St Peter's CofE Primary School

St Peter's CofE Primary School Inspection report

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125182 Unique Reference Number Surrey Local Authority 293218 Inspection number 20 °21 June 2007 Inspection dates Peter Thrussell 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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Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 196 School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Pat Frost Chair Mrs Sue Firth Headteacher 8 May 2001 Date of previous school inspection Little Green Lane School address Wrecclesham Farnham GU9 8TF

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01252 714115 Telephone number 01252 721215 Fax number

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4 °11 Age group 20 °21 June 2007 Inspection dates 293218 Inspection number .

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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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

St Peter's is a one-form-entry Church of England primary school that caters for pupils from a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. Almost a third of the pupils have learning difficulties and disabilities, which is much higher than normal. More pupils than would normally be expected have joined or left the school beyond the starting year. The school holds the Activemark Gold for sport and is an Investor in People.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007

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Grade: 3

St Peter's is a very caring school whose overall effectiveness is currently satisfactory. Staffing difficulties in recent years led to some disquiet among parents. The new headteacher has quickly stabilised the situation and rebuilt strong links with parents. Many have commented on this. One states that 'the school is now in a strong position, which owes much to leadership and management over the last year'. Throughout this time of change, the school has maintained a high level of care and support for its pupils, which draws on its very good links with other schools and agencies. The determined headteacher, well supported by the senior leadership team and other managers, has quickly provided a clear direction for the school and accurately identified areas for improvement. Teaching and learning are satisfactory. Regular lesson observations have helped the school to identify weaknesses in teaching and, with effective support, to improve the proportion of good

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Grade: 3

teaching. However, the quality of teaching remains satisfactory overall, and inconsistent, particularly in Years 3 to 6. All lessons are characterised by good relationships. In Reception, where children are new to the school, these warm relationships ensure that children quickly develop personal skills and the confidence to choose from a wide range of well-organised activities. Assessment procedures throughout the school are good and information used well to track pupils' progress throughout the school. They identify where pupils are falling behind so that additional support can be provided. However, teachers do not always use this information well enough to plan the next steps in pupils' learning, to enable all do as well as possible. Where teaching has improved, pupils are now making good progress. This is particularly evident in Reception and Years 1 and 2, where standards of work are showing a steady improvement.

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Grade: 3

The provision in the Foundation Stage is good. By the end of Reception, a high proportion are well on the way to achieving the learning goals expected at this age. Assessments at the end of Year 2 show that standards have been broadly average, but are likely to show an improvement this year. Progress in Years 3 to 6 is variable. By Year 6, pupils have achieved satisfactorily given their starting points in Year 3, and standards are broadly average. There are particular weaknesses in writing across the school and in mathematics in Years 3 to 6. The school has started to address these, although the actions to be taken are at an early stage and have yet to show full impact. Pupils' personal development is good. Their positive attitudes and very good behaviour contribute fully to their learning. Pupils say they enjoy school, particularly the excellent range of clubs and extra events. Very good opportunities for sport and opportunities to eat healthily

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Grade: 3

encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles. They feel very safe in school. One pupil claimed that 'St Peters is really good because it is a small school and everybody knows everyone, even in different years'. This is strongly evident in school assemblies, which are truly special occasions with a strong spiritual element. Pupils are proud to be on the school council. Prefects take their responsibilities seriously and help with the smooth running of the school. Opportunities for fundraising and taking an active part in local events also add to pupils' excellent contribution to the school and wider community. Given the recent improvements to teaching and pupils' progress, along with well focused action plans, the school has a good capacity for further improvement. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve the consistency and quality of teaching by making fuller use of assessment information to plan appropriate tasks that challenge all pupils. • Ensure that the planned actions to raise standards in writing across the school and in mathematics in Years 3 to 6 are fully implemented and monitored. A small proportion of the schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory but which have areas of underperformance will receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection.

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Grade: 3

Standards are average and achievement is satisfactory. Children enter the school with levels of skills that vary considerably from year to year. Progress in Reception and Years 1 and 2 is satisfactory but improving. There are particular strengths in mathematics. Progress in Years 3 to 6 is variable but overall satisfactory. Here there is a particular weakness in mathematics. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities make good progress due to the well targeted support they receive. Throughout the school there are weaknesses in writing. Regular journal writing in Reception and Years 1 and 2 have added interest to pupils' written work. This is now more carefully assessed so that the next steps in learning are identified and targets set for pupils to aim for. This practice has started to improve pupils' writing and will provide a model for the rest of the school. A greater use of visual stimuli, for example video clips, is also helping

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Grade: 3

pupils to develop their ideas for writing. Improved planning for mathematics, with a greater emphasis on problem solving, is being introduced into Years 3 to 6 to help raise achievement and standards.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' personal development and well-being are good as is their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school's close links with the local church help to foster this development. Attendance is satisfactory. Pupils know that adults in school will listen to their concerns. Most pupils have a positive commitment to healthy, active lifestyles, shown in the award of a Gold Active Sports mark. The school council is starting to develop its role within school and has already helped with the introduction of new playground furniture. Links are particularly strong with the local community. At a recent local community event the school provided a display of country dancing and a choir. These personal skills, along with pupils' current level of academic skills, prepare them satisfactorily for their future life and learning. The school is working hard to improve the pupils' basic skills.

