Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Inspection report

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113799 Unique Reference Number Dorset Local Authority 311381 Inspection number 15 October 2008 Inspection date Christine Huard Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. The registered childcare, managed by the governing body, was inspected under section 49 of the Childcare Act 2006.

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Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 88 School (total) 10 Government funded early education provision for children aged 3 to the end of the EYFS 0 Childcare provision for children aged 0 to 3 years The governing body Appropriate authority James Oldfield Chair Ian Robinson Headteacher 6 June 2005 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Summer Lane School address Evershot Dorchester DT2 0JP 01935 83287 Telephone number

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4–11 Age group 15 October 2008 Inspection date 311381 Inspection number 01935 83287 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 15 October 2008 Inspection date 311381 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. 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors, who evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: the impact of actions being taken to raise standards in writing the effectiveness of strategies to raise the challenge for more able pupils the impact of the school's endeavours to achieve the UNICEF 'Rights Respecting School' status on the pupils' personal development. Evidence was gathered from an examination of the school's documentation, parents' questionnaires, pupils' work, observations of pupils in classes, around the school and in the playground, as well as interviews with the deputy headteacher and other staff, pupils, governors and parents. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspectors found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation, are not justified. These have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

Children attend the school from the local area and surrounding villages. Many pupils attend from further afield and come to school by bus or taxi each day. The school holds the Activemark and is working towards achieving Healthy School status and the UNICEF 'Rights Respecting School' status. It holds the Basic Skills Mark. Provision for pupils in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is made in the Reception class.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. It fully reflects its Christian ethos and provides a good education for all of its pupils. In the last few years, it has undergone several staffing changes. Although there was a slight fall in standards initially, these have swiftly risen again because of the outstanding leadership and management of the headteacher. He has worked very closely with the deputy headteacher and governors to ensure that any disruption was short lived. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and many echo the sentiments of one who wrote, 'The school has progressed strongly in the last couple of years. There is always a lovely atmosphere in this friendly and caring school.' The pupils thoroughly enjoy coming to school. When asked, they could not think of anything they would like to change. Behaviour is excellent and the playground is a happy and friendly place to be. Pupils speak knowledgeably about the school's efforts to attain 'Rights Respecting

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Grade: 2

School' status. They know what each class charter contains and try very hard to live up to its demands. They have a very mature understanding of their responsibility to the global, as well as local, community. The school council is very active and aware of its role in bringing pupils' views to the notice of the school management as well as organising a range of fund-raising events. They are very aware of contemporary environmental concerns. Their very good numeracy, literacy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills provide an outstanding preparation for their future life. Pupils understand how to stay safe and have an excellent understanding of what leading a healthy lifestyle entails. The 'healthy house' competition, where pupils gain points for the healthy components of their lunch boxes, helps promote healthy eating very successfully. Children in the Reception class (Early Years Foundation Stage) receive a good start to their

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Grade: 2

education. A wide range of learning opportunities is provided both indoors and outside, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of learning. Pupils in Years 1 to 6 continue to make good progress and achieve well. They attain standards that are above the national averages because they are interested and excited by what is taught. Although standards in mathematics, science and reading are well above average, those in writing are not as high, and the school has rightly identified this as being an area of comparative weakness. Although nearly all pupils attain the national average, not enough more able pupils achieve the higher levels. This is partly because these pupils' understanding and use of some of the more complex skills of grammar, punctuation and sentence construction are not totally secure. The school has recently adapted its curriculum in order to provide more relevant and exciting opportunities for writing across a

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Grade: 2

wide range of subjects. For example, a lesson in the lower junior class, with the teacher employing the use of costume and props, motivated and inspired the pupils to create an imaginary situation of their own. However, it is too soon to judge the impact of these strategies on pupils' achievement. Pupils' enjoyment of school is reflected in their good attendance. The eager responses and excitement generated in each classroom show how much pleasure pupils take in their learning. Teachers ensure that pupils know what they are going to learn. They use resources, such as interactive whiteboards, skilfully. Teachers are particularly successful at planning a wide range of tasks in order to meet the needs of all pupils in these mixed age group classes. These are carefully devised to meet the learning needs of all pupils so that all are appropriately challenged or supported. Pupils say that although marking is helpful and gives useful advice as to how

