West Bridgford Junior School

West Bridgford Junior School Inspection report

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122600 Unique Reference Number NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Local Authority 301779 Inspection number 8 °9 May 2007 Inspection dates Geof Timms 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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Junior Type of school Community School category 7 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 318 School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Jane Metson Chair Mr Philip Unsworth Headteacher 1 November 1999 Date of previous school inspection Exchange Road School address West Bridgford Nottingham NG2 6DB

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0115 9140201 Telephone number 0115 9140209 Fax number

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7 °11 Age group 8 °9 May 2007 Inspection dates 301779 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school takes most of its pupils from West Bridgford to the south of Nottingham, although a growing proportion comes from the city. The school is larger than average in size. The proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals is well below average. There is an average proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. Although most pupils are White British, there is a small number from a wide range of different minority ethnic backgrounds. Very few have English as an additional language. The school is situated on two sites about half a mile apart. Pupils' attainment on entry to the school this year is broadly average, although it has often been above average in recent years.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. The pupils make excellent progress and develop into mature and enthusiastic learners. The overwhelming majority of parents recognise the school's strengths and one said, 'This is everything you could wish for in a school.' The school provides excellent value for money. The pupils reach exceptional standards in their work. The national test results in English, mathematics and science are consistently well above average and the school continues to set challenging targets for pupils in every year group. In particular, pupils' speaking and listening skills are exceptionally good and the quality of their discussions in many lessons is very high. The pupils also produce high quality work in the arts subjects. The learning is so effective because the teaching is of very high quality and the pupils experience a wide and exceptionally well enriched curriculum. The school ensures pupils' personal development is outstanding. Their moral and social

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Grade: 1

understanding is highly developed and they have many opportunities to build a wide understanding of different faiths and cultures. Many lessons and other activities have a spiritual dimension and pupils are developing into very thoughtful people who have a very good awareness of the impact of their actions. They enjoy school greatly while taking the responsibilities given to them very seriously. Through a range of responsibilities and school council work, pupils make an excellent contribution to the school community, as well as further afield. Behaviour is outstanding. Relationships between adults and pupils are excellent. Lessons take place within a very positive learning environment, although there are shortcomings in the accommodation for a library and for information and communication technology (ICT) due to a lack of space. The excellent teaching is based on careful planning that ensures the work is sufficiently challenging and

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Grade: 1

lessons are often active and lively, with a strong focus on speaking and listening to support learning. The curriculum has an appropriate focus on literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, which helps prepare the pupils exceptionally well for secondary school and their future lives. The curriculum is outstandingly well enriched through a very wide range of clubs, projects, topics, visitors, educational and residential visits. Above all, the school is an exceptionally caring environment, both personally and academically. Pupils feel safe and are happy that there are adults in school they can trust and with whom they can share any worries. The assessment of pupils' work helps staff to provide them with clear targets for improvement and they are guided and supported exceptionally well. The school is exceptionally well led and managed. The headteacher provides very effective leadership which is clearly focused on very high standards. The work of the school is monitored

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Grade: 1

and evaluated accurately and in depth by senior leaders and the governing body. This approach helps the early recognition of any areas for improvement. The excellent improvements made since the last inspection and the current high standards show that the school has an outstanding capacity to maintain its many strengths and improve further in the future.

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What the school should do to improve further

• Improve the accommodation to ensure that all pupils have adequate access to computers and library resources. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007

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Grade: 1

Pupils' achievement is excellent. The standards pupils reach by the end of Year 6 are consistently well above average and in the 2006 national tests results were exceptionally high. The current Year 6 is also reaching standards well above those typically found and pupils are on course to reach the challenging targets set for them. Pupils make excellent progress towards these very high standards due to the outstanding teaching and learning and the very strong leadership and management. Standards are equally high in English, mathematics and science. A particular strength is evident in pupils' speaking and listening skills. They are very articulate and happy to talk in front of a variety of audiences. The quality of the singing evident in the Year 5 and Year 6 choir is outstanding. When the analysis of data shows weaknesses, such as it did in boys' writing in 2005, they are quickly addressed and improvements in standards are clearly evident.

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Grade: 1

The way pupils enjoy learning, their determination to succeed, willingness to help each other and to be good citizens locally and globally, characterise their excellent personal development. They become independent, confident learners, ready, eager and fully equipped for life at secondary school. Attendance is high. Very extensive levels of community involvement permeate all aspects of school life. Pupils convert rewards for good behaviour into money for others less fortunate overseas and work hard to improve behaviour and relationships through class and school council discussions. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very extensive. This is a school where creativity is recognised, encouraged and highly valued. These opportunities lead to happy children who feel safe, secure and cared for. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to live healthily and talk enthusiastically of the fruit 'smoothies' on offer

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Grade: 1

as a result of a school council request. They enjoy sport and physical education very much.

