Whitnash Primary School

Inspection Report Whitnash Primary School

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125560 Unique Reference Number Warwickshire Local Authority 299951 Inspection number 6 °7 February 2007 Inspection dates Janet Thompson HMI Reporting inspector

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This inspection was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 which gives Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools the authority to cause any school to be inspected. The inspection was also deemed a section 5 inspection under the same Act.

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Langley Road School address Primary Type of school Whitnash Community School category Leamington Spa CV31 2EX 4 °11 Age range of pupils 01926 426773 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01926 337755 Fax number 98 Number on roll (school) Judy Falp Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Elizabeth Stanley Headteacher 7 July 2005 Date of previous school inspection

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Inspection number Inspection dates Age group 299951 6 °7 February 2007 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 two of Her Majesty’s Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This small school serves an area in which there is a mix of owner-occupied and rented accommodation. The majority of pupils is of White British heritage with about 25% from a variety of minority ethnic backgrounds. Eight pupils do not use English as their first language at home. The number of pupils with learning difficulties and or disabilities (LDD) is above average. There is significant movement of pupils in and out of the school other than in the years expected.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 1 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Grade: 3

In accordance with section 13 (4) of the Education Act 2005, HMCI is of the opinion that the school no longer requires special measures. The school has made good progress since its last monitoring visit and now provides a satisfactory standard of education for its pupils. The teaching has improved considerably and is now good. This has helped pupils to make better progress than at the last inspection. Standards are below average but achievement has improved, particularly in Year 2 and Years 5 and 6 where for many pupils recent progress has been good. Most pupils in these classes are currently attaining standards broadly in line with that expected for their age. Progress is satisfactory across the school. Provision in the Foundation Stage is satisfactory. Reception children are in a mixed class with Year 1 pupils and make adequate progress. Learning objectives are sometimes too broad and work is not always accurately matched to the different abilities of the

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Grade: 3

pupils. The curriculum has been redesigned appropriately and reflects the needs of the mixed age group. Pupils behave extremely well and they have a very good attitude to work. Good guidance enables pupils to develop a very good appreciation of the needs of others. Pupils are reflective about their school and pleased that lessons are often 'interesting and fun'. Lesson planning is good and work is well matched to meet pupils' needs. In some lessons assessment that involves the pupils has led to increased progress. This good assessment practice is not in place across the curriculum. The curriculum provides the expected breadth of experience to develop pupils' knowledge and skills. Trips and additional activities are well planned to support the curriculum and these help to motivate pupils. The school recognises that there is still more to be done to make the curriculum more exciting and to establish firmer links

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Grade: 3

between subjects. Leadership and management are now good. Regular monitoring and evaluation have contributed significantly to the required improvements. The school has been well supported by the governors and the local authority. The school has developed a team of skilled professionals to lead improvements in the future. The headteacher has a detailed knowledge of all pupils and monitors their progress well. This information is used effectively to target additional support where it is required. The school has used resources well since being subject to special measures. However, falling rolls have led to a deficit budget. Governors, working closely with the headteacher, have developed suitable ways of managing the situation whilst maintaining the capacity to improve standards and achievement for pupils. Value for money is satisfactory. The staff team has shown the necessary commitment and has worked hard to improve the education

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Grade: 3

on offer to the pupils. The detailed evaluation of work within the school, supported by an effective joint approach to change and development, reflects the school's good capacity to further improve. 2 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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What the school should do to improve further

• Increase the challenge in the Foundation/Year 1 class so that knowledge and skills that provide the building blocks for further development are firmly in place. • Ensure the best practice of involving pupils in assessing their own work is consistently embedded across the curriculum. • Develop curriculum planning to ensure links are made across subjects, helping to improve creativity and raise standards.

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Grade: 3

Pupils make satisfactory progress throughout their time in school. There are classes where the achievement of pupils is good and this has helped to address gaps in learning from previous years when the school was causing concern. Standards are below average but rising. Children start at the school in the Reception year with varying levels of attainment but overall attainment is below average. The weakest areas are communication, language and literacy, and knowledge and understanding of the world. Foundation and Year 1 pupils make satisfactory progress in lessons. From Year 2 upwards progress in lessons is good. Teachers are effectively using assessment to ensure work challenges pupils of all abilities. Pupils with additional needs also make satisfactory progress as a result of suitable and well planned support. Careful tracking of pupils' progress in English and mathematics has helped to identify any areas of

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Grade: 3

learning that pupils are finding difficult. This information is used to ensure additional support or work is put into place quickly and progress is improved as a result.

