St Stephen's C E Primary School

St Stephen's Church of England Junior School Inspection report

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102915 Unique Reference Number Richmond Upon Thames Local Authority 308163 Inspection number 27 March 2008 Inspection date Barry Jones 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 Voluntary aided School category 7 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 306 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Nick Jones Chair Miss Elizabeth Stubbs Headteacher 13 October 2003 Date of previous school inspection Winchester Road School address Twickenham TW1 1LF 020 8892 3462 Telephone number 020 8744 9121 Fax number

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7-11 Age group 27 March 2008 Inspection date 308163 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 an Additional Inspector. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues:

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Introduction

■ Is the school being successful in accelerating progress in mathematics?

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Introduction

■ How well do pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities progress and why?

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Introduction

■ How effective are the school's strategies for cross-curricular learning, particularly in promoting pupils' literacy, numeracy and ICT skills? Evidence was gathered from performance data, external monitoring, observations of teaching and the work produced by pupils. Parents' questionnaires and discussions with parents, 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.

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Description of the school

St Stephen's is larger than average. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is well below average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is broadly average but increasing. Very few of these pupils are at the early stages of learning English. There are fewer pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities than usually found in a school of this size. These pupils are mainly identified as having dyslexia and/or dyscalculia. The school has Healthy Schools and Sportsmark status.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: St Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 2008

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Grade: 2

St Stephen's is a good school. Pupils achieve well. Its caring ethos and Christian values underpin the pupils' excellent personal development. Consequently, pupils are prepared well for moving on to secondary school. Most parents are appreciative of the school's efforts and as one wrote, 'Teachers and support staff are committed to nurturing each child'. Pupils start with attainment that is above average generally, although there are variations from year to year. They make good progress as a result of the good teaching and attain standards that are usually well above average overall. Progress is consistently good in English and was outstanding for pupils leaving in 2007. The good teaching of English lessons is boosted by the appropriate emphasis being given to developing pupils' literacy in meaningful contexts in other subjects. For instance, pupils described how using different ways of writing in geography and

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Grade: 2

history helped them to improve their writing skills. There is more fluctuation from year to year in results for mathematics and science. The school reacts rigorously to any identified dips in performance. For example, results in Year 6 tests in science fell in 2006. After careful analysis, the school strengthened the monitoring of pupils' progress and introduced additional classes for targeted pupils in Year 6. Consequently, results in 2007 returned to their previously high level. Some pupils make slower progress in mathematics and fewer pupils attain the highest level than in English or science. The school is adopting similar strategies to those that worked so well in science and additionally is making more use of computers to aid pupils' mathematical development. It is too soon to judge fully the effectiveness of these measures, but the school's monitoring shows that there are dips in performance in Year 5, which is a concern for a significant

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Grade: 2

minority of parents. However, it also shows that progress has accelerated in most classes. Adults are good role models and pupils respond positively. Relationships are excellent between all members of the school community. Pupils say that everyone shows tolerance and respect for other beliefs and cultures. There are many opportunities for pupils to take responsibility. They do so willingly. The school council is very active and says that its views are valued. It has contributed to the school review of the curriculum as pupils were able to identify topics that had been repeated in different classes without going into more depth. This contributed to the improvement in science results in 2007. As the pupils said, `lessons are more interesting now'. Another pupil added that, 'I like the fact that we have more mathematical games'. The governors delayed sending to parents a home-school agreement in order to adopt changes recommended

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Grade: 2

by the school council. Behaviour is exemplary and pupils feel very safe. Aspects of the curriculum are outstanding. There is excellent provision for health education and pupils understand very well healthy-living issues. This is supplemented by the rich range of extra-curricular sports activities. The many opportunities for pupils to engage in creative work is a considerable strength. For instance, Year 4 pupils spoke very enthusiastically about work they had done as part of their project on India. This contributes significantly to pupils' enjoyment. Their interest is also stimulated by a range of visitors and visits including residential trips in Years 4 and 6. Teachers use computers imaginatively. Their effective use of interactive whiteboards adds interest to the lessons for pupils. There are also ample opportunities for pupils to use computers in a variety of contexts. This enables pupils to use their good computer

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Grade: 2

skills to learn in other subjects too. The school makes good use of cramped accommodation. High quality displays of pupils' work enliven the careworn building, which the school recognises need refurbishment. The school has been innovative and there is some exciting work. However, until recently it did not check carefully enough that all subjects were being covered fully with 4 of 9 Inspection Report: St Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 2008 the increased use of cross-curricular themes. The school has now reviewed its provision and found there were minor gaps in some subjects and repetition in others. Appropriate changes to the curriculum are planned but not yet implemented. Pastoral support is good and staff know the pupils well. The school works well with other partners to ensure that vulnerable children are cared for well. The school is supporting parents to help their children who have particular difficulties with reading. There are no underachieving

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Grade: 2

groups. However, a few vulnerable pupils did not make the expected progress in the 2007 Year 6 tests, partly because of below average attendance. The school has taken steps to address this and analysis of its own data shows they are now making good progress. Generally, procedures for promoting attendance are robust, and it is above average. Academic guidance is good. Teachers give constructive feedback to pupils and so they know what they have to do to improve. The headteacher provides good leadership and is supported well by her management team and through the hard work of the staff. The school uses evidence well and consequently knows its strengths and weaknesses. This means that the right priorities for improvement are identified in the school development plan. The school is forward looking and seeking to improve further. For instance, it is rightly proud of its successful integration of modern foreign languages into

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Grade: 2

the curriculum and of the high standards attained by the pupils. The governors are very supportive of the school. Under the astute leadership of their new chair they have recently extended their monitoring role and now act as effective critical friends to the school. Given its good track record and continuing development, the capacity to improve further is good.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that pupils make good progress in mathematics.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that the curriculum covers all subjects fully. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: St Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 2008 .

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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 Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 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 capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

2 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 2 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?

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 of 9 Inspection Report: St Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 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 2 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 2 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 Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

03 April 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Stephen's Church of England Junior School,Twickenham,TW1 1LF Thank you very much for your help and cooperation when I inspected your school. You told me that St Stephen's is a good school and I agree. You enjoy coming to school and feel safe there. Your school council members do well on your behalf and told me that their views are valued. For instance, their views have been taken into account when changing the way science and other subjects are taught. They represent you very well. Year 4 pupils talked very enthusiastically and with confidence on their project on India. They were rightly proud of their work and the continuing links with the Indian village. I agree with you that St Stephen's is a good school. These are the things that I particularly like about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You do well in your work, particularly in English.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You mature into responsible young people.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ There is a thriving community and you get along well with one another.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You have good teachers who make lessons interesting and work hard for you.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school provides a rich diet of activities, both in class and after school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school is led well by the headteacher and her team.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

The school is keen to do even better. For instance, it very much wants to improve the site so that you can do more things, for instance work in groups. I have also asked the school to ensure that:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ you do as well in mathematics as you do in English

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ all subjects are taught as much as they should be.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

For your part please ask if you do not understand. The teachers will be very pleased to help you. And finally, thank you very much for your kind gift of Indian tea. I wish you continuing success in the future. Barry Jones Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: St Stephen's Church of England Junior School, 27 March 2008

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