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Grade: 1

The quality of teaching and learning are outstanding and are at the heart of the exceptional progress that pupils make. Pupils have very positive relationships with staff and show great enthusiasm for learning. This is because teachers have very good subject knowledge and pupils are constantly challenged. Expectations of them are high and the pace of learning is brisk. Teachers' planning is very detailed and it provides activities that match pupils' learning needs closely and offers lots of opportunities for them to learn by themselves. Lessons start with clear objectives so that the purpose of learning is clear and they end with an evaluation of learning, often led by pupils, encouraging their critical thinking. Teachers' questioning is very well focused and sharp so that learning is extended and challenged. Targets are an integral part of lessons and are known and understood by pupils. Marking of work always

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Grade: 1

identifies very clearly to pupils how they can improve their work. Homework is set regularly and is well established as a tool to extend classroom learning. Those with particular learning needs are supported very effectively. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is outstanding for all pupils. It takes as its basis the learning needs of every pupil so that everyone, including those with particular learning difficulties or disabilities and the gifted and talented, makes outstanding progress. A major strength is the school's approach to planning the curriculum in year groups and, increasingly, across subjects. This approach allows pupils to learn in greater depth, whilst retaining the focus on basic skills. The curriculum encourages creativity and pupils are enjoying and benefiting from an increasing number of opportunities to express themselves in practical ways. This includes the provision for ICT which has advanced rapidly since the last inspection, although the accommodation is limited. Pupils use ICT to communicate with Spain, Spanish being a new and popular addition to the curriculum for younger pupils. A personal, social and health education programme provides imaginative

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Grade: 1

learning. For example, pupils visited a local hospital to gain understanding about accident prevention. Their learning is broadened by an extensive range of clubs, activities and visits. They all learn to play a musical instrument, enabling them to discover their talents and learn new skills.

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Grade: 1

There is outstanding encouragement for pupils to reach high standards. Staff are creative and innovative in providing focused guidance in order that pupils have the right building blocks to help them to improve their performances. One example is the impressive way 'learning journals' are used by older pupils. These become valuable aide-memoirs and contain helpful teacher prepared hints and tips, with the sole intent of taking learning to the next level. Opportunities for pupils to explain what worked best for them and why all play their part in developing excellent learning skills. The arrangements for joining the school in Year 3 and for moving on to secondary school are very effective. Relationships are warm, supportive and friendly. All legal requirements about keeping children safe are in place and are of a high standard. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to stay safe.

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Grade: 1

Many parents are full of praise for the leadership of the headteacher and his senior staff. The words that crop up most commonly in their comments are 'commitment' and 'enthusiasm'. Their view is supported by the findings of the inspection. Excellent systems have been put in place to use information about pupils' progress to identify any underachievement and to support early intervention. This data is also used to recognise and highlight successes. Systems for monitoring teachers' performance and providing them with appropriate professional development are very effective and have a clear positive impact on standards. The governing body is strongly involved in supporting the work of the staff and also acts as an effective critical friend through challenging and questioning the school. The senior leadership team and the systems for year group and subject leadership are all equally effective. The success of the school

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Grade: 1

is due in large part to the strong team work and support for each other evident among all staff, including support staff and the school's leadership. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007 .

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Grade: 1

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 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? 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 1 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. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

10 May 2007 Dear Children Inspection of West Bridgford Junior School, Nottingham, NG2 6DB I want to thank you for the warm welcome you gave to us when we recently visited your school. You were very friendly and helped us find out about the school and what you like about West Bridgford. Now we want to share with you what we thought about the successful work of the school. It is difficult to know where to start because we were so impressed with you and your school! You reach exceptionally high standards in English, mathematics and science in tests but you also do some excellent creative work, including in music and singing lessons. In particular we thought that you were very mature and thoughtful when talking in lessons, to each other or when answering the teachers' questions. We think your teachers are outstanding and they work very hard to provide you with work that helps you to learn well and make excellent progress. This means you are well prepared for

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

secondary school. Your headteacher and the senior teachers provide the school with outstanding leadership and this helps make it the extremely successful and pleasant learning community it has become. We know you are all very happy at school and willing to take a full part in the activities, including clubs and residential visits. Another thing we were really impressed with is the way you take responsibility very seriously and do such a good job of, for example, being on the school council or raising money for a range of charities. Because the school is so good, we are not asking the staff to do much more than keep working as hard as they are to make sure the school stays as successful as it is. We do think the school needs to extend and adapt some of the accommodation so you have better access to ICT and a library. Thank you again for your help during the inspection. Keep working hard and enjoy your time

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

at West Bridgford! Yours sincerely Geof Timms Lead Inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: West Bridgford Junior School, 8 °9 May 2007

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