Clervaux Nursery School

Clervaux Nursery School Inspection report

p.1

108661 Unique Reference Number South Tyneside Local Authority 309760 Inspection number 8 May 2008 Inspection date Gianna Ulyatt Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Nursery Type of school Maintained School category 3 °4 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 56 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Alan Smith Chair Mrs Ann Stevens Headteacher 1 November 2004 Date of previous school inspection Clervaux Terrace School address Jarrow Tyne and Wear NE32 5UP 0191 4897358 Telephone number 0191 4838730 Fax number

p.1

3-4 Age group 8 May 2008 Inspection date 309760 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 who evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues; the progress children make and their levels of achievement; the quality of teaching and learning and the impact of leadership. Evidence was gathered from: school performance data and other documentation; observations of teaching and learning: evaluations of children’s activities, including how they interact with each other and within their learning environment: parents’ questionnaires and discussions with children, staff and governors. Other aspects of the school’s work were not investigated in detail, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest the school’s own assessment, as given in its self-evaluation form, were not justified and these have been included where appropriate in the report.

p.3

Description of the school

The nursery is situated in an area of social deprivation, although children who attend come from a very broad range of social backgrounds. Children attend on a part-time basis. The nursery admits them at the beginning of the term when they reach their third birthday. All children are of White British heritage. An above average proportion of children have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The school offers extended care in the form of daily lunch for those who are due to start primary school in September.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008

p.3

Grade: 1

This is an outstanding nursery. It is exceptionally well led because every single member of staff is completely focused on providing the very best education for the children it serves. Children bounce in every morning full of excited expectation. They know there will be many captivating activities on offer both indoors and outside. The school has an extremely good reputation within the community and beyond and continually seeks to extend partnerships locally. The partnership with parents is extremely strong. Parents have daily opportunities to discuss any issues they may have with staff. Their views are highly valued by the school and parents actively contribute to children’s profiles. Parents are delighted with the wonderful learning opportunities their children have and unanimously support the work of the school. One parent, whose views are similar those of most, writes, ‘I am sure that after having such a great start to his education

p.4

Grade: 1

my son will excel at primary school.’ This is one of the reasons why the nursery is so popular and children love to come. When children enter the nursery their development is generally below that which is usually seen for children of this age. At the heart of children’s success is the outstanding progress they make in their personal development. Children are genuinely kind and caring towards each other. For example, one small boy asked the girl next to him if her poorly knee was getting better. Children develop high levels of independence and are expected to care for their environment with very limited adult support. Children, who are only three and four years of age, select their activities and the resources they need and tidy away after they are finished. They eagerly sweep up sand and wash out paint pots. Behaviour is outstanding and children’s knowledge about right and wrong is so clear that older children explain the rules of the nursery to the younger

p.4

Grade: 1

ones who have just started. Children achieve exceptionally well. In every location within the nursery there are books relevant to specific topics. Children often browse, enjoying the pictures and retelling the story in their own words. They learn to write their own name and some letter sounds. Many even recognise the names of other children. The teaching method used in the nursery has resulted in children’s speaking and listening skills reaching an extremely high level. This is because, each day, children explain which activities they are going to choose, the resources they need and what they intend to achieve. Mathematics is used as part of everyday life in the nursery. Consequently most children recognise shapes, count objects to 10 and recognise numbers up to 20. Children’s knowledge and understanding of the world rapidly increases as they learn and play in the inspiring garden. Children thoroughly enjoy creative and physical activity, as one parent

p.4

Grade: 1

commented, ‘My daughter is learning to share and is singing and dancing when she comes home.’ By the time they leave for primary school, children of all abilities, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, have made exceptional progress. Most children’s development is then in advance of that normally seen. They are particularly well prepared in early reading, writing and mathematics to make the most of their education. Excellent teaching by well trained, experienced and professional staff ensures that the nursery never stands still. Staff are always seeking new ideas to make learning fun for all children. A particular strength of teaching is the in-depth knowledge each staff member has about her own group of children. Staff make short, relevant notes about children’s achievements throughout the session. They use this valuable information to guide and direct new learning, through well focused and appropriate talk. This is one of the main reasons why children achieve

p.4

Grade: 1

4 of 9 Inspection Report: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008 so well. Their understanding is deepened through close and relevant adult interaction during practical, play activity. The curriculum is exciting and so well planned that children are completely inspired to learn through all six areas, both indoors and outside. Children thoroughly enjoy learning and therefore attendance is good. In addition, children go on many visits, some near to the nursery and others further afield to extend their understanding of the community in which they live. Children have healthy snacks and good quality lunches each day. They know that eating well, running fast and washing hands are very important. The nursery ensures children learn about differences in people so they are well prepared for the multi-cultural society in which they live. The nursery analyses children’s learning and adapts and successfully changes the way drama, role play and

p.4

Grade: 1

activities that promote early writing skills are presented in order to attract more boys to these activities. Parents confirm that the nursery provides exceptional levels of care for its children. One parent writes, ‘We think this nursery is excellent. We feel confident that our daughter is valued and well cared for.’ Relationships are exemplary and so children are completely at ease within the family atmosphere created by the nursery. New children settle well and quickly because the excellent care begins when staff visit them in their home prior to them joining the nursery. Staff use this good opportunity to find out as much as they can about the children and encourage parents to contribute to their own child’s new profile. Systems and procedures to protect and safeguard them are in place and well adhered to. Staff are very vigilant and well informed about protecting children. Leadership and management, though modest in its judgement, are outstanding. The headteacher

p.5

Grade: 1

provides the staff with an exceptionally clear direction resulting in a strong, enthusiastic and loyal team who are completely committed to providing an early years curriculum based on meeting the individual needs of every child. Self-evaluation clearly reflects the nursery’s commitment to high quality provision. The school’s system to check children’s progress is developing and the school is beginning to analyse information from staff to ensure that all groups of children and individuals make the progress they are capable of. The school is very well supported by governors who are extremely knowledgeable. They question its work and play a full and active part in its day to day work. This is an outstanding nursery where children achieve exceptionally well. Therefore value for money is excellent.

p.5

Grade: 1

As this is a nursery school, the Foundation Stage is completely covered by the Overall Effectiveness section.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ There are no development points that the nursery has not already identified in its improvement plan. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008 .

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: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008

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? 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

p.7

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

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: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008

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: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

8 May 2008 Dear Children Inspection of Clervaux Nursery School, South Tyneside, NE32 5UP Thank you so much for making me very welcome during my visit to your fantastic nursery. You go to an outstanding nursery which means it is one of the very best in the whole country. This is why you enjoy every minute you spend there and why you are learning so well. I was thrilled to see you writing your names and looking at books. You can spot numbers easily and count the right number of apples on trees. Your paintings are very interesting and you mix colours well. I loved the play you made with huge cardboard boxes and the way you ran different cars down the ramp. What clever children you are! Do you know what I liked best of all? I loved the way older children showed younger ones how to behave inside and outside. I liked the way you do all the tidying away. This showed me how much you care about your nursery. Most of all I like the way you are kind and helpful with each

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

other and the way you care about your friends. Your teachers are excellent. They work very hard to make sure you have plenty of exciting things to do every day. They spend a lot of time talking with you to help you understand what you are doing. I can see now why you are all so good at talking about your ideas. Your mums and dads are very pleased with your nursery and they told me you really like to come because everyone in the nursery takes really good care of you and you learn such a lot. You are certainly ready for the Reception class and I hope you continue to enjoy your education when you go to the primary school in September. With very best wishes Gianna Ulyatt Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Clervaux Nursery School, 8 May 2008

p.9