St Peter's Primary School

St Peter's Primary School Inspection report

p.1

100352 Unique Reference Number Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority 307370 Inspection number 23 November 2007 Inspection date Lynn Bappa Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 232 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Frances Burch Chair Mrs Jean Shipton Headteacher 20 May 2003 Date of previous school inspection St Peter's Road School address Hammersmith London W6 9BA 020 8748 7756 Telephone number 020 8748 3318 Fax number

p.1

3-11 Age group 23 November 2007 Inspection date 307370 Inspection number .

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by an Additional Inspector. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues:

p.3

Introduction

Evidence was gathered from performance data, observations of teaching and the work produced by pupils. Parents' questionnaires and discussions with children, the chair of governors and staff also contributed to the judgements. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

St Peter's is an over-subscribed one-form entry primary school. Just over one in three pupils come from minority ethnic groups; this is a higher percentage than is found in most schools. The proportion of pupils speaking English as an additional language is higher than average. The main languages spoken, other than English, are Armenian, Serbian, Croatian and Polish. Pupils' overall socio-economic circumstances are more favourable than in the country as a whole. The school is on three sites, although these are very close together. It has just been awarded Healthy Schools status.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007

p.3

Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school that provides an excellent standard of education and care for its pupils. At the heart of the school lies a commitment to its Christian values. Pupils' personal development and well-being, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are outstanding. They feel secure, say that bullying is rare and behave extremely well. They rapidly develop in confidence and self-esteem and are eager to learn. They are rarely absent from school because they thoroughly enjoy lessons and other activities, and their enthusiastic and inquisitive response to challenging work supports their excellent achievement. The majority of parents are very pleased with what the school offers. As one parent commented, 'I am proud that my child attends a school that is welcoming and nurturing.' Pupils are also proud of their school and its caring ethos. When asked what they liked especially, one pupil replied, 'Well,

p.4

Grade: 1

everything really!' It is clear that every child really does matter at St Peter's. The environment for pupils is good, with bright and cheerful classrooms and plenty of playground activities. Consistently good and improving teaching, underpinned by pupils' excellent attitudes to learning, result in high standards and outstanding achievement. By the end of Year 2, standards are well above average. Pupils do particularly well in mathematics, with a very high proportion reaching the higher levels. Pupils continue to make excellent progress throughout the junior classes and they reach high standards by the end of Year 6. All pupils gain at least the expected levels in English, mathematics and science and a high proportion exceed the expectations for their age. Pupils also achieve well in other areas of the curriculum, such as art and religious education. The school is on its way to meeting its challenging targets for next year and prepares its pupils

p.4

Grade: 1

extremely well for the next stage of their education. Pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, as well as those learning English as an additional language, make excellent progress because teachers identify their needs promptly and they receive effective support. A broad and exciting curriculum supports pupils' rapid progress. This includes, for example, lessons in Mandarin and links with a school in Cambodia. Strong features in the teaching include the fast pace of lessons, a wide range of interesting activities, very positive classroom relationships and good use of interactive whiteboards. In a Year 4 literacy lesson, for example, pupils played a lively dictionary game to help them explain to a Year 1 child what 'anguish is evident in every feather' meant. Senior leaders are clear about what they need to do to improve teaching further. They have rightly begun to focus, for example, on the quality of handwriting

p.4

Grade: 1

and presentation and on sharing the best practice across the school. Pupils are developing well as individuals because the school has established a strong ethos of care and respect for others. Vulnerable pupils, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities, are very well supported so that they play a full part in lessons and other activities. There are very good procedures for child protection. The school has developed very good systems to track pupils' progress and set targets for improvement. As a result, pupils are clear about what they need to do in order to improve their work. The headteacher provides very effective leadership. She ensures that this is not a school that rests on its laurels but one that always looks for ways to improve. It has excellent capacity to improve further. She knows the school's strengths and weaknesses very well and this is evident in the high quality of the school's self-evaluation. The school has very good systems for checking

p.4

Grade: 1

how well it is doing and uses them effectively. Senior leaders are very well supported by all staff and teamwork is excellent, with everyone playing a full part in moving the school forward. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007 The school is supported and challenged by a very well informed and active governing body that plays a full part in strategic planning and monitoring. Issues from the last inspection have been dealt with well. The school works very well with a wide range of partners, but needs to do more to improve its relationship with parents. Although the school acted swiftly after its last inspection to put into place more effective systems for improving communications with parents, a small but significant minority continues to believe that the school does not value their opinions.

p.4

Grade: 1

Parents rightly recognise that provision in the Foundation Stage is excellent. A typical comment was, 'My son, who is in the Nursery, is already sounding out words and is very keen to read.' Another parent added, 'Teaching in Reception is A1!' Children enter the school with skills that are generally above those typically found in most three year-olds. They make excellent progress and by the time they enter Year 1 most have become confident learners and exceeded the expected goals for their age. Consistently good teaching, a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and an improved assessment system contribute to the excellent progress the children make during their time in the Foundation Stage. Children learn to co-operate with one another and develop very positive attitudes to their learning that are subsequently maintained across the school. Adults have high expectations, provide very clear routines and

p.5

Grade: 1

enable children to build positive relationships with each other and with staff. Outdoor areas have improved significantly and provide an exciting level of challenge and stimulation. Induction is thoughtfully planned and delivered. As a result, children settle quickly into school and enjoy all that is has to offer.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the partnership with parents so that all feel confident that the school takes account of their views. ■ Raise the quality of teaching and learning so that it consistently reflects the school's best practice. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007 .

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007

p.6

Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.7

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? 1 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

p.7

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

p.7

learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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

p.7

and interests of learners?

1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.7

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 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007

p.7

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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

4 December 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Peter's Primary School,London,W6 9BA Thank you for being so friendly and helpful when I came to inspect your school. I am writing to tell you what I think about how well you are getting on and how well your school is helping you to learn. I particularly enjoyed talking to the school council and to some of you about your work - you brought along some excellent examples. Thank you for this. A large number of your parents wrote to tell me how much they value your school and I think you agree with them. I think it is giving you an outstanding education. You reach high standards in English, maths and science and do very well in other subjects. I was impressed by Year 3's Torah scrolls, for example. Well done for this! There is so much I like about your school that I can't mention everything, so here is a list of what I think are the most important things.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Everyone in your school is friendly and welcoming.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You learn extremely well in lessons because your teachers give you plenty of interesting things to do and because you have excellent attitudes towards your work. ■ There are many interesting activities for you to do outside lessons. I know that you really appreciate these. ■ The adults in your school look after you very well.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher and the senior teachers who help run your school do an excellent job.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Everyone in your school wants it to be even better and you can play your part by always doing your best. I have suggested a couple of things to do next.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ A few of your parents think that the school does not listen carefully enough to them. We have asked the school to improve this part of their work. ■ Make all of your lessons as good as the best ones.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I am sure that you will continue to have great success in the future. With best wishes Lynn Bappa Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Primary School, 23 November 2007

p.9