Hazel Wood Infant School

Hazel Wood Infant School Inspection report

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116243 Unique Reference Number Hampshire Local Authority 312229 Inspection number 15 °16 October 2007 Inspection dates Graham Stephens 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 Community School category 4 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 233 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs J Hodgson Chair Miss S Peters Headteacher 23 June 2003 Date of previous school inspection Hazel Farm Road School address Totton Southampton SO40 8WU 0238 066 6767 Telephone number 0238 086 0199 Fax number

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4-7 Age group 15 °16 October 2007 Inspection dates 312229 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

The school is larger than many infant schools. It is oversubscribed. Pupils come from a variety of backgrounds about half of which are advantaged and a similar proportion come from homes in the immediate area. Very few pupils are from minority ethnic groups. Two are at an early stage of learning English. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is average. The school has received national awards including Investors in People, Basic Skills and Healthy Schools Award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007

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Grade: 2

Hazel Wood Infant School is a good school. The vast majority of parents are supportive. 'This is a very caring school. There is a strong academic focus but the staff make learning fun,' said one parent. The headteacher and senior leaders form a dedicated team that accurately assess the needs of the school and establish very clear priorities to effect improvement. They have identified the need to raise standards in writing further and are striving to implement strategies that will help them achieve this goal. They have established excellent systems of care, guidance and support and these encourage pupils to work hard, cooperate well and rise to the challenges presented to them. From broadly average starting points, pupils achieve well and gain above average standards by the end of Year 2. Adults are good role models. They know the pupils' strengths and weaknesses well and plan together effectively to meet their learning needs. As a result, all pupils, including those with

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Grade: 2

learning difficulties and the very few from minority ethnic groups or with English as an additional language, achieve well. In some lessons, a few pupils receive insufficient attention from the teacher after they have started their work. This hampers progress for a few when they are not sure what to do. Teaching assistants play a very active part in planning and reviewing progress especially for those pupils requiring additional support. Recent changes of staff have been managed well and the impact on progress has been minimal. The school presents a calm and welcoming ethos where work is valued and displayed to good effect and where pupils feel secure and enjoy learning. Pupils' personal development and well-being is outstanding. They speak confidently and know how to improve their work. 'I have to use whizzy words to improve my writing,' said one pupil. Behaviour is excellent, with effective systems in place to support pupils with either behavioural or emotional difficulties. The broad

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Grade: 2

and interesting curriculum engages pupils well and clubs are well attended. Pupils talk and live a healthy lifestyle. The extensive grounds, large playgrounds and the wide range of equipment available at break and lunchtimes encourages activity ensuring plenty of physical exercise and opportunities to cooperate and play together. Under the good leadership of the headteacher, supported very well by her leadership and management teams and outstanding governing body, the school has a good capacity to improve further.

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Grade: 2

Provision in the Foundation Stage is good. Children's progress is closely monitored and identified needs, especially those relating to writing and calculation, are well met by teachers and teaching assistants. The large outdoor space is organised, well resourced and used effectively. Activities encourage independent thinking and decision-making as well as encouraging cooperation with others. Consequently, children are developing very positive attitudes to learning. Induction procedures are good and children quickly settle. Behaviour is outstanding. A curriculum, based securely on the six required areas of learning together with good teaching ensures that most children achieve the required standard before they enter Year 1 and several exceed it. Leadership and management are good. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve writing skills for all pupils by giving them more opportunities to write at length in subjects across the curriculum. ■ Consistently give pupils sufficient support during the course of lessons to ensure that they all know what to do, remain on task and are encouraged to work independently.

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Grade: 2

Achievement is good and standards are above average. The majority of pupils achieve well in relation to their broadly average starting points. For the past two years, test results indicate that by the end of Year 2 standards are above average in reading and mathematics and average in writing. Standards in writing have remained satisfactory because of the need to improve monitoring systems and target help where needed. The school has also identified the need to give pupils more opportunities to write in subjects across the curriculum. Pupils' progress is now tracked very well and the school recognises that standards in writing need to improve. Challenging targets are set and revised in the light of progress made. Pupils with learning difficulties make good progress because their needs are quickly identified and good support is given. Gifted and talented pupils are being further challenged in an attempt to increase the

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Grade: 2

number of pupils attaining at the higher levels. The very few pupils learning English as an additional language achieve at a similar rate to their peers.