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Grade: 2

they can improve further, teachers use a variety of systems and all mark in different ways. Some 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008 pupils find this confusing and say it would be more helpful to have the same system throughout the school. As one said 'It's a big shock when you suddenly have to learn a completely new system.' Pupils know how well they are doing. Teachers carefully monitor the progress of the pupils in their classes and pupils are involved in setting their own targets. They strive hard to achieve these. Pupils who are especially gifted or talented are identified at an early stage and their progress is regularly reviewed. Care is taken to make certain they are sufficiently challenged, both in and out of the classroom. To this end, they attend activities provided within the school's local group of schools, as well as other settings. They participate in the 'Robotics Challenge'

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Grade: 2

and attend problem-solving days, and the school has introduced a wide range of activities, particularly in mathematics and science. All these have a positive impact on their progress. The school makes good provision for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It ensures they receive good quality support both in the classroom and, where appropriate, in small groups. Pupils are cared for extremely well. Child protection and safeguarding arrangements are strong and secure. Parents, in particular, appreciate the positive impact this attention to pupils' welfare has on their children's learning. 'The children are taught in a compassionate and caring environment which gives them a feeling of security and allows them to "aim high" in their achievement.' The headteacher, staff and governors know how well the school is doing and what needs to be improved. They have set high but realistic targets for the future. Their

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Grade: 2

self-evaluation is accurate, although a little cautious in places, particularly in identifying the quality of care and guidance and pupils' personal development. The successful action taken to reverse the slight decline in standards shows a clear understanding of the school's ability to take decisive and successful action and indicates a good capacity to improve further. As one parent said, 'It's a lovely school with caring staff and a great all round education.'

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Grade: 2

Children enter the Reception class with a wide range of learning experiences, although these are broadly in line with those expected for their age. They make good progress and they join Year 1 having reached above average standards in nearly all the areas of learning. Communication, language and literacy skills are slightly weaker and there is good attention paid to promoting these, with lots of activities to enthuse and motivate all the children, particularly boys. The 'space' topic provides many opportunities for role-play, drama and writing instructions, which all serve to improve children's communication skills. Children learn effectively because a wide range of activities is provided for them across all areas of the curriculum, both indoors and outside. There is a good balance between those activities led by the teacher and those that children choose for themselves. Tasks are carefully matched to children's individual

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Grade: 2

needs and there are plenty of opportunities for them to question and explore on their own. Monitoring of children's progress is good and action is taken to provide additional support where it is needed. The leadership and management of the Foundation Stage are good. The children have happily settled into school because of the good induction process to prepare them for when they join the class. Parents appreciate this and the approachability of staff and their willingness to sort out any day-to-day problems. However, a few parents have found that communication is not always as good as it could be when there are specific issues. The school has taken steps to ensure that parents are informed more promptly on the few occasions when these concerns may arise. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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What the school should do to improve further

■ ■ Ensure that the more able pupils are given additional help to develop the more complex skills of grammar, punctuation and sentence construction to enable a greater proportion to achieve the higher levels in writing. ■ Develop a system of marking pupils' work that is consistent across the school. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 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. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 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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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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EYFS?

2 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 2 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 2 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 2 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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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/or disabilities make progress

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Achievement and standards

1 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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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 The extent to which 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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learners' needs?

How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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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 2 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination eliminated 1 How well does the school contribute to community cohesion? 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

16 October 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Sticklands CE (VA) Primary School, Dorset DT2 0JP Thank you for the very warm welcome you gave us when we visited your school. You all seemed to be very happy and it was good to hear how you really enjoy your work and all the extra activities in which you are involved. We were particularly impressed with your commitment to gaining the 'Rights Respecting School' status. Your school gives you a good education, and works hard to make it even better. These are the things we felt were particularly good:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your behaviour is excellent and you are really keen and enthusiastic about your learning.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are all doing well in your learning, particularly in English, mathematics and science.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You take very seriously the importance of eating healthily and taking physical exercise.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teachers make learning interesting and fun for you, and you all know your targets and what you need to do to improve. ■ You have an interesting and varied curriculum and you all seem to appreciate the excellent variety of extra opportunities that have been provided for you. ■ The teachers and staff take excellent care of you while you are in school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher leads the school really well and all the staff are very keen to make it even better. There are two things that could be even better:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ We think that those of you who do well could be given more help to develop the more complicated skills in punctuation, grammar and sentence construction to improve your writing further. ■ You told us that you would find it more helpful if all teachers were to mark your work in a similar way, so you do not have to learn a new system for each teacher. We agree with you. I am glad you enjoy your school and hope you will continue to work hard to ensure that it stays as successful as it is now. Yours sincerely Mrs Christine Huard Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 15 October 2008

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