Eltham Church of England Primary School

Eltham Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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100167 Unique Reference Number Greenwich Local Authority 307313 Inspection number 10 °11 June 2008 Inspection dates Michael Merchant 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 310 School The governing body Appropriate authority Father John Neal Chair Miss M Whitney Headteacher 7 June 2004 Date of previous school inspection Roper Street School address Eltham London SE9 1TR 020 8850 1528 Telephone number 020 8294 0896 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 10 °11 June 2008 Inspection dates 307313 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 is larger than average. Most pupils are of White British heritage but a large proportion of pupils are from a variety of ethnic minority backgrounds, mainly Black or Black British - African heritage. Seven percent of pupils have English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is average. The proportion of pupils identified with learning difficulties, mainly speech and language difficulties and autism, is also average, but the percentage with a statement of educational need is lower than nationally.

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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: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school with many excellent features. Parents endorse this. They attach a high priority to education, and encourage and support their children. As one parent said, 'All the children are encouraged to work to their highest potential and are rewarded accordingly.' Pupils are proud of their school and enjoy it greatly. The headteacher, ably supported by her senior team, provides strong leadership. She inspires and supports staff and pupils to get the best out of themselves and others. Pupils join the school in Reception with attainment that is below average. By the end of Year 6, standards have risen considerably. They have been significantly above average in national tests for the last five years. This represents outstanding progress from their starting points. In 2007, the school was in the top 1% of schools nationally for the progress made by pupils from Year 1 to 6. Pupils' personal development is outstanding. Staff have created a school in which all pupils get

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Grade: 1

on well together. A very positive atmosphere permeates the school. Relationships are exceptionally strong. Teachers and support staff work very effectively to meet pupils' specific needs. Teaching is outstanding and makes a significant contribution to pupils' high achievement. Teachers have very good subject knowledge, give clear explanations and plan their lessons well. Pupils play their full part too. They come to school ready to learn and are eager to contribute to lessons. Their exemplary behaviour means that lessons are rarely disrupted and can be conducted at a good pace and in a positive climate. The carefully planned curriculum ensures that learning is meaningful and fun. There is an emphasis on celebrating aspects of a wide range of cultural traditions in school. This makes a good contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural education, which is excellent. However, not enough use is made in classrooms of information and communication technology

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Grade: 1

(ICT) to help pupils learn. All pupils, at whatever level of ability or need, are very well cared for and guided watchfully through the school and beyond. Teachers use assessment criteria skilfully to encourage learning, to analyse and improve performance, and to set challenging targets for individual pupils. The headteacher and her senior team rigorously monitor all areas of the school's work and this results in improvements to teaching, learning and the standards achieved by learners. Governors hold the school to account well for its work. The school uses its resources and accommodation imaginatively and efficiently and offers outstanding value for money; but in places, the school's accommodation is cramped. This prevents some teachers planning for activities that more fully involve pupils, such as group work. There is a strong sense of teamwork and pride in what has already been achieved. The school

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Grade: 1

knows exactly what to do further to sustain its excellence and so the capacity to further improve is outstanding.

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Grade: 2

Progress in the Foundation Stage is good and children are working close to expected levels by the time they start Year 1. Children get off to a strong start in the Foundation Stage because 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008 trusting, supportive relationships and clear routines are quickly established. They benefit from good teaching and learning and enjoy a varied curriculum. Successful induction procedures help children to settle quickly. Effective planning and selective use of resources provide children with good opportunities to learn, both formally with their teachers or through well-focused play activities. However, the school lacks a covered area for outside use and there are insufficient resources for the children to improve their climbing and physical skills.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Maker greater use of ICT across the curriculum to further pupils' learning.

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Grade: 1

The progress pupils make from entering the school in the Reception class until the end of Year 6 is outstanding. The good progress found in the Foundation Stage continues into Years 1 and 2, where standards overall are just above average. Due to outstanding teaching, careful tracking of progress and a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, pupils' progress accelerates in Years 3 to 6. Standards are significantly above average and have been for the past five years. The rate of improvement in standards has been much faster than that seen nationally. The standards attained by the most able pupils are particularly high. The achievement of all groups of pupils is outstanding, placing them in the top 1% of schools in the country for the progress they make. There is very little difference in the progress made by the various groups of pupils in the school. This is because the school works very effectively to support pupils with learning

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Grade: 1

difficulties and those who enter the school with particularly low levels of attainment. These pupils also make outstanding progress.

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Grade: 1

The outstanding development of pupils' personal skills and their excellent attitudes and behaviour are important reasons why they make such rapid progress in their learning. Pupils' outstanding spiritual awareness reflects the school's promotion of its Christian ethos. There is a strong sense of community within the school. One pupil said, 'We all belong together here'. Pupils have a very good understanding of the need for rules and know how to keep themselves safe. They have a mature appreciation of healthy lifestyles. An exceptionally high level of enjoyment is evident in lessons, and pupils say that they especially like the school's residential visits and clubs. Attendance and punctuality are good. Pupils take responsibility for themselves and others as they choose and manage their own lunch and as they act as 'buddies' to help younger pupils settle to school. They make an excellent contribution to the school community

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Grade: 1

as members of the school council and as they act as playground monitors. By the time they leave, pupils' above average literacy and numeracy and their outstanding personal skills mean they are equipped exceptionally well for the next phase of their education and beyond.

