Oakridge Primary School

Inspection Report Oakridge Primary School

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124130 Unique Reference Number Staffordshire Local Authority 292897 Inspection number 1 November 2006 Inspection date Barbara Crane 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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Silvester Way School address Primary Type of school Stafford Community School category ST17 0PR 3 °11 Age range of pupils 01785 354620 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01785 354622 Fax number 243 Number on roll (school) Andrew Chell Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Paul Fisher Headteacher 12 November 2001 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection date Age group 292897 1 November 2006 3 °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 Additional Inspector.

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Description of the school

This is an average sized school on the outskirts of Stafford. Most pupils come from families in favourable circumstances. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is below average. A few pupils have English as an additional language but none are at an early stage of learning English. A Nursery class was introduced in September 2005.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. It prepares pupils very well for the future and parents rightly have a high level of confidence in what the school provides for their children. Pupils' excellent achievement springs from their enjoyment in learning and high quality teaching that gives pupils all they need to succeed. The Nursery and Reception children get a first-rate start to their education and by the time pupils leave the school standards are exceptionally high when compared to national averages. Pupils develop as well-rounded individuals whose outstanding personal development and well-being is underpinned by the excellent level of care, guidance and support provided by the staff. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary and they show a high level of respect for themselves and others. As one pupil put it, 'Choosing to do the right thing gives me a good feeling inside as well as getting me rewards.' Pupils are proud of their school

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Grade: 1

and have a strong sense of responsibility for shaping their community. The school's guiding principle of 'Reach for the stars' is very well represented in all aspects of its daily work and reflected in the aspirations of the pupils and staff. Teachers aim high and use assessments very effectively to plan the next steps in pupils' learning. Pupils know what they need to do to reach their challenging targets. The staff know the pupils very well as individuals and give them very good feedback on how well they are doing. Pupils are involved in checking their own progress from an early age and relish opportunities to use their own ideas, for example when they might use information and communication technology (ICT). In mathematics and science, however, teachers do not always plan sufficient opportunities for pupils to use their initiative in finding ways of solving problems or setting up investigations. An outstanding

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Grade: 1

curriculum gives pupils a wealth of experiences and activities through which they can apply their skills in literacy and numeracy and develop their talents, particularly in sport, art and design and music. The headteacher's drive and enthusiasm inspire the staff and pupils. He leads a talented team who are happy in their work and are committed to getting the best for pupils. Outstanding leadership and management maintain a close focus on improvement and rigorous checks by staff identify where things can improve. People's strengths are very well used at the right times and in the right places to bring about change for the better. This has led to improvements in standards in writing and in boys' achievement. Governors ask the right questions to hold the school to account for its performance and check for themselves how well it is doing.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve pupils' opportunities to use their own ideas in solving problems and investigative work in mathematics and science. 2 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006

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Grade: 1

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. Pupils make excellent progress throughout the school. Children start with above average attainment and most go well beyond the goals expected for their age by the end of the Reception Year. By the end of Year 2 pupils' standards have generally been well above average in recent years and were exceptionally high in 2005. For Year 6 pupils, standards over time have been consistently exceptionally higher than the average. Indications from the 2006 results are that this pattern is being maintained. High quality work in art and design and ICT is evident throughout the school. While pupils show good skills in solving problems in mathematics or investigating in science, the work for pupils sometimes lacks the challenge that they need to do their very best. Pupils with learning difficulties make outstanding progress because of high quality teaching.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They face the future with poise and confidence because they meet with success. There are very warm relationships between pupils of different ages and backgrounds. Pupils say that it is easy to make friends and they value the benefits of working together. This was well exemplified by a group of Year 5 pupils who said that they had 'faced their fears together' on a residential visit that tested their skills in adventurous activities such as kayaking. Pupils know what they need to do to reach their targets in their work, as well as how to make the right decisions over everyday matters. Older pupils enjoy helping each other through suggesting improvements that could be made in each other's work. Pupils know how to keep safe and stay fit through eating healthily and being active. Behaviour is excellent and pupils show a high level of maturity. Attendance

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Grade: 1

is good but is prevented from reaching a higher level because of the number of families taking holidays in term-time.

