Frogmore Infant School

Frogmore Infant School Inspection report

p.1

115981 Unique Reference Number Hampshire Local Authority 312131 Inspection number 10 July 2008 Inspection date Paul Armitage Reporting inspector

p.1

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

p.1

Infant Type of school Community School category 4 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 172 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Sam New Chair Mrs Jill King Headteacher 28 June 2004 Date of previous school inspection Green Lane School address Frogmore Camberley GU17 0NY 01252 872601 Telephone number 01252 878996 Fax number

p.1

4-7 Age group 10 July 2008 Inspection date 312131 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 an Additional Inspector. The inspection focused on the following areas currently of significance to the school:

p.3

Introduction

■ the quality of pupils' personal development

p.3

Introduction

■ the quality of leadership and management.

p.3

Introduction

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 the self-evaluation, were unjustified. These have been included in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

Frogmore Infant School has 172 pupils. Relatively few families apply for free school meals and the percentage of pupils whose first language is not English is well below average. The percentage of pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities is similar to that found nationally. These pupils have mainly specific and moderate learning difficulties and one pupil has a Statement of Educational Need.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

p.3

Grade: 1

Frogmore Infant School is outstanding. This is a view which is also shared by pupils, parents and the wider community in which the school plays a significant role. The response of one parent when told there was an inspection is typical of many others - 'My child has attended Frogmore Infant School for three years and I still find it hard to believe what a fantastic school it is. The level of teaching, the opportunities, the staff and the head are outstanding. I feel that all the children who attend are very lucky.' The inspector endorses this view. The school offers high quality teaching and learning, exceptional care, a rich curriculum and high quality management based on rigorous, honest, self-evaluation. Academic standards are well above average and pupils make excellent progress. Children enter school with standards expected for their age but by the time they leave, they are achieving far better than this. A good example of their achievement is the quality of their writing - lively,

p.4

Grade: 1

interesting, with a good use of vocabulary, meaningful and well structured. Another example is dance where children show very good, creative responses, compose their own dance and talk about aspects of form and flow. Children with learning difficulties and disabilities do well because of teaching that is highly responsive to their needs - for example, a group of pupils receive extra support in reading to improve their confidence and fluidity. In recognition of the high quality provision that has resulted in high standards and achievement, the school has won numerous awards including the Arts Mark Gold, the Basic Skills Award and, in Reception, the Trail Blazers Award. Pupils' personal development is outstanding. The high quality of their spiritual development is well illustrated by Year 1's sensitive response to the sculptures of Andy Goldsworthy resulting in their own impressive pieces of art. Likewise, their response in drawings to the pond life they

p.4

Grade: 1

saw on a visit to a local common. Moral and social development are strong, illustrated by the way Year 2 pupils worked collaboratively during World Water week to explore the issues surrounding water supply to African villages. This example also reflects the high quality of pupils' cultural development. So too does the excellent response of Reception pupils to their six week programme of African drumming and the whole school's response to the opportunities offered in music, art, dance and drama during the annual arts week. Central to the school's success is a combination of high quality teaching, pupils' excellent response and a curriculum which covers topics which are interesting, ever- changing, and above all, relevant to children's needs. The teaching is of high quality because teachers are confident, know well the abilities of their pupils, use assessment information wisely to help tune what they teach and, quite simply, make learning fun. As a result, pupils are keen to study and

p.4

Grade: 1

respond with enthusiasm. Because of this their behaviour is excellent and unauthorised absence is well below average. Pupils are good at asking questions and finding answers. They do a lot for themselves both in school and at home but the school is right to want to develop this independence even further - the children certainly have the capacity to do this. Children are well supported. Academically, they know how well they are doing and together with teachers, negotiate realistic but challenging targets which teachers help them achieve. There are many other examples of help. A good example of this is the excellent support given to children with emotional difficulties. Other examples include the additional help given to pupils with weaknesses in literacy and the Transition Project with the junior school which supports pupils moving from Key Stage 1 to 2. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

p.4

Grade: 1

Children have an excellent understanding of being safe and healthy. For example, during the inspection, Year 2 children prepared an assembly on healthy eating. In physical education, children talk readily about the importance of exercise and its effects on their bodies. At lunchtime, the school has organised a 'Huff and Puff' activity which pupils really enjoy. The quality of leadership and management is outstanding. Each one of the governors plays a major role in the strategic management of the school. They are initiators of policies and practice that is likely to improve pupils' education. For example, they have established the 'Creativity Working Party' aimed at improving their own and teachers' understanding of how children think and how they can be encouraged to think creatively. They are also effective evaluators with a firm understanding of how well the school is doing. The headteacher is pivotal to the success of the school. She knows her school well, sets clear

p.5

Grade: 1

expectations, provides challenge and new ideas, and is successful in encouraging staff to work with her. She is also skilful at encouraging them to take initiatives, making clear how much she values them. She is not complacent. Despite the school's considerable academic success, she is still searching for ways to improve further. She has rightly identified that middle ability children could do better still and this is now part of the school's development plan. She is well supported by an able leadership team and by efficient administrative, catering and maintenance staff. Together, governors and staff have created an ethos of care, sensitivity and fun linked to strong academic performance and pupils' personal development.

p.5

Grade: 1

Children at Frogmore get a really good start to their education. They make outstanding progress so that by the end of Reception, almost all far exceed the goals expected of them. There are numerous examples. For instance, progress is very strong in speaking and listening which is the pupils' weakest area when they first come to school. Other areas where progress is particularly strong are reading, writing and emotional development, the latter resulting in pupils' growing self-confidence and understanding of others. Pupils' knowledge and understanding of the world develops very well because pupils are always being encouraged to ask questions, find answers and talk about them. This illustrates the careful balance between activities led by adults and those initiated by children. There is close cooperation between staff so that expectations as well as children's needs are fully understood. There is regular assessment

p.5

Grade: 1

of pupils' progress which then influences what is taught next. There is excellent cooperation between Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 staff ensuring that transition is comfortable for children and seamless in terms of their continuing academic and personal progress.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve children's enquiry skills so that they take even more responsibility for their own learning. ■ Further raise the standards of middle ability pupils in mathematics and reading. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008 .

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: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

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? 1 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

p.7

Achievement and standards

1 How well do learners achieve? 1 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 1 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

p.7

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

p.7

and interests of learners?

1 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: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

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 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: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

18 July 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Frogmore Infant School,Camberley,GU17 0NY As you know, I recently spent a day with you in your school. I talked to many of you and visited your classes. I also spoke with your teachers and met the headteacher and the chair of governors. Your school is outstanding! I was very impressed with everything I saw and everyone I met. You work hard, you have lots of fun and you like coming to school. Your teachers also work hard. They are keen that you do well and they have lots of good ideas to make lessons interesting. Your headteacher knows everyone and leads your school very well. Your governors as well as office staff, caterers and maintenance staff all make sure that your school runs smoothly. This all adds up to a very successful school and you can be really proud of it. The standards you achieve are high and you make excellent progress. You are very well prepared for your next

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

school. I particularly liked the way in which you take initiatives, asking questions and finding out the answers. You also speak very well - for instance, I remember the pupils who showed me their presentation about healthy eating. Your headteacher knows that you do well but she still thinks some of you could:

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ do even better in English and mathematics

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ take even more responsibility for your own learning.

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I think she is right - you are very capable and you will manage to do this. Well done and thank you for making my visit such an enjoyable one. My very best wishes for your futures. Yours sincerely Paul Armitage Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Frogmore Infant School, 10 July 2008

p.9