Great Massingham CofE Primary School

Inspection Report Great Massingham Church of England Primary School

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121087 Unique Reference Number NORFOLK Local Authority 292001 Inspection number 11 °12 December 2006 Inspection dates Tricia Pritchard 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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Weasenham Road School address Primary Type of school Great Massingham, Great Massingham Voluntary controlled School category

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King's Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2EY 4 °11 Age range of pupils

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01485 520362 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01485 520362 Fax number 45 Number on roll (school) Mr Malcolm Hipkin Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Martin Etheridge Headteacher 15 November 1999 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 292001 11 °12 December 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 one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.

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Description of the school

This is a small rural school situated about twelve miles from King's Lynn. There are twice as many boys as girls on roll. A quarter of the pupils have special educational needs, of which four pupils have statements of special educational needs. These figures are above average. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is low and there are no pupils with English as an additional language. A higher than average number of pupils join the school part way through their primary education.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006

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Grade: 3

Great Massingham Primary School is a small school with fluctuating numbers in each year group. Together with a high level of pupil mobility, this presents challenges for class organisation. This year, the issue has been successfully addressed by having two Key Stage 2 classes every morning. Thus, for half of the week, pupils in Key Stage 2 benefit from the personal attention offered by being taught in very small groups. The pupils' personal development and well-being are good and pupils enjoy coming to school. They are well cared for and feel safe. Teaching assistants are well deployed, particularly to support pupils with special educational needs. Pupils' achievement overall is satisfactory. Their attainment on entry is usually well below average. They make satisfactory progress in the Reception year. Performance in English, mathematics and science at the end of Year 2 and Year 6 has been below the national average in recent years and pupils' progress has also been inadequate.

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Grade: 3

However, there are distinct signs of improvement this year; current pupils are now making satisfactory progress. This improvement is attributable to more thorough tracking of pupils' progress, which has led to the setting of individual targets, and to more focused teaching in literacy and numeracy. Weaknesses in writing are being tackled across the curriculum and pupils' writing is getting better. The school is using the support offered by the local authority to good effect. As a result the intensive programme to raise standards in literacy and numeracy is having a positive impact. Teaching, learning and the curriculum are satisfactory. The grouping of pupils for mathematics and English in Key Stage 2, with one teacher teaching the subject throughout the key stage, is helping to ensure better progression in learning. However, tasks are not always challenging enough for higher attaining pupils and insufficient

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Grade: 3

emphasis is placed on extending pupils' thinking through investigative learning and problem solving. In the Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 class, pupils in the Reception year have too limited access to an activity-based curriculum. Leadership and management, including the school's self-evaluation arrangements, are satisfactory. The headteacher has a substantial teaching commitment which has restricted opportunities to monitor provision. To date, there has been insufficient monitoring of standards and of teaching and learning, but the plans in hand for more regular monitoring are appropriate and have the potential to bring about improvements. The governors are highly committed to the school and to promoting it within the community. The school development plan provides a firm basis on which to raise standards and reflects the school's intention to ensure that this happens. In conjunction with support being given by the local authority, the school is demonstrating that it

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Grade: 3

has the capacity to improve and to meet the aims and objectives of the plan. It offers satisfactory value for money. Although the school's overall effectiveness is satisfactory, standards are low Before its next section 5 inspection, Ofsted inspectors may visit the school to monitor the progress that it has made in remedying this weakness. The school would receive two to five days' notice of such a visit. 2 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

• Raise standards in English, mathematics and science. • Provide more challenging tasks for higher attaining pupils. • Plan more practical, activity-based learning for pupils in the Reception year. • Monitor standards and the quality of teaching and learning more systematically and rigorously.

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Grade: 3

Standards are low at the end of both key stages. Pupils' attainment in writing has been particularly weak although there are definite signs that it is improving. Girls do better than boys. Key factors affecting pupils' attainment and contributing to fluctuating results are the high level of pupil mobility, the proportion of pupils with special educational needs, attainment on entry, which is usually well below average, and the small number of pupils in each year group. During the Reception year, pupils make satisfactory progress, particularly in developing their speaking and social skills. By the end of Year 2, pupils do consistently better in mathematics than in reading and writing. In 2006, higher attaining pupils did well in mathematics and results were in line with the national average; the pupils' performance in reading and writing was below the national average. Pupils with special educational

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Grade: 3

needs make satisfactory progress. Between Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils usually make better progress in mathematics than in English and science. Results fluctuate considerably in Key Stage 2. In 2005, Year 6 pupils attained overall scores which were slightly above the national average but in 2006 results were exceptionally low for English and mathematics, and satisfactory in science. The high mobility of pupils and the significant proportion of pupils with special educational needs were key factors affecting performance in 2006. Past attainment and progress is not a true indicator of the present pupils' progress. An intensive support programme for English and mathematics has just begun and is already having an impact. Pupils' progress and attainment is being tracked more systematically than previously. Teachers are setting pupils challenging targets which focus on what they should, could or must achieve. Currently, pupils are making

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Grade: 3

satisfactory progress in relation to their starting points throughout the school.

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Grade: 2

Pupils enjoy school. The majority are well motivated and keen to learn. The number of pupils who receive awards for good behaviour has increased significantly over the past year. Behaviour is good in lessons and in the playground. Those pupils who present challenging behaviour are targeted and supported effectively. Attendance is in line 3 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006 with the national average although it has dropped slightly this year because too many pupils go on holiday during term time. Pupils' spiritual development is satisfactory and their social, cultural and moral development is good. Pupils settle well in the Reception class. The school has introduced plenty of initiatives to encourage pupils successfully to adopt a healthy lifestyle such as the offer of free fruit at break time. Pupils are self confident and converse easily with adults. This is a real strength. They enjoy taking responsibility.

