Westwood Farm Junior School

Westwood Farm Junior School Inspection report

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109845 Unique Reference Number West Berkshire Local Authority 310121 Inspection number 3 °4 October 2007 Inspection dates John Collins 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 Community School category 7 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 234 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Roger King Chair Mrs Sharon Jones Headteacher 24 March 2003 Date of previous school inspection Fullbrook Crescent School address Tilehurst Reading RG31 6RY 0118 942 5182 Telephone number 0118 945 4498 Fax number

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7-11 Age group 3 °4 October 2007 Inspection dates 310121 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This average-sized junior school has a hearing-impaired resources unit that currently caters for six children. The proportions of pupils eligible for free school meals, those from minority ethnic groups and those pupils whose first language is not English, are well-below average. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is broadly average, although that of pupils with statements of special educational needs is above average. Attainment on entry is broadly average but fluctuates from year to year. Approximately two-thirds of pupils come from outside the school's catchment area.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007

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Grade: 2

This is an effective school providing a good education. More than one parent wrote about how happy they are with the school, a sentiment echoed in the words of their children, who say how much they enjoy coming to school. One parent described it as 'all round excellence!' A particular feature of the school is the very good inclusion of pupils from the hearing impaired unit in the everyday life of the school. The school has a good capacity to improve because of good leadership and management that has a clear focus on raising standards and achievement. The school has successfully addressed the issues identified in the last inspection by substantially raising standards in science. Whilst governors are supportive of the school, they could develop further their role in holding the school to account by questioning and challenging its future plans for development. The latest 2007 test and assessment data shows that the school has successfully raised standards

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Grade: 2

after the previous dip in 2006. Standards are now above average and pupils are achieving well. Consistently good teaching and good use of assessment data have contributed to this. As the school can now more closely monitor pupils' progress, any underachievement can be quickly identified and appropriate support provided. However, in some lessons planned opportunities for writing are not always challenging enough, particularly for pupils of lower ability. Pupils respond to the high expectations of their teachers with considerable enthusiasm and interest. They are very well behaved in class, concentrate well and work hard because 'learning is fun'. This was particularly evident in the two outstanding lessons seen. Many pupils speak of their enjoyment of learning and are pleased at the responsibilities they are given. Pupils feel the school council is giving them a say in 'helping to make the school better'. The school is

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Grade: 2

developing further its already good links with the community and other schools. Regular physical education lessons, sporting clubs such as judo, outdoor activities and swimming contribute well to pupils' enjoyment and taking healthy exercise. The recent improvements in the provision for information and communication technology (ICT) have raised pupils' enthusiasm for learning and ICT is beginning to be used to support learning in other subjects such as science, geography and history. More could be done to extend opportunities for pupils to use these, and their literacy and numeracy skills in other subjects.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in writing, particularly for lower achieving pupils.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Develop the role of the governing body as a critical friend of the school.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Provide more opportunities for pupils to use their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills in other subjects.

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Grade: 2

The latest test results from 2007 are significantly better than 2006. Standards in English, mathematics and science are now above average at the expected Level 4. Results at the higher Level 5 are particularly good as pupils are attaining well above average standards in English and science and above average standards in mathematics. Standards in writing overall have also improved significantly from 2006, but relatively less so than those in reading. The school has already identified the need to address this issue in its development plans. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007 Most pupils achieve well from broadly average standards on entry to the school. This is due to consistently good teaching and challenging targets that are helping to drive up standards. Pupils in the hearing impaired unit make very good progress because of the excellent provision made for their particular needs. Assessment information is shared across the school so that

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Grade: 2

subject leaders have a very clear view of what needs to be done in order to improve.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good, with social and moral development being real strengths. Pupils freely express how much they enjoy school. This is reflected in the above average attendance. They say that bullying is rare because 'we all get on well together'. Behaviour overall is good. In lessons, behaviour and positive attitudes are excellent and contribute significantly to pupils' learning. Behaviour during break times is good, and the new equipment bags are going a long way to dealing with the lively nature of a few pupils. Pupils make a good contribution to their school and the wider community through the work of the school council, various fund raising activities and their links with a school in Kenya. They have a good understanding of how to stay healthy through eating sensibly and physical exercise, as well as how to keep safe. Working in pairs and small groups in class helps develop

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Grade: 2

their self-confidence, which along side their good academic achievement prepares them well for the future.

