St Sebastian's RC Primary School

St Sebastian's RC Primary School Inspection report

p.1

105963 Unique Reference Number Salford Local Authority 308996 Inspection number 2 °3 October 2007 Inspection dates Derek Aitken 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 127 School The governing body Appropriate authority Fr L Houlihan Chair Mr E McDermott Headteacher 31 March 2003 Date of previous school inspection Douglas Green School address Salford Lancashire M6 6ET 0161 7366875 Telephone number 0161 9211629 Fax number

p.1

3-11 Age group 2 °3 October 2007 Inspection dates 308996 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

The inspection was carried out by one Additional Inspector.

p.3

Description of the school

This small school serves an area characterised by considerable social and economic deprivation in the west of the city. This is reflected in the well above average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals. While most pupils are White British, a substantial number of pupils are of minority ethnic heritage and there are some pupils from traveller families. A small minority of pupils are at an early stage of learning English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is average. More pupils than is usually the case join or leave the school between Year 1 and the end of Year 6. The school is participating in the Intensified Support Programme (ISP) for literacy and numeracy. It holds the Activemark award. The school is being federated with a neighbouring school in January 2008 on the retirement of the current headteacher.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.3

Grade: 2

This is a good school as the vast majority of parents and carers agree. Comments such as, 'My daughter's progress has started to show. She enjoys school and likes all her teachers. All the children are equal, no matter where they come from' reflect the opinions of many parents. On entry to the Nursery, children's skills are much lower than typically expected of three- year-olds. When pupils leave school at the end of Year 6 standards are average because they achieve well in both key stages. Their progress is closely tracked. Well-considered programmes enable those pupils who find learning difficult to improve their basic skills. The curriculum has been equally successful in raising standards for pupils of all abilities, although some weaknesses in writing in Years 4 and 5 remain, as a result of previous underachievement in this skill. Staff relate well to pupils and ensure they work hard in lessons by having high expectations both for

p.4

Grade: 2

their academic progress and behaviour. Pupils learn well because of the good teaching. Assessment, while satisfactory overall, does not fully support pupils' learning, because it is not used effectively enough in lessons. Pupils enjoy school. They play well together and find most of their learning fun. They appreciate how visits, visitors and the Year 5 residential in Prestatyn have contributed to their education. They are proud of their recent successes in sport, although their commitment to physical fitness is not fully backed up by their eating preferences. The school cares for its pupils well. It makes a big effort to ensure newcomers are quickly accepted into the community and valued. Staff and pupils work well together to ensure all members get along in a safe, harmonious atmosphere. Pupils play a significant role in supporting this drive by being welcoming and considerate to others. Opportunities are limited for pupils to play a fuller part in the life of the school and so

p.4

Grade: 2

enhance their self-esteem. The school benefits from a committed staff who are well led by senior leaders. Leadership and management are good at all levels apart from the Foundation Stage, where there is currently a vacancy. The majority of the arrangements to monitor the performance of the school are effectively focused on sustaining the recent improvements and directing future development. Arrangements for monitoring teaching and learning, through lesson observations, are less well developed. The school works effectively with a range of partners to develop the quality of education it provides. It has recovered well from its recent dip in performance and has good capacity to improve further. The school provides good value for money.

p.4

Grade: 3

The Foundation Stage provides a satisfactory education for the young children. On entry to Nursery children's skills and knowledge are well below the level expected nationally for three-year-olds. They make satisfactory progress overall in all areas of learning. When they leave the Reception class the vast majority are working towards the early learning goals, but children's skills are still well below average in aspects of literacy and numeracy and in their knowledge and understanding of the world. They make a little better progress in their personal development because good behaviour and the importance of 'taking turns' is effectively emphasised. This is reflected in the children's friendly relationships with others, including adults. Their progress is hindered by some weaknesses in planning in the Nursery. These reduce the curricular experiences open to the children. The limited facilities to learn through outdoor

p.4

Grade: 3

4 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007 play restrict the children's opportunities to develop their creative skills. Classrooms are efficiently organised with appropriate displays to enable the children to feel settled and to support their learning. The Foundation Stage has lacked continuity in leadership over the past year. This has hindered developmental planning.

p.4

What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the curriculum in the Foundation Stage.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Enable pupils to contribute more fully to the work of the school.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Use assessment more effectively to enhance pupils' learning.

p.5

Grade: 2

From Year 1 upwards pupils build well on their earlier attainment and make especially good progress in Year 2, Year 5 and Year 6. There have been inadequacies in standards in both key stages in recent years. Standards rose, however, to below national average in Year 2 and to broadly average in Year 6 in 2007. For the latter group of pupils this represented particularly good progress from their below average starting points. Improvements in English and science were especially notable. The implementation of a focused writing scheme is enabling most pupils to write at greater length and with increasing accuracy. This is not yet reflected in the work of the present Year 4 and Year 5 pupils due to prior underachievement in this skill. A better understanding of scientific terminology is underpinning pupils' improvements in science. Overall, boys and girls achieve equally well and the present Year 6 pupils are on track to meet

p.5

Grade: 2

challenging targets. Pupils who require extra help make good progress. This is due to effective tracking and successful intervention programmes, for example in reading, and good support from teaching assistants.

