Ashington CofE Primary School

Age group 4-10 Inspection date(s) 2 May 2007 Inspection number 293419 Unique Reference Number 125971 Local Authority West Sussex Inspection number 293419 Inspection dates 2 May 2007 Reporting inspector Linda Kelsey HMI

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Type of school First School category Voluntary Controlled Age range of pupils 4-10 Gender of pupils Mixed Number on roll 172

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Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Mrs Dawn Watson-Jones Headteacher Mr M Garratt Date of previous school inspection 10-12 June 2002

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School address Foster Lane, Ashington Pulborough West Sussex RH20 3PG Telephone number 01903 892365 Fax number 01903 892584 Ashington C of E First School Inspection report Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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. Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors. The inspector evaluated overall effectiveness and investigated the following issues: achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, the quality of provision and leadership and management. Evidence was gathered from: observations of teaching, reviewing documentation, analysing questionnaires returned from parents, holding discussions with senior staff and governors and talking to pupils at the school.

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Description of the school

The school serves a rural commuter village south of Horsham. It has doubled in size in the last eight years and is now housed in a new building. A new headteacher was appointed three years ago after the last inspection and new members of staff have been appointed to the school including two newly-qualified teachers this year. The numbers of children with learning difficulties or disabilities is low, as is the number who receive free school meals. At the time of the last inspection, the school had weaknesses in foundation subjects, subject leadership and assessment practices.

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Key for inspection grades

Grade 1 Outstanding Grade 2 Good Grade 3 Satisfactory Grade 4 Inadequate Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

This is an effective school where leadership and management are outstanding and the right priorities have been identified for further improvement. The school has rightly addressed the key priorities for development in its very good self-evaluation.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

Pupils achieve well. Children enter the school with above average standards and, because of the outstanding provision and teaching in the Foundation Stage, make particularly good progress in social development and basic skills. At the end of Key Stage 1, standards are high and by the time they leave in Year 5, they are very well prepared, both personally and academically, for the next school. Pupils are very confident, articulate, and able to voice their views, having experienced an exciting and vibrant curriculum which includes music and French. The pupils’ rate of progress has greatly improved, particularly during the last two years, and many pupils are now working well above the levels expected of them.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

Pupils’ personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They have a very good understanding of their own feelings and those of others, so much so that the school is a truly harmonious and happy environment. This is supported by the strong Christian ethos around the school. Pupils speak enthusiastically about their time in class and outside. Serving on the school council is taken seriously and pupils clearly enjoy this privilege and its contribution to the school’s management. Pupils really enjoy assemblies, times of worship, lessons and the range of subjects that they study. Pupils show great appreciation of what they have at the school, whilst still caring for the needs of others less fortunate in other countries. Pupils know very well how to keep safe and healthy but do not always act on their knowledge to eat the healthiest food at lunch time.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

Teaching is good overall and there are elements of excellent practice at the top end of the school and in the Foundation Stage. All teachers monitor pupils’ progress well and generally use this information to ensure that lessons are planned so that they meet the needs of all the children. Subject knowledge is good and teaching assistants are very well deployed. Support for pupils with learning difficulties is excellent. These pupils make very good progress through the school. Where teaching is not of this high standard, teachers have not planned sufficiently challenging tasks and at times, some pupils became bored by the activities. This happens in classes where teachers are less experienced. The school is aware of this relative weakness and has appropriately focused on developing the quality of teaching. There has been some success, although there is still some way to go.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

The curriculum is outstanding. It is rich and diverse and covers many interesting and lively topics. Pupils’ work displays this exciting high quality curriculum and it is celebrated around the school and in class folders. The outside areas are excellent and developed to extend and enhance the learning environment. Pupils are excited by the new wildlife area, their extensive grounds and how these will improve. Pupils spoke enthusiastically about many subjects, explaining what they had learnt in design and technology, science, art, mathematics and English. Many of them enjoy learning French, which has been introduced to the whole school this year. The Document reference number: HMI 2507 01 April 2007 teaching of music has greatly improved and many pupils play instruments; all are members of the choir. This diverse curriculum ensures that they are very well prepared for their future lives.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

Care, guidance and support are outstanding. Arrangements are in place to safeguard pupils and to ensure they get the right information and support. Pupils are well informed and prepared for the transition to their future schools. There are good links with parents, carers and outside agencies and the children most at risk are well supported through robust monitoring procedures overseen by the special educational needs coordinator.

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Overall effectiveness of the school Grade: 2

Leadership and management are outstanding and are clearly focused on raising standards and achievement. Since the headteacher’s appointment, there have been noticeable improvements in English, mathematics, music, French and the learning environment. These achievements are recognised by the governing body and although there is more to do to raise the profile of teaching, there is no complacency about the tasks ahead. The school has excellent resources and a new and attractive school building, and these are all well used to enhance pupils’ learning. This all leads to an excellent capacity for improvement.

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What the school should do to improve further

 raise the quality of all the teaching and learning to the level of the very best to ensure that all pupils are consistently challenged through each year group.

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2

The quality and standards in the Foundation Stage 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements 1

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1

The extent of learners’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 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 2 The extent to which learners make a positive contribution to the community 1 How well learners develop workplace and other skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being

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1

Do procedures for safeguarding learners meet current government requirements?

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1

Does this school require special measures? No Does this school require a notice to improve? No

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1

1 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.

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Inspection of Ashington C of E First School, Ashington RH20 3PG

Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome at your school. I enjoyed meeting and talking to many of you during break and lunchtime, in lessons and when I spoke to the school council. I was greatly impressed with how well you get on with each other and how well behaved you all are.

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Inspection of Ashington C of E First School, Ashington RH20 3PG

You won’t be surprised to know, because you told me as well, that I think you have a good school. You have an outstanding headteacher and many talented teachers and helpers in your school. Your lessons are exciting and interesting and many of you spoke about how much you enjoy school and don’t want to leave. I can understand that, as you have such a lovely environment in which to work. You are also cared for really well but also you are very mindful of those less fortunate than yourselves - this is commendable.

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Inspection of Ashington C of E First School, Ashington RH20 3PG

I have asked your headteacher and staff to make sure that every class gets the same level of high quality teaching, and the school knows it has to help the teachers who are new to the school. You can help here by making sure you always listen carefully in class and continue to work hard. In addition, perhaps some of you might like to think about what is in your lunch box, because you don’t always choose the healthiest foods even though I know you can!

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