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Grade: 1

Outstanding teaching ensures that pupils know how to learn and work with others. Exciting activities in the Nursery and Reception classes mean that children learn at a rapid rate. Very good questioning by adults prompts the children to answer in a variety of ways. Pupils of all ages know that their ideas will be taken seriously and so they express their views confidently. Teachers make excellent use of assessments to plan work for pupils' different capabilities and to provide challenging targets for pupils. Pupils understand what they need to do next and the consistency with which teaching reviews their progress is a major factor in the pupils' success. Specialist teaching in 3 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006 music, art and design and sport provides a very good level of challenge for pupils and raises their achievement in these areas. Teachers use ICT very competently to engage

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Grade: 1

pupils' interest, particularly the boys'. There are a few times when teachers too closely direct pupils' learning in problem solving and investigating in mathematics and science, and so pupils do not sufficiently use their own ideas

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Grade: 1

A vibrant curriculum contributes to pupils' enjoyment of school and the high standards achieved. Links with other schools and extra activities, such as opportunities to work with artists or sports coaches, mean that pupils' talents are fostered very well. First-hand experiences gained through interesting visits are used very effectively to enable pupils to use and extend their skills. Year 6 pupils' residential visit to a school in Ireland, for example, led to some excellent artwork based on Celtic designs. Pupils use ICT very well to present their findings, as when Year 1 pupils produced multi-media presentations of their visit to Llandudno. Field visits to a local river by Years 5 and 6 pupils brought learning alive as pupils used their skills in data handling, geography and ICT. Sixty pupils learn a musical instrument and many pupils perform in the school choir and orchestra.

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Grade: 1

Parents and pupils rightly praise the school's happy and friendly atmosphere. The outstanding quality of care, guidance and support provided results in pupils feeling well cared for and valued as individuals. They readily seek help if they need it and know that adults will quickly provide the necessary support. They know what their targets are and how well they are doing in their work. Pupils blossom because of the encouragement and high quality guidance from teachers. Quick identification and support for pupils' particular learning needs mean that difficulties are overcome. Procedures for safeguarding pupils are very robust.

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Grade: 1

Outstanding leadership and management underpin the school's success in maintaining very high standards in pupils' work as well as in their personal development. The headteacher provides inspirational leadership that spurs the staff and pupils on to do their best. He is supported by very able senior staff who have been very influential in raising pupils' achievement through the introduction of target setting. There is a real sense of teamwork and no hint of complacency despite the school's success. The school knows itself exceptionally well because of the rigorous self-review systems. Frequent checks on teaching and learning lead to the identification of where practice is at its best and can be shared. Effective support is given where improvements are needed. Data about the pupils' performance is used very well to identify areas for improvement 4 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006

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Grade: 1

and intervention is swift and effective. Boys' achievement, for example, has lagged behind girls' but the school has acted to bring about changes to teaching and the curriculum that have led to the gap being closed. Current priorities include improving opportunities for pupils in problem solving and investigation. The introduction of a Nursery class has been very well managed and monitoring shows that this has boosted children's attainment as they start in the Reception Year. Governors have an excellent understanding of why the school has arrived at its priorities and they are fully involved in monitoring the school's progress. The school knows exactly where it is going and how it will get there. 5 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006 .

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Grade: 1

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 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? 1 The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 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

1 How well do learners achieve? 1 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 1 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The behaviour of learners 2 The attendance of learners 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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?

1 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: Oakridge Primary School, 1 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: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for giving me such a warm welcome and helping me with my work when I visited your school. You told me that you are proud of your school and I can see why. It is a great place for you to learn and be with your friends. I enjoyed talking to you and looking at your work. This is what I found out about your school: • You know your targets, make excellent progress with your work and reach very high standards. • You are a credit to your school because you behave so well, work so hard and help each other. • You know how to make the right choices about keeping fit, healthy and safe. • There are so many things to take part in and you told me how much you enjoy the trips and clubs. • Teaching is very good and teachers make lessons interesting so that you want to learn. • Everyone takes very good care of you and you get extra help if you need it. • The people in charge of the school know what they need to do to make the school even

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

better for you. We have asked your teachers to make sure that: • You do even better in solving problems in mathematics and investigating in science. You already play a big part in helping your school to improve. You can help even more by thinking hard about different ways to approach problems or investigations and sharing your ideas with your teachers and classmates. I wish you the very best in the future and keep on 'Reaching for the stars'! 9 Inspection Report: Oakridge Primary School, 1 November 2006

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