Sprowston Infant School

Inspection Report Sprowston First School

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120853 Unique Reference Number NORFOLK Local Authority 291882 Inspection number 9 °10 January 2007 Inspection dates Robert McKeown HMI 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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Recreation Ground Road School address First Type of school Sprowston, Sprowston Community School category Norwich, Norfolk NR7 8EW 4 °8 Age range of pupils 01603 429001 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01603 485461 Fax number 236 Number on roll (school) Mrs C Jackson Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Ms L Wayman Headteacher 16 September 2002 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 291882 9 °10 January 2007 4°8 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 over two days by one of Her Majesty's Inspectors and one Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

Sprowston First School is an average size community primary school situated to the north of Norwich, in Norfolk. Almost all pupils are from White British backgrounds. One pupil is at the early stages of learning to speak English as an additional language. The percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals is lower than average. The number of pupils with learning difficulties is typical for this size of school. Two pupils have statements of special educational need. Children start school with skills and standards which match those expected for their age. The school has recently gained the local authority Early Years achievement mark. The headteacher has led the school for five years. In September 2007 the school will become an infant school.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007

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Grade: 3

Sprowston First School provides its pupils with a satisfactory education. Parents' views of the school are mostly positive and many parents are pleased with the education their children receive. Some aspects of the school's work are good and improvements have been made since the last inspection. The school achieves satisfactory value for money. One of the successes of the school is the strong commitment to pupils' personal development. Pupils say they enjoy coming to school and feel safe when they are there. Relationships between adults and pupils are good. Behaviour is good and staff provide a high level of care and support. The school gives suitable prominence to the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Participation in class and school council discussions enable pupils to become involved in decision making and good links with other schools help prepare older pupils well for the future. Standards and achievement are satisfactory overall. They are good in the Foundation

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Grade: 3

Stage where the quality of teaching and learning is consistently good. The school does not capitalise fully on the good start children receive in the Reception classes and in Year 1. Progress in the older classes is mostly satisfactory. Although many pupils reach the expected level by the end of Year 2, there are not enough pupils reaching the higher Levels 2b and 3. Suitable emphasis is given to ensuring pupils with lower ability make good progress. The school acknowledges that more able pupils could achieve more and reach higher standards. The quality of teaching while never less than satisfactory is not consistently good in the older classes. More challenge is needed in some lessons to help pupils achieve higher standards. Improvements and greater consistency are also required in teachers' assessments and marking. Regular monitoring of lessons with detailed feedback would help improve the overall quality of lessons. The curriculum is good and engages pupils

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Grade: 3

in a range of interesting and enjoyable learning activities. Leadership and management are satisfactory. The headteacher and staff work well together to provide a very caring and supportive environment in which pupils feel happy and secure. Communication with parents is good. Subject leadership teams have been established but have yet to have an impact on improving the quality of provision or raising standards. Further improvements are required in target setting and tracking pupils' progress, particularly in mathematics. The school's self evaluation of its effectiveness is satisfactory but more positive than some judgements made by inspectors. Governors give the school satisfactory support. The capacity for further improvement is secure.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Ensure teaching is suitably challenging to enable all pupils to reach their capabilities. • Sharpen and improve the consistency of teachers' assessment and marking and engage pupils more in assessing their own learning. 2 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007 • Track pupils' progress more thoroughly, particularly in mathematics by setting targets for pupils' achievement and monitoring progress towards achieving them. • Strengthen the role played by leaders and managers in monitoring and evaluating teaching and learning.

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Grade: 3

Standards and achievement are satisfactory. Progress for children in the Foundation Stage is good. This is because teachers plan well matched learning experiences for all children. The Foundation Stage Profile for 2006 indicated that standards at the end of Reception were above the local authority and national averages in all six areas of learning. Boys and girls' achievements were similar except in communication, language and literacy, where girls did better. The school does not capitalise fully on the good start children receive in Reception. In 2006, pupils' attainment in Year 2 was below that seen nationally at the higher levels. Performance in reading was better than it was in writing and mathematics. Action taken by the school to improve the teaching of phonics, and to help some pupils to catch up in reading, has been successful. The progress made by pupils with learning difficulties and the one pupil at the early stages

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Grade: 3

of learning English is good. Standards in science at the end of Year 2 in 2006 were in line with national levels. Standards and achievement in information and communication technology (ICT) have improved since the last inspection.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development and well-being are good. Attendance is satisfactory, although too many pupils arrive late for school. Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are good. Pupils know that bullying is unacceptable and will be dealt with promptly. The school has recently held an anti bullying week to reinforce the importance of good relationships and staying safe. Pupils are also aware that making racist remarks is unacceptable and that they should report any they hear. Pupils are aware of the importance of eating healthy foods and taking exercise. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is good. Cultural development has improved since the last inspection and is now good. Changes to the curriculum have helped pupils gain a better understanding of some world religions, languages and other cultures. Assemblies engage pupils well and give them a chance for reflection. In class discussions and personal, social and health education lessons, pupils are also able to reflect on their

