Upperby Primary School

Upperby Primary School Inspection report

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112243 Unique Reference Number Cumbria Local Authority 310825 Inspection number 11 °12 December 2007 Inspection dates David Shearsmith 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 Community School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 308 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr William Atkinson Chair Mrs Jane Hodgson Headteacher 1 March 2004 Date of previous school inspection Uldale Road School address Carlisle Cumbria CA2 4JT 01228 607570 Telephone number 01228 607571 Fax number

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3-11 Age group 11 °12 December 2007 Inspection dates 310825 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This primary school is situated in Upperby on the edge of Carlisle with most pupils coming from the local community. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is above average, as is the percentage with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Most pupils are of White British heritage. The school has the Investor in People and Activemark awards.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007

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Grade: 2

One parent captured the essence of what many parents said about this good school when making the comment, ‘We are very happy with our child’s progress and feel that the school is absolutely fantastic in the way they teach and care for the children.’ Parents are rightly pleased with the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the school and with the good progress made by their children. Pupils are well cared for and they are given effective guidance on how to improve their work, particularly in English. Staff quickly identify when a pupil is making slower progress than expected and take appropriate action. From very low starting points the pupils make good progress, although standards are below average by the end of Year 6. The 2007 test results at the end of Year 2 were well below average in reading, writing and mathematics, and this reflected satisfactory progress and achievement for these pupils. However, recent improvements to the teaching and curriculum mean the pupils

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Grade: 2

in Key Stage 1 are now making good progress and their achievement is also good. The results at the end of Year 6 were below average overall, but well below average in mathematics. This represented good achievement in English and science and satisfactory achievement in mathematics because the more able pupils did not do as well as they should. This was due to the lack of challenge in lessons. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make good progress. Pupils’ personal development is good. They are proud of the school and say they feel safe and secure. They know about the importance of sensible eating and regular exercise to keep healthy. Very good relationships with adults mean that pupils are willing to have a go at new things and are not afraid of making mistakes. They love coming to school because, as they say, 'teachers make every day fun’. Pupils are very friendly and sociable. Their behaviour is good and they

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Grade: 2

happily take responsibility. Preparation for the next stage of the pupils’ education is satisfactory. Teaching and learning are good. Relationships among staff and pupils are very good so that pupils listen well and readily join in discussions. Throughout the school, classrooms and shared spaces are enhanced with excellent, informative displays that include pupils' work and information about targets. These encourage all pupils to have high expectations and pride in what they do. Teaching assistants make a significant contribution to all aspects of pupils' learning, especially in teaching extra programmes of work in English and in the support they give in lessons. The curriculum has a very strong emphasis on developing important skills in English and mathematics. Members of the senior management team, such as the English coordinator, use their expertise very well to develop schemes of work individual to the school. Personal, social

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Grade: 2

and health education makes a very good contribution to the pupils' emotional development and understanding of how to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle. In addition, the school has developed a creative curriculum in which topics are explored with a wide range of events, trips and activities. There is an extensive range of clubs and activities after school and a valuable residential trip for pupils. The school takes very good care of all pupils. It has developed effective partnerships with a range of service providers to ensure the care and support provided to vulnerable children and their families is of the highest order. Tracking and target setting are being used well to guide the pupils’ learning in Key Stage 2, but these have yet to become fully established at Key Stage 1. 4 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007 Good leadership is instrumental to the success of the school. The commitment of the headteacher

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Grade: 2

and other adults to ensuring that all pupils fulfil their potential can be seen in all aspects of school life. Governors have a strong role and there is a continued drive to raise standards further. Leaders make good use of test data to check how well pupils are doing and to set challenging but realistic targets. The many developments since the last inspection demonstrate the school's good capacity for improvement. The school provides good value for money.

