and pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds. The proportion of pupils claiming free school meals is below average. When children enter the Reception class their levels of development is around the average. There is a lower percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities than seen in most schools. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage with a very few having African, Asian or European backgrounds. At the time of the inspection, the headteacher had been in post for four terms. Pre-school and after-school care groups are provided on the premises; both are run independently by management committees.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Grade: 3

Preesall Fleetwood’s Charity Primary is a satisfactory school and has some good features. It provides satisfactory value for money. The overall judgement is lower than the school’s own evaluation of its performance which is largely based on the improving provision in school. It does not take enough account of the standards pupils reach and how well they achieve. Managers and staff have developed good partnerships with other schools and agencies that provide additional experiences and expertise to support pupils’ development. The vast majority of parents have confidence in the school and praise the approachability of staff. Children make good progress in the Reception class from an average starting point. By Year 6 standards are average, although they have declined over the last two years. Pupils achieve satisfactorily in Key Stages 1 and 2. In order to improve standards and achievement, the new headteacher has introduced procedures to track learning. The

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Grade: 3

information gathered is used to set expectations of what each pupil should achieve for the next year and to provide extra work to support pupils in achieving their learning goals. Convincing records for this academic year, together with observations made during the inspection, show that pupils are making better progress and that the under-achievement from previous years has been addressed. Personal development is good. Pupils have good attitudes to learning and enjoy their lessons. They carry out their responsibilities diligently and play a part in decision making through their pupil and eco councils. This helps them to contribute to the school community and prepares them effectively for life in the wider world. Teaching is satisfactory overall and is good in the Reception class, for older juniors and for those pupils who have learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD). Teachers now have higher expectations of what pupils can achieve, although these are not

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Grade: 3

reflected in every lesson and more able pupils are not always presented with sufficient challenge. The curriculum is satisfactory and there is a good range of enrichment through visits, visitors and the interesting environmental projects. Pupils often use their reading and computer skills across the curriculum but opportunities for them to consolidate their writing are insufficient. Throughout school, a good emphasis on personal and health education ensures that pupils maintain a healthy lifestyle. They say that they feel safe and secure and free from any form of intimidation. Leadership and management are satisfactory. Managers and governors are effective in checking the qualifications and suitability of staff. Good improvements in monitoring performance in English and mathematics have been introduced so managers have a good overview of strengths and where further improvement is needed. However, this

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Grade: 3

effective system does not cover science. The headteacher provides good leadership; he has generated good teamwork and a strong commitment to raising attainment. Satisfactory improvements have been made since the previous inspection and some good improvements made over the last four terms in teaching, the curriculum and management. The full impact of this work has yet to materialise. The capacity for further improvement is satisfactory. 2 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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What the school should do to improve further

Improve standards and achievement by: • ensuring that the more able pupils are consistently challenged in all lessons; • increasing opportunities for pupils to use their writing skills across the curriculum. • Extend the new systems for monitoring and evaluating performance to cover science.

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Grade: 3

Pupils’ achievement is satisfactory and they reach average standards by the end of Year 2 and Year 6. Children enter the Reception class with broadly average levels of knowledge and skills for their age. They make good progress because they are well taught. By the end of Reception, their attainment is above average., although this has not always been the case in past years. Children make satisfactory progress in Key Stage 1. In the juniors, there are some differences in progress between subjects and year groups. Progress is better for English than for science and mathematics, where fewer pupils attain the higher levels. Reading is stronger than writing. Year 6 pupils make good progress because work is constantly matched to their abilities. The movement of pupils in and out of school during the junior years and weak systems to detect or correct pupils under-achievement early enough have led to a recent dip

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Grade: 3

in standards. Catch-up programmes introduced in 2005/2006 are beginning to tackle the problem. Pupils made good progress in Year 6 and the school met its targets at level 4, but few pupils attained the higher level 5 and targets were not met here. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD), and those from the different ethnic groups make satisfactory progress.

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Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal development and well-being, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, are good and strengths of the school. Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe and secure. They are happy and confident learners who behave well and try hard. Pupils say isolated incidents of bullying are dealt with promptly. Attendance is above average. Spiritual and moral development is continually supported by the school’s Christian ethos, links with the church and in assemblies. The work of the ‘eco council’ results in pupils having a good awareness of, and respect for, the natural world. There is a strong community spirit in school with pupils collecting for charities, volunteering to become ‘helpers’ or members of the school council. These activities prepare them well for future education and work, as well as promoting a good sense of citizenship. Pupils’ 3 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Grade: 2

understanding of local and national culture is good and links with a Kenyan school give them a view of life in other countries. They are less aware of the different cultures within British society. The Healthy Schools Award recognises pupils’ good understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy the fruit provided and take full advantage of the good range of physical activities arranged. The before-school ‘wake and shake’ sessions are run by pupils themselves and are a popular way of starting the day.

