St Peter's Catholic Primary School

St Peter's Catholic Primary School Inspection report

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106241 Unique Reference Number Tameside Local Authority 309067 Inspection number 23 October 2007 Inspection date Clare Henderson 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 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 257 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Elizabeth Merrylees Chair Mrs Elaine Summersgill Headteacher 20 October 2003 Date of previous school inspection Hough Hill Road School address Stalybridge Cheshire SK15 2HB 0161 3383303 Telephone number 0161 3032073 Fax number

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3-11 Age group 23 October 2007 Inspection date 309067 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 one Additional Inspector. The following issues were investigated: standards and achievement of higher attaining pupils in writing and mathematics, particularly in Key Stage 1; pupils' multicultural development; and the effectiveness of guidance given to pupils through target-setting. Evidence was gathered from: observation of learning; the pupils' work; discussion with pupils, the staff and governors; and a scrutiny of school documents and 79 parent questionnaires. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation form, were not justified. These have been included, where appropriate, in this report.

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Description of the school

This is a large parish based school. A below average proportion of pupils take up free school meals. The percentage of pupils identified as having learning difficulties and/or disabilities and the proportion of those most vulnerable is below average. The vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage. A few pupils of minority ethnic heritage are at an early stage of learning English. The school has gained the Healthy Schools Award.

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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 Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 2007

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Grade: 1

St Peter's is an outstanding school that provides excellent value for money. It is founded, as parents proudly state, 'on a family approach in which teamwork is paramount'. The school is held in high regard by parents, the parish and local community. A typical viewpoint of parents is 'We feel privileged to have our children at such a lovely school'. Most parents appreciate the care and devotion shown by staff. They are right to do so, because the school provides an outstanding level of care, guidance and support. All adults, with support from outside agencies, do all they can to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable pupils and work tirelessly to support and guide them. Pupils' self-esteem and learning is guided sensitively, paving the way towards their high achievement and excellent personal development. Pupils take immense pride in their school and exclaim that, 'We think it's the best!' Their pride

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Grade: 1

is reflected in excellent rates of attendance and exemplary behaviour. They strongly resist any form of bullying or racism and show much concern for others, for example, as playground leaders, school council members and through their partnership with a nursery school in Gambia. Worry boxes and pupil questionnaires ensure that pupils' views have a bearing on school life. Pupils' awareness of other cultures and their spiritual, moral and social development are outstanding. They are acutely aware of the benefits of good diet and exercise, as seen in the achievement of the Healthy Schools Award. In acquiring secure literacy, numeracy and study skills, pupils are very well prepared for the future. Pupils' achievement is outstanding. Their standards on starting Year 1 are at, or near, the levels expected for their age. Standards at the end of Year 2, in 2007, were above average for all groups of pupils. There is an improvement on those attained in 2006, particularly for the more

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Grade: 1

able pupils in writing and mathematics. This was as a direct result of the school's swift action in putting in place specific programmes to improve pupils' writing and mathematical skills. Pupils' achievement from Years 3 to 6 is consistently high. Standards are well above average in English, mathematics and science and are rising year on year because the school sets very challenging targets, which pupils reach. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those most vulnerable or at an early stage of learning English benefit from skilled teaching, which helps them to make exceptionally good progress. Support from within the local community for pupils at an early stage of learning English greatly improves their command of the language. Able and gifted pupils also progress rapidly in response to teachers' high expectations. Teaching is outstanding. The way pupils are managed and encouraged is of the highest calibre

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Grade: 1

and, consequently, they give of their best. Teachers ensure that pupils know exactly what is expected of them, how well they are learning and what they need to do to improve. Their understanding is carefully checked and extended through excellent use of self and peer group assessment, enabling them to become confident, independent learners. Lessons are challenging and move along swiftly. The work provided and the targets set are tailored carefully to match pupils' different learning needs. Concentration and interest levels are high. This accelerates learning and promotes high achievement. Pupils' enjoyment of learning and their achievement are positively influenced by a stimulating curriculum, which imaginatively links subjects together to make learning interesting and fun for all groups of pupils. Partnerships are grasped to bring breadth and a wider range of specialisms to the curriculum. For example, the very effective health education programme,

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Grade: 1

residential visits and excellent range of additional activities provide unique opportunities for 4 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 2007 pupils to: experience the wider world; learn to speak a choice of other languages; develop their talents in art, music and sport; and appreciate safe and healthy lifestyles. The headteacher and deputy headteacher provide outstanding leadership and management, never resting on their laurels in their pursuit of excellence. Senior staff check the work of the school by observing lessons and analysing pupils' progress on a regular basis. This provides a wealth of information, enabling governors to provide excellent support and challenge to the school. Areas for improvement, such as raising standards in Key Stage 1 for the more able in writing and mathematics, have been clearly identified and very successfully improved. At the time of the previous inspection, the school was judged to be good. Since then, standards have

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Grade: 1

risen, yet there is no hint of complacency. This is why the school was over cautious when it judged some areas of its work to be good, when in fact they are outstanding. Pupils say the school is the best, but the view of the staff is that, 'We continue to strive for excellence in all we do'. This reflects the school's drive and excellent capacity for further improvement.

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Grade: 1

Provision in the Foundation Stage is outstanding. Children get off to an excellent start in Nursery and Reception because of the exemplary care and attention they receive from staff. This, accompanied by high quality teaching and strong and effective leadership, sets excellent foundations for the children's journey in learning and their personal development. The school has fostered excellent links with parents, who are happy with all aspects of provision. 'My child is thoroughly enjoying school, I have noticed a difference in their speech and use of language,' and, 'They are able to express a view about the topics being taught,' typify the wholehearted support of parents. Activities in both Nursery and Reception enable children to explore, investigate, design, build and enjoy new experiences imaginatively and freely in a stimulating environment that makes best use of both indoor and outdoor space. This is why most children,

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Grade: 1

from a broadly average starting point, achieve standards expected for their age at the end of the Foundation Stage and move smoothly into Year 1.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ The school has identified accurately its priorities for further improvement and so there are no further ones to add. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 2007 .

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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 Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 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? 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

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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 extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 1 How well learners enjoy their education 1 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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 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 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 Catholic Primary School, 23 October 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Thank you so much for being really helpful to me during my visit and for your warm welcome and politeness in answering all my questions. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and would like to share my findings with you. I enjoyed looking at some of your work and listening to what you said during lessons. I agree with you that staff listen to what you have to say, take really good care of you and make sure that you all do really well. These are some of the reasons why you mature into such courteous and caring individuals, who show great interest in other people. The personal qualities you gain are excellent and will equip you very well for your life ahead. You told me that your school was, 'the best'. After spending a day with you, I agree that it is outstanding in every way. When I asked you what you liked best, you said the staff. I agree with you that your headteacher and deputy headteacher are excellent leaders who do everything

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

they can to make your time in school enjoyable, happy and worthwhile. Teachers and support assistants work extremely hard to make your lessons interesting and provide work at just the right level to help you learn successfully. This is why your achievement is exceptionally good and the standards you reach are well above average by the time you are ready to move on to high school. As well as providing a first-class education for you, all adults within your school do their very best to keep you safe and help you to understand why it is important to be healthy and hardworking. Your behaviour and the care you show for others and your school is excellent. Your school is very successful. Your headteacher and your teachers know exactly what needs to be done to improve your school even more. You can help by continuing to listen to your teachers and do your best at all times. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: St Peter's Catholic Primary School, 23 October 2007

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