Staplecross Methodist Primary School

Staplecross Methodist Primary School Inspection report

p.1

114531 Unique Reference Number East Sussex Local Authority 311636 Inspection number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Terry Elston Reporting inspector

p.1

This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

p.1

Primary Type of school Voluntary controlled School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 63 School The governing body Appropriate authority Stephen Hollamby Chair Liz Avard Headteacher 24 June 2002 Date of previous school inspection Bodiam Road School address Staplecross Robertsbridge TN32 5QD 01580 830256 Telephone number 01580 830256 Fax number

p.1

4-11 Age group 12 December 2007 Inspection date 311636 Inspection number .

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one Additional Inspector. The following issues were investigated: the pupils' achievements; the effectiveness of the school's assessment of their progress; the planning of the curriculum to meet the needs of different groups of pupils; and, how well the school's leadership promotes high standards. Evidence was gathered from a detailed analysis of pupils' work, discussion with pupils, staff and governors and a scrutiny of school documents and parents' questionnaires. 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 its self-evaluation form, were not justified. These have been included where appropriate in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

This is a very small school with a Methodist foundation that admits pupils mostly from the local rural area. Compared with other schools, few pupils are eligible for free school meals. Although there is significant variation from year to year, because of the small numbers, attainment on entry is broadly typical of children nationally. In 2005 to 2006 the school suffered from some extended staff absences.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007

p.3

Grade: 3

The school provides a satisfactory quality of education and parents are unanimous that it cares for their children well. They make comments such as, 'fantastic atmosphere' and 'wonderful family feeling' to show how important this is to their children's well-being. This environment has been successfully created because the staff take good advantage of the small numbers of pupils to support them and make them feel safe. Pupils appreciate this and many echoed the comments of one who remarked, 'It's great here because you know everybody and make really good friends.' Systems for safeguarding children are robust and reviewed regularly. Relationships throughout the school are very good and acts of bullying are rare. In class and around the school, pupils behave impeccably because that is what is expected. They develop their personal skills very well and leave Year 6 as mature youngsters well prepared for the future. They are

p.4

Grade: 3

keen to take on responsibilities and are rightly proud of the way the school council works to improve the school. Pupils are an important part of the local community and take part enthusiastically in events involving the church and residents of the village. They like the individual attention they get in the small teaching groups and value the way their teachers always show patience and help them when they find things difficult. A strength of the school is the excellent way it develops pupils' spirituality by encouraging them to think deeply about issues. Consequently, their stories and poems are rich with real concern for people less fortunate than themselves and pupils have the confidence to express their feelings. The depth of their spirituality was summed up very well before the Christmas lunch when one pupil stood up, thought of just the right words, and said a prayer of thanks before a hushed audience.

p.4

Grade: 3

Standards are broadly average by the end of Year 2 and Year 6 and pupils' achievements and progress through the school are satisfactory. Long term staff absences meant disrupted teaching for some classes in the past, and parents are justified in feeling these had an impact on pupils' progress. Now, with a settled staff and good teaching and learning in the upper Key Stage 2 class, standards are starting to rise again. From the Reception onwards, pupils achieve well in reading because teachers give them a real love of books. However, in writing at Key Stage 1 and mathematics and science at Key Stage 2, not enough of the more able pupils attain the high standards of which they are capable. This is because some teachers do not aim high enough when setting work, and pupils are not always extended to the full. According to the pupils, the best thing about their lessons is the way teachers make learning fun. They particularly like it

p.4

Grade: 3

when teachers use the large interactive whiteboards to illustrate their lessons. Teachers and skilled teaching assistants provide good support for pupils with learning difficulties who make good progress towards their targets. Attendance is good and pupils say how much they enjoy the interesting curriculum provided. They achieve particularly well when subjects such as history, literacy and art and design are linked together, and their work on the victims of the Second World War is stunning. However, the curriculum planning provides too few opportunities for pupils to use information and communication technology (ICT), in subjects such as science, history and geography, and the school misses the chance to capitalise on pupils' enthusiasm for computers. Pupils enjoy the many clubs after school that enhance their skills in music, sport and drama. They develop a good awareness of the need to live healthy lives and the youngest pupils have embraced the