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Grade: 2

Personal development of pupils is good. The behaviour of learners and their very good attitude to work are strengths of the school and reflect good social and moral development. Pupils are supportive of each other. The supportive ethos of the school is reinforced by staff who treat pupils and each other with respect. Attendance is average but is rising as a result of diligent monitoring and subsequent action. Progress slows when pupils do not attend regularly and often enough. Pupils are happy at school. Their good development in spiritual and cultural aspects of learning is reflected in work across the curriculum and particularly in art. Pupils relish opportunities to make decisions and take on responsibility. These help them to develop effective teamwork and organisational skills. The school council has been involved in organising fund raising events for charity and has recently helped governors evaluate aspects of provision at the school. All pupils have a chance to make

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Grade: 2

suggestions to the school council but many do not think they receive enough feedback. Pupils have a good knowledge about the role of exercise and diet in helping them to stay healthy. The choices provided by the canteen help to encourage healthy eating but there are still some pupils who make very unhealthy choices. 3 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Grade: 2

Teaching is now good and this has resulted in pupils often making good progress in lessons. The teaching seen during the inspection was always at least satisfactory, and was good or better in Years 2 to 6. Lessons are well planned to provide a variety of types of learning including group discussion, paired work and practical involvement. Teaching assistants are well deployed in most classes. This helps to keep the pace fast enough to provide challenge but also gives time for reflection and thought. Effective use of assessment helps teachers match work to pupils with differing levels of ability. There is good practice in assisting pupils to develop independent learning skills and this has also helped enhance their progress. Teachers of mixed age classes ensure suitable challenge for both year groups but, although practice is satisfactory in Reception and Year 1, more could be done to increase the challenge for some

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Grade: 2

children. In this class teaching assistants are not always given a significant enough role in adult directed activities to help increase progress. Pupils are, however, encouraged to be independent in organising themselves and finding their own equipment.

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Grade: 3

The curriculum is satisfactory, offering suitable breadth for all pupils. The shared formats for planning have ensured coverage of the required curriculum. Close monitoring has helped to ensure lessons are effectively planned and pupils receive their entitlement. The school has rightly identified that there is more to be done to enhance links across subjects, particularly between the core subjects of English and mathematics and other subjects such as history and geography. The curriculum is enriched with a range of well planned external visits and residential trips as well as special events in school. Pupils find physical education motivating and physical skills are further developed by the popular 'Huff and Puff' activities at lunch times. After school clubs are very popular with both pupils and parents and help to develop a good range of interests including fitness.

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Grade: 2

The school provides good care, guidance and support for pupils. Assessment and tracking are good, helping to identify any areas of difficulty quickly, and effective action is taken as a result. Pupils have a good knowledge of their targets and recognise the need to improve their work. There are good examples of pupils being involved in assessing their own work and this helps to give them a good understanding of how 4 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007 they can improve further. This very effective practice is not consistent across the school in all subjects. There are very good relationships throughout the school, based on a balance of respect and fun. There is an emphasis on encouraging pupils to learn to manage their own behaviour rather than have it managed by adults. This has helped pupils develop a good understanding of the consequence of their own actions and, as a result, they are able to take on responsibility and develop independent work skills.

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Grade: 2

The school meets the necessary requirements to help keep pupils safe and staff are diligent in their care of pupils.

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Grade: 2

The headteacher, with the support of the staff team, has successfully improved the school so that it now provides a satisfactory standard of education. Improvements made following previous monitoring inspections have been maintained and built upon, demonstrating good capacity to further improve. Monitoring of planning and pupils' achievement is regular and thorough and involves all teachers. The information gathered informs the next steps in development. The staff team work collectively on improving practice, with subject leaders taking an active role in monitoring and evaluating aspects of provision. The school has rightly identified the next steps required for improvement and has planned suitable action. Evaluation is thorough and gives a good base from which to improve. Staff and governors have a good understanding of their strengths and where improvements are still required. However, the lack of a single format bringing together

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Grade: 2

different aspects of evaluation makes review of overall progress more difficult than it needs to be. Governors provide suitable challenge and actively seek out and listen to the views of pupils and parents. The parents consulted during the inspection were complimentary about the behaviour of the pupils at the school. The majority spoken to were happy with all aspects of the school but a few had some concerns about mixed age classes. The school recognises these concerns but is not explaining the actions taken to ensure pupils continue to increase their progress clearly enough to parents. It is refreshing to see the parents, once again, actively running a school association. 5 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007 .

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Grade: 2

set out in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 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? 3 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 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 1 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 3 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 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: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you for welcoming me to your school. I am writing this after my fourth visit to your school and each time I have visited you have been working harder and making more progress. As a result, your school no longer needs to be inspected so often as it is now satisfactory. I made this decision for a number of reasons. You are all making satisfactory progress and some of you are making good progress. The headteacher knows how well you are doing and makes sure that if you find something difficult you receive extra help. The teachers make sure that lessons are interesting. They check you understand the work and make sure it is at the right level to move you forwards. I was especially pleased to see some of you looking at your own work and deciding if you could improve it. The staff and governors are making sure that your time in school is interesting and enjoyable and that it helps you be prepared for the future. I

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

know you enjoy the many opportunities you have to visit interesting places and this helps to make different subjects more interesting. You behave extremely well and I was impressed by how supportive you are of one another. There are still some things that need to improve further. • I have asked the teachers of the youngest children in the school to make sure the work helps you learn more. You can help by doing more work as I know you are keen to learn. • I would like more of you to be able to look at your own work and decide how it could be improved. This would be especially useful if it happened in all the subjects. • I have asked teachers to make the links between subjects clearer and more creative. I will miss my visits each term to your school but I am confident that you will continue to help improve the school. I wish you all the best for the future. 9 Inspection Report: Whitnash Primary School, 6 °7 February 2007

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