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Grade: 3

Teaching and learning are satisfactory. Good relationships and effective management of behaviour ensure that pupils are ready and keen to learn. Most teachers convey well to pupils what they are going to learn about and what they are expected to achieve in lessons. At the end of lessons, there are generally opportunities for pupils to talk about their achievements 5 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007 and whether or not they could have done any better. Although lessons are well prepared with different activities designed to motivate pupils through interest and enjoyment, assessment information is not always used well to plan what pupils need to learn next to ensure the best progress of all. Interactive white boards have recently been introduced; where these are used successfully they motivate learning well. Teachers and teaching assistants work well together as a team. In some lessons, however, teaching assistants could take a more active role throughout

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. Work in the Reception class is well planned to provide a good balance between structured sessions and activities chosen by children. The needs of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are well provided for. Extension activities for the gifted and talented pupils are numerous and have included science and maths workshops, and training by county cricketers. The school is just beginning to make links between different subjects to make learning more interesting and relevant. The use of information and communication technology to support learning is developing rapidly, although constrained by the current level of resources. French is taught throughout the school, made more relevant through school trips to France and an annual French Day. Excellent enrichment activities contribute greatly to pupils' enjoyment and personal achievement. A wide range of sporting activities include swimming, judo and golf.

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Grade: 2

Other clubs include gardening, singing and chess. Opportunities to take part in creative arts, including making glazed pottery, are good. Drama productions involve all pupils. A good range of visits and visitors helps to bring learning to life.

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Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are good. Arrangements for ensuring the well-being and safety of pupils are robust. Transition arrangements are very good from the on-site nursery to the school. Children who join the school after the start of the year are welcomed in and well supported. Transition arrangements for Year 6 pupils who are moving on to secondary school are also very supportive. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities are well supported. The school has very good links with a range of external agencies to support these pupils. Assessments are used to set targets to guide pupils in their learning. They understand that these are to help them improve their work. However, reminders to think about their targets as they approach their work in lessons or in teachers' marking of work are not always given.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher's leadership has been instrumental in making sure that there is a very supportive and positive atmosphere in the school, which is enabling staff and pupils to develop and move forward. With the senior management team and middle managers, she has effectively monitored the school's performance and identified where improvements need to be made. The school has taken positive action, with additional support from the local authority, which has produced improvements in teaching and has started to raise standards in writing, particularly in the lower school. Not all actions have had the time to show impact on pupils' progress. There are very strong links with parents, other schools and agencies 6 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007 that benefit pupils in both their academic learning and personal development. Governors are

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Grade: 2

supportive of the work of the school. Whilst currently satisfactory they have sought further training and are starting to find out for themselves how well the school is doing by monitoring its work and asking pertinent questions. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007 .

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Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 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 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 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 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?

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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

5 July 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Peter's CofE Primary School,Farnham,GU9 8TF I am writing to let you know what we found when we visited your school. Thank you for taking part in the inspection. We spoke to many of you during our visit and you were always interesting to talk to, very polite and helpful. You spoke enthusiastically about enjoying school and all of the things you take part in. St Peter's is a satisfactory school and has some good features. We liked these things the most. • Children in Reception get a good start to their time in school. You all behave very well, enjoy school and want to do your best in lessons. • The school gives good support to those who find learning difficult and provides a lot of activities for those who have particular talents. • Assemblies are special occasions where you think about life and the part you all have to play. • You are all keen to adopt healthy lifestyles. Well done for getting up for that weekly early

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

morning swim. • There are many extra things that the school provides for your interest and enjoyment. What a lot of different sporting activities there are. I hope all goes well with the Wizard of Oz. • You have many opportunities to take on responsibilities. The school listens to you when you suggest how things could be made better. • Your headteacher is doing a good job and your parents really appreciate this. We have asked the school to work on these things now. Teachers should make sure that the work they give you to do is just right for each one of you, neither too easy nor too hard, so that you can all do your very best. Some of you need to do better in your writing and mathematics. The school has plans to help you in this and will be looking to see if you are improving. We did enjoy visiting your school and watching you learn. Yours sincerely Peter Thrussell Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: St Peter's CofE Primary School, 20 °21 June 2007

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