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Grade: 2

Learning is good because teachers ensure that pupils have a clear understanding of what they are going to do. The objectives of lessons are shared at the start so that pupils are able to settle quickly to their tasks. This helps to generate a good pace to learning and a purposeful working atmosphere. Pupil-teacher relationships are very good, and as a result, pupils respond with enthusiasm and interest. Pupils talk of enjoying lessons because 'teachers explain things to you and tell you what you have done wrong so you can improve'. However, in some lessons the work planned does not always sufficiently challenge pupils of different abilities. In writing, for example, lower attainers do not always have tasks well matched to their abilities. Teachers' questioning is good, giving opportunities for pupils to expand their answers and ideas. This contributes well to their personal development by making them confident and raising their

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Grade: 2

self-esteem. There is very good support by well-trained support assistants for hearing-impaired pupils, those with learning difficulties and special educational needs, enabling them to play a full part in lessons.

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Grade: 2

The good curriculum and enrichment activities help to promote pupils' academic skills and their personal development well. Pupils in the hearing impaired unit and those with individual education programmes are given equal access to all areas of the curriculum through carefully planned programmes and very good support. There is a strong focus on developing language skills in literacy and numeracy for all pupils. A good example of work that links different subjects is that of Year 5 pupils on 'the layered rainforest'. Nevertheless, the school acknowledges that 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007 more opportunities could be created for pupils to use the key skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT more consistently across all subjects. Theme weeks such as the 'healthy heart week' enable pupils to develop a good understanding of a healthy life style. The school provides a good

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Grade: 2

range of sporting and musical clubs. It is aware of the views of both parents and pupils in wanting a wider range of activities and has them under review.

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Grade: 2

The good care, guidance and support results in all pupils feeling safe and happy. The procedures for protecting and safeguarding pupils meet statutory requirements, are thorough and understood by all staff. The school is very inclusive and all pupils are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school. The needs of gifted and talented pupils are becoming a securely established feature of the care and guidance of the school. Parents appreciate the good support they and their children receive in school. 'Teachers work closely with us so we can all help our son', commented one parent. Transition arrangements with the infant and the secondary schools are good, helping pupils to be confident when moving to the next stage in their education. The arrangements for tracking progress and setting targets to raise standards and achievement are very good. This information is increasingly being used effectively to ensure that individual

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Grade: 2

pupils, particularly those with a statement of special educational need, receive support and are set challenging but realistic targets. The early identification of underachievement enables good additional help to be given quickly to pupils with special educational needs.

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Grade: 2

This is a strongly inclusive school. The inclusion of hearing impaired pupils is excellent. One parent echoed the thoughts of many when declaring, 'I am very happy with this school.' Personal development and well-being are ably supported by a good curriculum and teaching that values pupils' contributions. The recent change of headteacher has been managed well. The new headteacher has quickly created a shared vision and sense of direction that is moving the school forward and leading the drive to raise standards. Governors give satisfactory support to the school and have started to raise their profile in school and among parents. At present, however, more could be done to improve their role as a critical friend by challenging more, and holding the school to account for the targets set out in the school development plan. Leadership by subject leaders is well established and they have made a significant contribution

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Grade: 2

to the improved standards. Good use of information about how well pupils are progressing is being used to set realistic and challenging targets that are supporting pupils' achievement. The involvement of pupils in assessing for themselves how well they are doing is developing. The school has a good view of its strengths and weaknesses. As part of its self-evaluation, it has already identified issues over writing and the school development plans have targets to address these. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007 .

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Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 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? 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?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The attendance of learners 2 The behaviour of learners 2 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. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 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 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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

11 October 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Westwood Farm Junior School,Reading,RG31 6RY We were very pleased to visit your school and see you working so hard. We agree with you that your school is good. Thank you for talking to us and showing us your work. The school council, 'Seniors' from Year 6 and others told us how much you enjoy coming to school and how proud you are of helping the school. We were impressed by your very good behaviour in class and your attitudes to your work. These are some of the things we think your school does well.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Most of you are now reaching higher standards in reading, writing, mathematics and science.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The headteacher, teachers and other staff, are doing a good job in running the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ We think the hearing impaired unit is very good at looking after its pupils.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Many of you told us how teachers make lessons fun and how helpful they are when you have problems. ■ We agree with those of you who told us you feel safe and happy at school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We think there are some things the school could do better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Improve your standards in writing by giving you really challenging work.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Plan activities in other subjects so that you can use your good skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT. ■ Help the governors to be more effective in challenging the school about what it is planning to do. You can all help by continuing to work hard and by listening carefully. Thank you for making our visit so enjoyable. Good luck to you in the future John Collins Lead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Westwood Farm Junior School, 3 °4 October 2007

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