p.5

Grade: 2

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. They understand right and wrong and show, in the friendly way they mix together, their acceptance of, and respect for, cultural differences. Pupils behave well and they are provided with good opportunities in class to develop cooperative skills. They respond well to praise and encouragement. Pupils enjoy their lessons and the enrichment activities and are proud of their recent successes in football and netball. They are aware of the importance of healthy lifestyles but not all pupils choose to follow this in practice in their eating habits. Pupils demonstrate a good awareness of and concern for each other's safety, as shown, for example, in their sensible behaviour on the staircases. Attendance is satisfactory, but remains short of the target the school sets for itself. While pupils make some valuable contributions to the local and wider community, for example,

p.5

Grade: 2

through fundraising activities, opportunities for them to play a full role in school life are underdeveloped. Rising standards in basic skills, including information and communication technology (ICT), ensure that pupils, overall, are well-prepared to meet the challenges of later life. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.5

Grade: 2

Pupils learn well because staff have good expectations for their progress. Teachers manage pupils skilfully and foster good relationships. Tasks are explained clearly so that pupils settle quickly and work hard. Teachers have good subject knowledge which provides an effective direction to pupils' learning. Lessons are interesting with a good mix of teacher input and practical activities to develop pupils' skills and understanding. Teachers use ICT effectively to sustain pupils' concentration and involvement in their learning. Questioning is usually good, but sometimes opportunities are missed to extend pupils' thinking. Classroom assistants provide a good level of support in helping those pupils who need extra assistance. Teachers' marking provides useful guidance for pupils on how to improve their work. This good quality of assessment is not fully supported in the classroom and this restricts the opportunities pupils

p.6

Grade: 2

have to reflect on, and contribute to, their learning.

p.6

Grade: 2

The curriculum provides pupils with a good range of learning experiences and enables them to achieve well in both their personal and academic development. A strong emphasis on developing their basic skills is proving successful. New initiatives, such as a new approach to writing, are contributing to significant improvements in pupils' literacy skills, although these are still not strong enough in Years 4 and 5. Teachers have used the ISP well to raise standards of literacy and numeracy. The curriculum is flexible in meeting the needs of most pupils well. Targeted pupils benefit from well planned and modified programmes, especially for reading. Strategies to support higher attainers, including gifted and talented pupils, are less developed but booster sessions in Year 6 have proved effective in supporting their achievement. ICT is used well to support learning across a range of subjects, especially in Key Stage 2. The good quality of

p.6

Grade: 2

enrichment activities enhances pupils' learning.

p.6

Grade: 2

Levels of support from staff to promote pupils' welfare are good, both in quality and quantity. This ensures that pupils, including new arrivals to this country, feel safe, nurtured and happy. Staff monitor pupils' behaviour well to ensure good relationships are maintained and they mostly succeed in resolving the few instances of bullying to the pupils' satisfaction. Rewards and incentives for hard work and good behaviour are used well to encourage pupils. The learning mentor has contributed effectively to the school's drive to raise the level of attendance. Despite some improvements in the school's systems and procedures, which have contributed to a small rise in attendance, managers recognise that this is a continuing priority. Arrangements for child protection, including the safe recruitment of staff, and health and safety meet current government guidelines. Pupils' academic progress is promoted by good tracking systems and,

p.6

Grade: 2

in the case of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, underpinned by carefully selected recovery programmes. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.6

Grade: 2

The school is well led and managed. Senior leaders have responded energetically and well to the challenges offered through participation in the ISP. This has sharpened their focus, raised the expectations and sense of accountability for pupils' progress amongst staff and improved the rigour of leaders' analysis of the performance of the school. Leaders have an accurate appreciation of the key strengths and weaknesses of the school and the priorities for future improvement. Effective action has been taken to improve the quality of teamwork and teaching. Although the legacy of underachievement has not been fully eliminated, leaders have made good use of external support to secure a considerable rise in standards and achievement in Key Stage 2 within a short space of time. This improvement has enabled leaders to set more ambitious targets for pupils. Resources are used well to raise standards, especially in the basic skills.

p.7

Grade: 2

Governors provide a good level of support and challenge to the work of the school. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007 .

p.7

Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.8

Inspection judgements

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

p.9

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? 3 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

p.9

Achievement and standards

2 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 2 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

p.9

learners?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 3 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well learners enjoy their education 3 The attendance of learners 2 The behaviour of learners 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

p.9

and interests of learners?

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

p.9

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: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.9

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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Inspection of St Sebastian's Roman Catholic Primary School, Salford M6 6ET I visited your school recently to find out how well you are learning. Thank you for making me welcome and being helpful when I talked to you. I was lucky to have the opportunity to speak to some of you at greater length. I was pleased to listen to your varied reasons for enjoying things in school. I was impressed to hear of your success in football and netball competitions. I was a bit less impressed when some told me of their eating habits! Your school gives you a good education. You have good opportunities to develop your skills and talents. All this helps you to become more confident and develop well both personally and socially. I agree with you that the staff look after you well. They know each of you as individuals and work hard to ensure you all get along well with each other. You play your part in this by mixing well and showing respect for each other. Your teachers ensure that you learn many

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

useful things and make your learning interesting. They keep you busy in lessons and this helps you make good progress. As you say, 'learning is fun'. The teachers have worked hard to help you improve your skills in English, mathematics and science. Keep up the good work here! There are some things that I have asked the headteacher and staff to do to make your learning better. They need to bring about some improvements in the Nursery and Reception to help the younger children learn better. When I spoke to you, it was clear you felt you would benefit from more opportunities to contribute to the running of the school. I agree and have asked the staff to ensure this happens in future. The teachers mark your work carefully and give you helpful hints on how to improve your work. I have asked them to match that by giving you equally good opportunities in lessons to assess your work which should help you learn even

p.11

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

better. You are attending school more often, but some of you are still inclined to have too much time off and are missing out on the good opportunities offered by the school, so your task is to try to attend as often as possible. 11 of 11 Inspection Report: St Sebastian's RC Primary School, 2 °3 October 2007

p.11