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Grade: 2

Leadership of the Foundation Stage is good overall. Children in the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception year) achieve well because teaching is good and they are provided with interesting activities. Although the children’s knowledge and skills on entry are very low when compared to those typically seen for children of the same age, they make good progress, especially in personal and social development because of the effectiveness of support. There is a stimulating, purposeful atmosphere in lessons where adults are used well to enrich the children’s learning experiences. Recent improvements to the assessment systems ensure that children are challenged and are able to respond to the high expectations of them. The curriculum includes a good balance between adult directed activities and children choosing their own. This helps children to become more independent. Children are encouraged to work outside and although the

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Grade: 2

outdoor areas are used well by the Nursery, access for other children has not been sufficiently well developed due to issues outside the school’s control. This is being resolved and the school has made appropriate interim provision.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Increase the level of challenge in mathematics’ lessons to ensure the more able pupils make good progress. ■ Secure the effectiveness of the procedures to track the pupils’ progress at Key Stage 1.

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Grade: 2

Overall pupils make good progress and their achievement is good. In the past two years, standards have been well below national average at the end of Year 2, but improved to be below average levels by the end of Year 6. The 2007 test results at the end of Year 2 were well below average in reading, writing and mathematics, and this reflected satisfactory progress and achievement for these pupils given their starting points. As a result of changes to the curriculum and improvements in teaching, current standards are higher and the pupils are achieving well in Key Stage 1. Pupils make good progress at key Stage 2. Their achievement is good in English and science, and satisfactory in mathematics. Although results at the end of Year 6 were below average overall, they were well below average in mathematics. Pupils’ achievement in English reflected the success of a writing project to improve their writing skills in Year 6. This project is now

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Grade: 2

being successfully implemented throughout the school. Results in mathematics were weaker because the more able pupils did not do as well as they should and too few of them reached the higher levels of attainment. This was due to the lack of challenge in lessons. The school is aware of this and is tackling the issue through curriculum improvements. 5 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007 The good progress made by pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is a direct result of the effective support that they are given in lessons from teachers and skilled teaching assistants.

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Grade: 2

Pupils are proud of their school and enjoy coming. They make the most of all that it offers. By Year 6, pupils are confident, articulate and have positive attitudes to learning. Attendance has improved significantly since the last inspection and is now average. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They treat other pupils and adults with respect and consideration. They say there is no bullying and that there is always someone to listen if they have a problem. Spiritual, moral and social development is good. Cultural development is satisfactory as the pupils do not have a secure understanding of the diversity of cultures found in modern Britain. The school is already implementing plans to address this. Pupils have a good understanding of how to live a healthy and safe life. They have lots of opportunities for physical exercise and this has been recognised by the Activemark award. Pupils have many opportunities to take responsibility and they take their duties seriously. The

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Grade: 2

effective school council has helped to make several improvements, for example, in the development of outside spaces. There are much enjoyed links with the local community which help to develop pupils’ social skills and understanding. The pupils’ preparation for their next stage of education is satisfactory. They leave this school with positive attitudes to learning and the majority are developing the skills necessary to become successful future learners.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good and some is outstanding. This is the main reason for pupils’ good progress and effective personal development. Lessons are busy and active; there is a clear sense of purpose and pupils know what is expected of them. Common strengths include careful planning and preparation, lively and clear explanations and effective use of the interactive whiteboards to help understanding. Relationships are good everywhere so pupils work hard for their teachers and want to improve. Pupils appreciate all that adults do for them. As some pupils in Year 6 put it, ‘they care about us, encourage us and boost our confidence’. Teachers are quick to provide new challenges but are patient and encouraging when anyone is struggling. Consequently, pupils of all abilities are achieving well, except for the more able in mathematics due to a lack of challenge in some lessons. The school’s ‘you can do it’ attitude is evident in