p.4

Grade: 3

fruit and vegetable scheme with gusto. Younger pupils, both in Reception and Key Stage 1, sometimes struggle when asked to work independently of the teacher, mainly because the 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007 planning of the curriculum relies too much on set tasks rather than those that would give pupils more freedom to progress at their own level. The headteacher provides effective leadership and parents speak highly of the impact she has made in a short time, particularly in the school's communication with home. She provides a clear direction by accurate evaluation of the school's strengths and weaknesses gained from detailed tracking of pupils' progress. Consequently, the priorities in the school improvement plan are the right ones to move the school forward. The school recognises that other teachers need to be more involved in leadership and management, particularly in the monitoring of

p.4

Grade: 3

pupils' progress as part of their subject responsibilities and the setting of challenging targets. This is rightly a current priority for improvement. The school takes good account of the concerns of pupils and parents by regular canvassing of their views and swift action to make improvements. This has led to important improvements in the quality of communication with parents and more after school clubs. The governors support the school enthusiastically and have a sound view of its strengths and weaknesses. They have managed the staff absences effectively over recent years and the school has made satisfactory improvement since the last inspection and is soundly placed to improve further.

p.5

Grade: 3

The provision in the Reception classes is satisfactory. By the end of their Reception year, achievements are typical of children of this age, although independent learning is not as well developed as other areas. This is because, whilst curriculum planning is detailed, it lacks sufficient opportunities for children to discover things for themselves. This particularly affects the more able children who could achieve much better if they had the scope to do so. Parents value the way the staff make their children feel welcome and ensure they make a smooth transition to school. The regular assessments provide accurate measures of children's strengths and weaknesses and adults generally use them effectively to plan activities at the right level. Teachers and teaching assistants make sure that children enjoy their work and parents say how much they love coming to school.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure teachers have higher expectations of more able pupils so that they can attain the high standards of which they are capable. ■ Involve subject leaders more in the monitoring of standards and the setting of challenging targets. ■ Provide more opportunities for pupils to use ICT in all subjects. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007 .

p.5

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: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007

p.6

Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.7

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? 3 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 3 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

p.7

Achievement and standards

3 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

p.7

learners?

1 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 1 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

p.7

and interests of learners?

2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.7

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: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007

p.7

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 3 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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

13 December 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Staplecross Methodist Primary School, Robertsbridge, TN32 5QD Thank you for making me so welcome when I came to visit your school. I really enjoyed looking through your work and watching you play so energetically in the playground. Those of you who were kind enough to speak to me told me a lot about your school. It is clear you like being part of a small school and making such good friends. Joining you for the Christmas lunch was a special treat for me. You all behaved brilliantly. Your school is satisfactory, which means it does most things right but could do even better in some areas. What I liked most about your school

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are very friendly and helpful to each other.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You like school, think deeply about important issues, and your behaviour is excellent.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ All staff at your school take good care of you and keep you safe.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make satisfactory progress, and the standard of your work is similar to that of most schools. ■ Teaching is satisfactory and teachers are good at making learning fun for you.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The activities in the curriculum are interesting, especially when subjects are joined together, such as when older pupils did that outstanding project on the Second World War. ■ You know a lot about how to stay safe and live healthy lives.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Those in charge of your school know how to improve things and make sure it runs smoothly.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Make sure that all of you, particularly those who find learning easy, make the best possible progress (and you can help by working as hard as you can). ■ Get teachers in charge of subjects to help other staff more.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Give you more opportunities to use ICT in lessons.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Yours sincerely Terry Elston Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Staplecross Methodist Primary School, 12 December 2007

p.9