Cookham Nursery School

Cookham Nursery School Inspection report

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109754 Unique Reference Number Windsor and Maidenhead Local Authority 310086 Inspection number 13 December 2007 Inspection date Bernice Magson 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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Nursery Type of school Maintained School category 3 °5 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 68 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Judith Curry Chair Mrs Judi Charters Headteacher 27 September 2004 Date of previous school inspection Station Hill School address Cookham Maidenhead SL6 9BT 01628 520002 Telephone number 01628 520002 Fax number

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3-5 Age group 13 December 2007 Inspection date 310086 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; how well the needs of all children are addressed by the school's provision, how successful is the school in improving children's personal and academic development, and the effectiveness of systems of self-evaluation in setting the school's future direction and measuring its performance. Evidence was gathered from the school's records, planning and policies, from observing teaching and learning, and from discussion with staff and governors. 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 self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included in this report.

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Description of the school

The nursery serves the village of Cookham, and the surrounding area. Most children are of white European backgrounds. The majority children are admitted at the start of the term closest to their fourth birthday, and move to primary school when they are five years of age. They attend either a morning or afternoon session, with an option of a lunchtime place. Many have already attended an early years setting, and their attainment on entry is mainly above the expected goals for children of this age. Very few children have learning difficulties and disabilities. The school has achieved Investors in People and Effective Early Learning Quality Assurance with Investors in Children accreditation. Also, the school has Healthy and Eco Schools 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: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 2007

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school, which serves its local community extremely well. The Nursery provides children with an excellent start to their education. Under the guidance of an outstanding headteacher, children achieve very well and standards are well above those expected for children of this age overall. In early reading and writing, standards are not quite as high, although still above national expectations. Parents speak very favourably about the good progress their children achieve, which is the result of the high quality of provision. One parent reflected the overwhelming views of others in commenting that the Nursery provides her child with 'a long-lasting love of learning and enquiry, and a good respect for the needs of others'. Children receive outstanding care and support. The school's ethos is calm and purposeful. Staff know each child very well and value their individual contributions. An effective key worker

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Grade: 1

system is in operation, which is very effective in tracking the progress of each child, and ensuring that the school identifies their individual needs. As a result, children feel completely safe and secure and enjoy school very much. They attend very regularly. Their personal development and well-being is exceptional. A strong feature is the confidence, cooperation and ownership which children display in their learning. For example, unaided, a group of children organised a music concert and puppet show in which each contributor had a clearly defined role, ably led by a proficient conductor. Relationships between children and also with adults are outstanding. Children behave exceptionally well, and understand how to take care of themselves. They are developing an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles, and enjoy energetic outdoor play. Their appreciation of local and global issues is developing successfully. For example, they are

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Grade: 1

recycling plastics and paper and are creating their own compost heap. Teaching and learning, and the curriculum are outstanding. Teachers have high expectations and tailor the curriculum very well to meet each child's needs. Children have ample time to finish tasks to their own satisfaction, guided sensitively by skilful questioning from adults, if required. Liberal praise motivates children to attain even higher standards. There is an excellent range of curriculum activities, which captures the imagination and interest of individuals. A well-planned range of visitors and visits promote an awareness of cultural similarities and differences in the wider world. For example, planning shows that music and dance from India, Sweden and Scotland was introduced recently to inform children about special festivals and Saints days. Curriculum links maximise children's learning very effectively and prepares them

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Grade: 1

very well for their next stage in learning. There are ongoing opportunities for children to develop their skills of communication, language and literacy, and mathematical concepts. In role-play, for instance, children reinforced their recognition of numbers as they delivered Christmas presents from Santa's sleigh to homes, which were labelled as belonging to characters from traditional tales. Currently, the school has identified a need to review its curriculum activities for linking letters and sounds, and in early writing tasks, to ensure that children are challenged robustly. Leadership and management are outstanding. The headteacher has clarity in her vision for the direction of the school, ably supported by a cohesive staff team. She successfully motivates staff and has high expectations. Management systems are efficient and well-established, consequently the school operates very smoothly each day. Procedures for checking on the

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Grade: 1

school's performance are highly effective and challenging targets are set. The school is rigorous in the self-analysis of its performance. Governors know the school very well and give loyal 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 2007 support in evaluating the school's strengths and in planning for its future. The school has an excellent capacity to improve further.

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Grade: 1

As a Nursery school, the Foundation Stage is completely covered by the Overall effectiveness section.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Extend the range of early reading and writing activities in order to raise standards further in these areas. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 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: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 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? 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

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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?

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: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 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: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

3 January 2008 Dear Children Inspection of Cookham Nursery School,Maidenhead,SL6 9BT Thank you for making me so welcome when I visited your nursery school a few days ago. I think that you have an excellent school. I had a lovely time with you, and I can see why you enjoy the activities so much. I am sure that your mummies and daddies, grandparents and carers enjoyed your Christmas concerts. What I like most about your Nursery school is:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ you all want to come to Nursery and are very busy every day

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ you do very well in your learning, especially in things that help you grow up, like sharing, taking turns and tidying away your equipment ■ you have lots of exciting things to do and many of you like the outside area

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ everybody takes good care of you and this helps you to feel happy and safe

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ all the grown ups work very hard to keep making your school even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

All of your teachers, led by Mrs Charters, keep making things better all the time, so I know that your Nursery will continue to improve. I have asked your headteacher and teachers to carry on looking at the ways in which they help you with your reading and writing so that you will achieve even more than you do already. I hope you carry on enjoying your school and learning many interesting things. Best wishes Bernice Magson Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Cookham Nursery School, 13 December 2007

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