Robert Piggott CofE Infant School

Robert Piggott CofE Infant School Inspection report

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109989 Unique Reference Number Wokingham Borough Council Local Authority 310166 Inspection number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Steven Hill 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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Infant Type of school Voluntary controlled School category 4 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 129 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Graham Howe Chair Mrs Sally Ann Akers Headteacher 8 December 2003 Date of previous school inspection Beverley Gardens School address Wargrave Reading RG10 8ED 0118 940 2414 Telephone number 0118 940 1571 Fax number

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4-7 Age group 18 March 2008 Inspection date 310166 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: the curriculum, pupils' progress, their personal development and how the school promotes this, and the provision and standards in the Foundation Stage. Evidence was gathered from the school's documentation, observations of lessons, break-times and assembly, discussions with pupils, staff and governors, and the results of national assessments. 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 its self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

This is a small infant school whose pupils come from Wargrave village or from other villages nearby. About 80% of pupils are of White British heritage, with the rest coming from a range of minority ethnic groups. Almost all pupils have English as a home language, and none are at the early stages of speaking English. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities (LDD) is broadly average, although it varies considerably from year to year. Few of these pupils have high levels of need. The majority of them have some difficulties with basic literacy and numeracy, or have emotional difficulties. The school has won a number of awards including Healthy Schools status and Activemark, and it is currently in the process of renewing its Gold Artsmark 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: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. Pupils make good progress because of good teaching. Their personal development is outstanding because of the excellent provision for their care, support and guidance. Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and their behaviour is excellent. Very positive relationships amongst each other and with staff, and consistent, clear expectations from adults across the school, support this well. Just as importantly, the outstanding curriculum provides pupils with such a range of exciting things to do that they throw themselves whole-heartedly into their work. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent because the school develops this so sensitively. In lessons and assemblies, teachers consistently challenge pupils to reflect on values and important issues, in ways that they are able to relate to their everyday lives. Pupils contribute extremely well to the life of the community, both within and beyond

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Grade: 2

the school, for example in their involvement in events at the church and in the village. They have exceptionally good collaborative skills, sharing ideas in groups or pairs very effectively. One said, 'Other children help you if there is a problem.' Pupils also show high levels of independence when required. Parents greatly appreciate the strong pastoral aspects of the school's work, one writing, 'The school radiates with warmth and happiness.' Pupils agree, one saying that the school '...makes me feel safe and happy.' The very strong partnership with parents, as well as with other schools and a range of outside agencies, contributes to the excellent care provided. The good teaching is based on consistently good classroom management. A pupil in Year 2 accurately identified that 'Teachers explain everything really well.' Teachers make good use of information and communication technology (ICT) in clarifying their explanations, and pupils

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Grade: 2

are given very good opportunities to use ICT themselves. Lessons are firmly based on practical activities, and pupils are given very good opportunities to discuss their work together. These factors strongly support good achievement in a range of subjects, and pupils' excellent social skills. Teachers make good use of the school's improved assessment systems to match work to pupils' different needs. Pupils are keen to meet the 'challenges' that teachers set for them. Skilled teaching assistants make a strong contribution to pupils' progress, particularly for those pupils who would otherwise struggle with their work, and those who have emotional or social difficulties. Attainment on entry is broadly average. Achievement is consistently good and standards by the end of Year 2 are above average in reading, writing and mathematics. Some variations in results of national assessments from year to year are due to the different abilities of different

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Grade: 2

cohorts. For example, results in 2007 were exceptionally high. The standards of current pupils in Year 2, whilst above average, are not as high this, but their achievement is just as good in the light of their starting points. The overall trend in achievement is upwards. The inspection also revealed examples of good standards in speaking and listening, in science, singing, dance and, particularly, in art. The school has good systems for tracking pupils' progress in English, mathematics and science, and uses this information well to identify if any are not doing as well as they should. Staff then make good use of a range of effective intervention strategies to give these pupils the help they need. This is particularly effective in helping pupils who find literacy and numeracy difficult to 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008 make good progress. Last year, this helped all pupils to reach the expected levels by the end

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Grade: 2

of Year 2. The exciting and wide-ranging curriculum is a major strength of the school. There is a very good range of extra-curricular activities, and visits out and visitors to the school boost both achievement and pupils' enjoyment. Exceptionally good provision for art and design is evident in the huge variety of high quality work on display throughout the school. This is just one example of the strong provision in the arts. Very good provision for personal, social and emotional education is evident in specific lessons but also permeates all work and play in the school. Pupils' devising of class rules mean they are all committed to following them, and do so well. Their good understanding of social and moral issues is further illustrated in their thoughtful list of rules for the animals on Noah's Ark. Excellent provision to help pupils' understand about healthy lifestyles is very effective, so they are knowledgeable about healthy

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Grade: 2

eating, and participate enthusiastically in exercise. Good leadership and management account for the school's many successes. The headteacher's excellent leadership has produced a strong team of staff who are focused resolutely on pupils' achievement and personal development. A key factor is the excellent self-evaluation, which means the school is extremely well placed to improve in the future. The school constantly evaluates what it does and the resultant outcomes for pupils, and is resolute in seeking improvements. Rigorous monitoring of lessons and other elements of provision by senior staff is followed by careful feedback and training, so provision is constantly improving. The setting of very challenging targets, based on the improved assessment systems, has successfully raised achievement, notably in writing, and for boys. Subject leaders work hard to provide useful advice to colleagues. Until recently, most teachers have not had much opportunity to work

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Grade: 2

alongside each other to share their considerable expertise. The school has prioritised this as an area to be developed. Governors have a good understanding of the school because they have well-developed systems in place, and support its work well.

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Grade: 2

Children get a good start to their education in the two Reception classes. Very good relationships with the adults and the careful programme of induction mean that children settle quickly and happily. They make good progress, particularly in their personal, social and emotional development, because of good teaching. A good balance is drawn between sessions directed by the adults and opportunities for children to choose for themselves from an exciting range of practical activities. Good opportunities are provided for developing early writing skills, and children take these up eagerly. Adults are particularly skilled at intervening in children's play, to develop their understanding and challenge them to think and talk about what they are doing. Children show high levels of independence and good relationships with each other. They get on sensibly by themselves, even when all the adults are focussed on helping other groups.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Implement plans for teachers to work alongside each other in the classroom, to share expertise and so improve provision and achievement. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008 .

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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: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008

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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 effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 1 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?

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: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008

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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: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

28 March 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Robert Piggott CofE Infant School,Reading,RG10 8ED Thank you for your extremely friendly welcome when I visited your school. You told me that it is a good school, and I agree. One of the best things about the school is you! Your behaviour is excellent, you get on really well with each other and with the adults, and you work together extremely well. These are some of the other things that impressed me.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress because your teachers are good at helping you to learn.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The standard of your work in reading, writing and mathematics is good.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your artwork is stunning, and I thought your singing and your work in dance were very good, too. ■ The adults keep a careful eye on how you are getting on, and make sure that anyone who needs extra help gets it. They look after you really well. ■ You get lots of exciting and interesting things to do, so you really enjoy learning.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The adults are good at organising the school and are always looking at ways to make it better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I have agreed with Mrs Akers that, to make the school even better in future, the teachers will spend more time visiting each other's classrooms, so they can give each other tips about how to help you learn even more. Thank you again for your help, and I hope that you carry on enjoying school. I am sure you will, especially if you carry on being so sensible, and working so hard to meet the challenges that teachers set for you. Best wishes, Steven Hill Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Robert Piggott CofE Infant School, 18 March 2008

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