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Grade: 2

actions and how these affect others. School council members organise fundraising events and consider ways of improving the school environment. Pupils learn to help others by raising funds for international charities, such as sponsoring a child in Haiti. 3 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007

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Grade: 3

Across the school teaching is satisfactory. Some teaching is good and none is inadequate. Teaching is better in Reception and Year 1 and this is where pupils make more progress. In the best lessons activities are well matched to pupils' needs and this is usually linked to more effective assessment. In these lessons teachers make good use of resources, practical aids and ICT to support learning. Relationships are good and, as a result, pupils behave well and enjoy their lessons. In the weaker lessons, pupils are not always as engaged in their learning and teaching does not fully challenge the brightest pupils. The way teachers assess pupils' work varies between classes. This is evident during lessons as well as in the quality of marking in pupils' books. The school recognises this as well as the need to set challenging individual targets in Years 1, 2 and 3 to help pupils build on their earlier learning. Pupils are not often encouraged

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Grade: 3

to evaluate their own work or that of others in the class. The presentation and handwriting in older pupils' books requires improvement. Teaching assistants are effectively deployed. They give good support for pupils with learning difficulties particularly when dealing with individuals and small groups.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. It is carefully organised to ensure a smooth transition from the successful Foundation Stage and to give continuity through Years 1, 2 and 3. It is based on a programme of integrated topics. These cover all the required subjects with particular emphasis on English and mathematics, and provide a range of interesting experiences including Spanish. New developments such as the installation of interactive whiteboards have improved provision in ICT. A good range of popular and often over-subscribed clubs are offered after school which successfully develop pupils' interests and skills. In addition, pupils take part in a number of interesting visits. These, along with events such as the creative arts afternoons, add to the richness of the activities provided. Provision for pupils with lower attainment and those with learning difficulties is good. This enables them to make good and sometimes very good progress,

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Grade: 2

particularly in reading. The school is beginning to explore ways of improving provision for more able pupils and pupils with particular talents, for example through the recent film making experience provided for a group of pupils in Year 2.

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Grade: 2

The school provides a safe and secure environment. Pupils are well cared for and the support they receive from teachers and teaching assistants makes an important contribution to their learning. Safeguarding pupils, child protection and health and safety procedures are securely in place and vulnerable pupils are quickly identified 4 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007 and supported effectively. The school works well with other agencies to ensure that wherever necessary pupils and their families get the help they need. Parents generally are appreciative of the care and guidance given to their children. In Reception, teachers set individual targets to help pupils improve their social skills as well as make progress in their learning. Older pupils do not get this sort of guidance. Individual education plans provide good support for pupils with learning difficulties, particularly in reading,

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Grade: 2

and clear and helpful advice for teaching assistants. However, they rarely focus on helping pupils to improve their mathematics.

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Grade: 3

The headteacher leads and manages the school effectively. The school has experienced many changes in the last year including changes in staff and the impending change of school status. New staff settle in well and are given suitable support by their colleagues. Good leadership is provided by the Foundation Stage leader who shares her expertise with other schools. The special educational needs coordinator manages the support programmes for pupils with learning difficulties well. Performance management is in place but too few formal observations of teaching and learning are carried out by the headteacher and senior leaders to enable them to secure improvements in the overall quality of teaching and learning. Further improvements are required in target setting and tracking pupils' progress so that leaders and managers can set challenging targets and identify how much progress pupils are making in each

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Grade: 3

class. There are good links established with other schools and play groups through learning network and transition activities. A useful, recently produced governor information booklet sets out governors' responsibilities and priorities. Although some governors visit the school regularly, visit records do not record what questions governors might ask to promote a discussion on school improvement. Governors believe that they need to know more about how well pupils are doing as they move through the school. 5 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 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: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 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 3 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: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 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: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

11 January 2007 Dear Children Sprowston First School, Recreation Ground Road, Sprowston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 8EW Thank you for helping us with our inspection work when we visited your school. We enjoyed the two days we spent with you. We enjoyed talking to you about the things you do at Sprowston. The school council has some good ideas for helping others and for improving the school environment. We thought your behaviour was good and you listened well in assemblies. There are lots of interesting things for you to do in lessons and in the school clubs. We like the ideas of having creative afternoons, learning to speak Spanish and finding out about life in other countries. We are pleased that you know that bullying is not acceptable and that it is better to care for each other and be friendly. Ms Wayman and all the adults clearly care for you very well and want you to be successful. At the end of the inspection, we asked your teachers to make sure that you all learn as much

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

as you can in lessons. We also asked them to get you thinking and talking about how you can improve your work. We asked Ms Wayman to keep a check on how well you are doing in your lessons and keep a close eye on your progress from year to year, especially in mathematics. You have a lot to look forward to in the rest of the year, I hope you enjoy it. With best wishes, Rob McKeown Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools 9 Inspection Report: Sprowston First School, 9 °10 January 2007

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