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Grade: 2

Those on the school council have plenty of ideas for how to improve the school environment.

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Grade: 3

Teaching is satisfactory with some good features. Teachers' planning follows closely national requirements. All teachers are proficient at using information and communication technology (ICT) and particularly the interactive whiteboards to support teaching and learning. There is a calm working atmosphere in the classrooms. The teachers know the pupils well and they group pupils according to their perceived learning needs. Teaching assistants are deployed effectively to support pupils with additional learning needs. However, tasks and activities are not always well differentiated to meet the needs of all pupils and particularly the needs of higher attaining pupils. In whole class lessons, where there is a wide age and ability range of pupils, the teacher's input is not always well pitched to ensure that the youngest pupils fully understand. Until recently, the ongoing monitoring and assessment of pupils'

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Grade: 3

progress throughout the year has not been rigorous enough. The presentation of pupils' work is satisfactory.

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Grade: 3

The planning and organisation of the curriculum are satisfactory. The recent move to a thematic approach is complemented by an appropriate emphasis on teaching English, mathematics and science as separate subjects. The selection of topics is well balanced and responsive to local needs and interests; for example, in 2005, the life of local hero, Admiral Nelson, was the topic focus. These topics are planned well to give pupils more opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences. The timetabling of short sessions every day which focus on improving pupils' reading, writing and spelling performance is a good initiative and having a positive impact on developing pupils' literacy skills. Pupils have extensive opportunities to use and improve their ICT skills using lap top computers but non-fiction library resources are not easily accessible or of high quality. More able pupils have good opportunities to attend an extension

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Grade: 3

programme at the local high school. However, in school, the curriculum provides insufficient opportunities for pupils to extend their thinking skills through investigative 4 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006 work and problem solving. There is scope, too, to plan more practical activities for pupils in the Foundation Stage. The curriculum is enhanced by a range of extra-curricular clubs including an art club, sports coaching, book club and French club. Pupils are encouraged to stay safe and take physical exercise and so Key Stage 2 pupils have access to cycle training and Key Stage 1 pupils to pedestrian training.

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Grade: 2

This is a small rural school where everyone knows one another. There is a good ethos of co-operation and respect. The adult/child ratio is very good. Pupils are well supported pastorally and academically on a day-to-day basis by teachers and teaching assistants. Improving arrangements for tracking progress and setting targets with individual pupils are helping to raise standards. Pupils are well supervised in the playground. Provision for pupils with special educational needs is good and well co-ordinated. The teaching assistants are experienced and offer good quality support, particularly when working with groups and individuals. Liaison with outside agencies, particularly the behaviour support team, has a positive impact on improving the learning environment for all pupils. 'We feel that the school provides a safe and caring environment for our children.' This view expressed by a parent reflects the views of

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Grade: 3

Governance, leadership and management are satisfactory. The headteacher is ably supported by committed staff and governors who take their roles seriously. With so few teaching staff, teachers take on many curricular roles and responsibilities. Until recently, their roles in managing subject development have not been well defined. They have not had sufficient time to monitor standards and teaching and learning within their specific subjects. With the introduction of the intensive support programme, this is changing. Staff and governors have a much greater awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the school than previously. They are well motivated to see improvements in standards and in marketing the school. The self-evaluation document incorporates an honest and open appraisal of the school's strengths and weaknesses although the analysis of the progress and attainment of groups of pupils is not as

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Grade: 3

sharp as it could be. The school development plan is a focused document with clear objectives and clear success criteria. 5 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 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: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 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? 4 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 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: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 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: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

12 December 2006 Dear Pupils Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, Weasenham Road, Great Massingham, Norfolk PE32 2EY Thank you very much for welcoming me to your school when I came to visit. It was good to speak to so many of you and to see you enjoying school. You are very fortunate to be taught in such small classes and I was impressed with your computer skills. I hope that your Australian pen friends respond to your emails. While I was at the school, I looked carefully at your work to see how much progress you are making. You are making satisfactory progress, especially in English, mathematics and science. The quality of your writing has certainly improved this term so keep up the good work! I have suggested to your teachers that they check your progress even more closely so that you are all set challenging tasks and do even better. Your school is well equipped with laptop computers and your teachers and governors know that the library now needs more books and better

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

resources. For the very youngest pupils, I have suggested that they have more opportunities to learn through practical activities. I enjoyed meeting the school council very much. You all have such good ideas for improving the school environment. You are very lucky to live and learn in such a lovely school setting. The behaviour policy is working well, so well done to those who received stickers in assembly for good behaviour and good work. In the playground as well as in school, I noticed how well you look after one another and you are looked after well by your teachers and teaching assistants. They plan interesting lessons for you and the topics each term are chosen to ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to improve your writing. Your headteacher and teachers have lots of well thought out plans to ensure that you do well at Great Massingham School. The governors too are very committed to ensuring you all have

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

a good education and that the school lies at the heart of the community. I hope you had a happy Christmas and that your school play went well. Best wishes Tricia Pritchard Her Majesty's Inspector 9 Inspection Report: Great Massingham Church of England Primary School, 11 °12 December 2006

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