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory overall. They are good, and sometimes outstanding, in the Reception class where very good challenges promote good progress. Pupils with LDD benefit from good support and helpful advice so they learn well. Teaching is also good for the older juniors. Many lessons include a good amount of practical and oral work which appeals to the more active learners and promotes enjoyment generally. Some good ‘catch-up’ programmes help to boost learning for pupils who have not met their expected learning goals. Good use is made of teachers’ specialist skills so pupils benefit from good lessons in French, mathematical problem solving, drama and music. Many worthwhile improvements have been made in teaching but they are not consistently embedded across all classes. In most lessons, tasks are set at different levels of difficulty but they do not always challenge the more able pupils fully, especially

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Grade: 3

in mathematics. In science, work is sometimes set at one level with recording done on worksheets which restricts opportunities for independent thinking. The quality of marking varies. There is generally much praise for good work and helpful advice is sometimes included, but not frequently enough in some cases. Teachers have varying expectations regarding the standard of presentation; some accept poor handwriting or work that is crossed out and untidy.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory with good enrichment for learning. Work in the Reception class is very stimulating and includes plenty of opportunities for children to find things out for themselves. There is an innovative ‘outdoor’ curriculum for all ages which includes use of the nature trail, outdoor classroom and growing areas. During the inspection, children enjoyed a ‘bird watch’ project in lessons and playtimes. Throughout the school, a new planning system links subjects together. It provides good opportunities for pupils to practise and consolidate their reading and computer skills. However, there is scope to extend the use of writing across the curriculum. Planning meets the needs of pupils with LDD but does not consistently provide sufficient challenge for the more able. 4 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007 Profitable links with schools and outside agencies provide good enrichment for learning.

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Grade: 3

For example, sessions at the secondary school promote pupils’ design and computer skills and countryside rangers help to maintain the extensive outside learning areas. Swimming, popular sports clubs and physical education lessons support pupils’ enthusiasm for keeping fit. Visits to places of interest, together with themed or activity weeks, broaden pupils’ horizons and develop their social skills well.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. Staff know the pupils well and are fully committed to their welfare. Procedures for child protection, vetting staff and eliminating possible risks to safety are good. Reception children are helped to settle quickly. Good links between the pre-school group leader and the Reception class teacher lead to easy sharing of facilities, information and expertise. This is already having a positive impact on developing early learning skills. Pupils’ progress is promoted well through the newly developed learning goals which provide good guidance for pupils on how to improve. They are effectively promoting progress but the system has not, as yet, had time to make an impact on standards. The goals are constantly reviewed and pupils are encouraged to evaluate their own progress towards the targets set. This is promoting good skills of independent learning, but in some classes there are few references to the goals in teachers’ marking. Pupils

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Grade: 2

with LDD have very useful targets for learning and receive good support and resources to help them in working towards them.

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Grade: 3

Leadership and management are satisfactory. The new headteacher, well supported by the deputy headteacher, has introduced important improvements in teaching, learning, tracking progress and guidance for pupils. The management task groups for English and mathematics have established processes to evaluate performance and as a result clearly know the strengths and weaknesses in their subjects. This good system has not yet been extended to science. Among staff, there is good teamwork and a strong commitment to raising standards and improving achievement. The headteacher provides good leadership. He is instrumental in driving the school forwards and in maintaining the good, caring ethos shared by all adults. The school development plan is clearly focused on improving pupils’ academic development. Governance is satisfactory and all statutory requirements are met. The governors are supportive and are actively involved, for example in the subject task groups. They are

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Grade: 3

aware that they now need to take a more active role in monitoring standards and achievement. 5 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007 .

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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: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 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 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 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 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: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 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? 8 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School Mill Street Preesall Poulton-le-Fylde Lancashire FY6 0NN 06 February 2007 Dear Pupils Thank you very much for the warm welcome and for helping me when I came to visit your school. I would like to tell you what I found out. Preesall Fleetwood’s Charity Church of England School is a friendly place and your behaviour is good. Your teachers and families can be proud of you. You enjoy your learning and take good advantage of the many opportunities for physical exercise and sport. I think the ‘wake and shake’ session is a good way to start the day. It’s good to see how you care for the environment and appreciate the natural world. Your headteacher and staff work hard to make sure you are happy and safe. You like your teachers and I think that encourages you to try hard. Please thank your parents for sending us lots of replies to the questionnaire. They are very pleased with the school and have hardly any

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

criticisms to make. Your teachers have made some good improvements recently. Because of these your progress in lessons is getting better - well done. With continued hard work you can do even better so your teachers will be looking to see if this happens. I know that some of you enjoy extra challenges so I have asked your teachers to make sure that these are always included in your lessons. I also think that you could have more time to practise your writing, for example in history or geography lessons. Your teachers agree and so will be making some changes. You can help to maintain the good standards in school by continuing to work hard in class. You have good attitudes to learning that should support you well in the future. Thank you once again for the interesting conversations I had and for letting me know your views so clearly. Please accept my best wishes for the future. Yours sincerely, Mrs Lynne Read (Lead inspector)

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

9 Inspection Report: Preesall Fleetwood's Charity Church of England Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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