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Grade: 2

nearly all lessons, as pupils strive to improve their work. A strength in all classes is the way that teachers encourage pupils to think about their own learning and give detailed advice on how to move on. This has been particularly effective in writing, where standards have improved significantly. The use of specialist teachers in music, information technology and sport is also good and instrumental in raising standards. In Key Stage 1, information about pupils’ progress is in the early stages of development and is just beginning to inform lesson planning. 6 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is carefully planned and meets the needs of different learners well. The school constantly seeks ways to increase pupils’ enjoyment and help them to succeed. As part of this, it has made good use of expertise and skills from many organisations. One of the most successful examples is in writing. Developments have resulted not only in higher standards but also exceptionally positive attitudes, for example, when the end of a lesson was greeted by groans that it had come to an end. The school makes good use of cross curricular links to promote English and is developing effective links in mathematics with science and geography to develop pupils’ understanding. There is a strong programme of personal and social education, underpinned by the school’s ‘you can do it’ philosophy. This is one reason for the pupils’ good self-esteem and good personal development. The curriculum is enriched by a broad range of popular clubs, as well as visits,

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Grade: 2

events, visitors and links with the wider community. There is good provision for learning how to live a safe and healthy life and develop the skills and attitudes needed to play a part in their community. Pupils learn through many links with local organisations and other schools.

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Grade: 2

The school takes very good care of all pupils and meets the current requirements for safeguarding pupils. Its ethos is calm and purposeful which has a very positive effect on pupils’ attitudes, behaviour and self-esteem. The headteacher and the inclusion manager liaise closely with a range of service providers to ensure the care and support provided to vulnerable children and their families is if the highest order. Child protection procedures are well established and understood by all staff who have benefited from training. Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, or those who require help with a particular problem, are well supported by staff and time is made available to meet these needs This, and teachers’ well-informed marking in writing, underpins the school’s extensive knowledge of pupils’ academic attainment as they move through the school. In Year 6, teachers share challenging targets with pupils so that they

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Grade: 2

are clear about what they need to do to move on to the next stage in their learning. In other classes, success criteria are specific enough to give pupils the extra guidance they need to become yet more successful. In Key Stage 1, the tracking of pupils’ progress has not yet had equal impact on raising standards as the information is not always used well enough to secure the good progress.

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Grade: 2

Good leadership is instrumental to the success of the school. The headteacher’s leadership which is characterised by outstanding drive, commitment and enthusiasm have helped the school to maintain a good pace and make improvements on issues from the last inspection. She is well supported and works in close partnership with an excellent deputy and strong leadership team. They have a good understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses because of the well developed systems for evaluating the school’s effectiveness. There is a wealth of assessment information to show pupils' progress from year to year, but this has yet to be applied effectively to support teaching and learning in Key Stage 1. Subject leaders play 7 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007 a valuable part in supporting colleagues, they monitor their areas well and take appropriate actions to bring about improvements. Governors are supportive and are well informed of the

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Grade: 2

school’s priorities. The school provides good value for money and demonstrates a good capacity to improve. 8 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 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. 9 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 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? 2 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 3 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 3 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. 10 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 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 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? 11 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

13 December 2007 Dear Children Inspection of Upperby Primary School, Cumbria, CA2 4JT Thank you for welcoming us to your school and for showing us your work. You were very polite and friendly. We are very pleased that you come to such a good school. Some of the things we found out about your school are:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ you settle quickly in the Nursery and Reception Year and get on well together

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ throughout the school, you behave well and are keen to take responsibility

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ good teaching helps you to learn new things quickly; at the moment, you do well in English, and science ■ adults are kind and caring and they help you understand how to improve your work, particularly in English ■ parents and carers are very pleased that you come to this school

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ your headteacher, teachers and governors lead the school well; they work successfully to make it even better. What we have asked your school to do now:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ make sure that those who can work faster are supported to make quicker progress in mathematics ■ use information on how well you are doing at Key Stage 1 to make sure you continue to make good progress. We thoroughly enjoyed talking to you about your work and watching you learn, and we wish you well for the future. We hope you continue to help your teachers by working hard. Yours sincerely David Shearsmith Lead inspector 12 of 12 Inspection Report: Upperby Primary School, 11 °12 December 2007

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