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Grade: 1

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Sustained challenge and high expectations enable pupils to achieve above average standards and make exceptional progress. Lessons are 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008 fast paced and fun. One parent wrote, 'My daughter especially loves Forest School, the school's nature area, which I think is a great addition to their education.' Teaching is lively, tasks and concepts are clearly explained and activities are carefully designed to challenge the pupils to learn at a swift pace. Pupils' levels of enjoyment and motivation are high because there is mutual respect between teachers and pupils. Praise is used extensively to motivate pupils. Teachers take care to ensure that pupils know exactly what is expected of them and what they need to do to improve. Teaching assistants are very effective in their work. All pupils, whatever

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Grade: 1

their learning needs, are fully included in the activities and this has a positive effect on achievement and personal development.

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Grade: 2

The good curriculum contributes positively to pupils' learning. The school ensures that learning is meaningful because it carefully plans themes with strong links between subjects. The development of basic skills, particularly numeracy and literacy is a particular focus of the school's work. Provision for ICT across subjects has been hindered by a lack of equipment and has made a limited contribution to pupils' high achievements. Pupils value the diversity of their community because there is an emphasis on celebrating multi-cultural and cultural aspects in school. This makes a strong contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural education. Visits and visitors significantly enhance pupils' understanding of the wider world. The school provides pupils with a wide variety of sporting activities as part of the school day. These, together with well supported creative and educational activities outside the normal school day make a valuable

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Grade: 2

contribution to pupils' learning, their levels of enjoyment and their personal development.

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Grade: 1

Parents agree that children are looked after very well. Procedures to identify pupils' learning needs or those who may be vulnerable or distressed are very effective. The school then ensures that a good range of support is put in place to meet these different needs. Teaching assistants are deployed very effectively to support pupils, especially those with learning difficulties. There are very effective links with parents and access to a range of other local agencies should the need arise. Careful attention is paid to health and safety and child protection issues. Pupils are given very clear practical advice on how well they are doing and what they need to do to become even better. The excellent use of assessment information is an important reason for the high standards and exceptionally good progress that pupils make. Pupils are set clear learning targets, which are well displayed and reviewed regularly. Pupils confirm that these are helping them to

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Grade: 1

improve and also how much their parents' knowledge of their targets helps to secure support from home.

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Grade: 1

The skill and vision of the headteacher in promoting the clear ethos of the school and in securing the commitment of all staff in the drive to raise standards underpins pupils' outstanding progress. The school improvement plan is comprehensive and shows clearly how improving the effectiveness of leadership, and teaching and learning is at the heart of its work. The headteacher and governors have skilfully appointed and retained a knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008 team. Senior leaders work effectively to improve the quality of teaching and its impact on pupils' learning. The responsibilities of middle managers have recently been reorganised to include leadership of the new curriculum teams. This is an innovative initiative, and leaders are responding enthusiastically to these new challenges. The school has an accurate view of its

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Grade: 1

work, although several of the judgements in the school's self-evaluation are too modest. Governors support and encourage the school well and are beginning to analyse deeply the reasons why it does so well. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008 .

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Grade: 1

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008

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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? Yes Effective steps have been taken to promote improvement since the last inspection How well does the school work in partnership with others to promote learners' well-being? 2 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

1 How well do learners achieve? 2 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 extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The attendance of learners 1 The behaviour of learners 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008

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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 1 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 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: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

20 June 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Eltham Church of England Primary School,London,SE9 1TR Thank you all for the warm welcome you gave to your inspectors when we visited your school recently. We enjoyed meeting and talking to you. Eltham Church of England Primary School is an outstanding school. It has many excellent features and we know you are very proud of it. Here are some of the good things about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make outstanding progress in your lessons and results in national tests are far higher than in most schools. Your results are getting better and better. ■ Your behaviour is excellent and you get on well with your fellow pupils. Eltham is a well ordered school and you look after each other. ■ You show a great enjoyment in your learning and know a lot about the importance of staying healthy and keeping safe. ■ Teaching is excellent and your teachers are very skillful and concerned to make sure that you do as well as you can. ■ The care, support and guidance that the school offers you is outstanding and it means that everyone can do well. ■ Your headteacher and other senior staff are excellent leaders and know exactly how to make Eltham Church of England Primary School even better. What we have asked your school to do now.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Give you more opportunities to make use of computers in your lessons so that your learning will be even better. Thank you once again for making such a helpful contribution to the inspection. We enjoyed watching you learn. Yours sincerely Michael Merchant Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Eltham Church of England Primary School, 10 °11 June 2008

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