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Grade: 1

Personal development and well-being are outstanding. The teaching of core values and basic skills underpins all aspects of school life and prepares pupils very well for life in the wider community. Opportunities for role-play, where pupils are encouraged to co-operate and play well together, are valued. 'I like the role-play areas because they have exciting things to do,' said one pupil. Behaviour is outstanding and pupils feel secure knowing that 'teachers will sort things out if there's a problem.' Pupils' enjoyment is reflected in their enthusiasm and in their above average attendance. Pupils respond very well to the outstanding provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils learn about and to respect different beliefs and traditions. They collaborate very well and know what makes a good citizen. Adults listen very carefully and value not only what pupils say but also the work that they do. Pupils support and

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Grade: 1

care for each other well and are sensitive to peoples' needs in the wider community. They willingly accept the many responsibilities offered. They speak confidently about what constitutes a healthy life-style.

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Grade: 2

Teaching and learning are good. Behaviour is managed well and children learn in harmonious environments. Pupils are keen to learn because teachers provide them with interesting activities supported by stimulating resources. Adults question pupils well to deepen their understanding and to challenge them to think and make decisions. Most lessons move along at a brisk pace because teachers plan for pupils to be actively involved in their learning in both whole class 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007 and group work. Teachers and teaching assistants plan and work effectively together to ensure that pupils with learning difficulties achieve well. In most classes, teachers regularly check on pupils' progress so that they can deal with any misconceptions immediately but this is not consistent throughout the school. On some occasions, too little time is spent at the end of a

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Grade: 2

lesson checking on pupils' progress and in giving them opportunities to evaluate how well they have done.

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Grade: 2

The curriculum is good. It is broad and interesting and links subjects well so that it is meaningful, enjoyable and motivating for pupils. Adjustments ensure that pupils with learning difficulties are included and achieve well. The school has successfully encouraged pupils to develop their thinking skills. It realises that more opportunities to write for a purpose in a broader range of subjects should be provided to raise standards in writing further. A new way of teaching phonics has recently been introduced but it is too soon to judge its impact on progress. The mathematics curriculum is being developed to provide more opportunities for problem solving. Personal, social and health education is good and consequently pupils develop into well-rounded individuals. A well-planned programme of visits and visitors make a valuable contribution to pupils' learning. A rich curriculum ensures that pupils have good opportunities to learn about

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Grade: 2

other people's religions, cultures and countries.

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Grade: 1

Care, guidance and support are outstanding. Pupils' welfare is a top priority throughout the school. Safeguarding and risk assessment procedures are very robust. Very good links with specialist agencies ensure very good support for vulnerable pupils. Effective intervention groups provide very good support for pupils who need extra help. The work of the emotional literacy support assistant is having a very positive impact on pupils who need help managing their feelings and behaviour. Attendance is above average as a result of vigorous monitoring. Pupils value the way that teachers mark their work and take notice of the helpful comments made. Target setting and opportunities for pupils to make decisions about how well they are learning are well established. As a result, clear learning targets are set in English and mathematics and pupils talk confidently about what they need to do in order to improve. Pupils in most classes

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Grade: 1

are becoming independent learners, successfully making judgements about their own progress.

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Grade: 2

Leadership and management are good. The headteacher has a clear vision and continually encourages all staff to review their practice in her drive to raise standards still further. The recently constituted senior leadership team has made a good start in establishing a clear overview of the school and in ensuring that it continues to provide good value for money. Clearly stated objectives in the well-structured school development plan guide the larger management team. It meets regularly and has established good systems to monitor and review progress made. It has identified the need to raise standards in writing as a priority. The governing body is outstanding in its determination to support the school in its pursuit to drive up standards. It 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007 is very well led and has a clear understanding of how to hold the school to account. Governors

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Grade: 2

are very frequent visitors to the school and are very supportive of all that it does. The school's self-evaluation is an accurate appraisal of the schools' strengths and weaknesses. This and the way issues were successfully tackled from the last inspection indicate that the school has a good capacity to improve further. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 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. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 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? 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 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

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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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

2 November 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Hazel Wood Infant School,Southampton,SO40 8WU I would like to thank you for being so polite, friendly and helpful when inspectors came to visit your school. We enjoyed meeting you, looking at your work and hearing about all the interesting and exciting things that you do. We think you go to a good school and this is why.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers plan really exciting and challenging things for you to do.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You care about each other and help each other when you can.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You play very well together and your behaviour is very good.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ All the adults work very hard to make sure you are well looked after.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher and all the other people who help run your school are doing a good job.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Every school, even yours, has something that could be better. We have asked your headteacher, staff and governors to make sure you have plenty of opportunities to write about the things you see, do and imagine. We have also asked your teachers to make sure that you all know exactly what work you have to do from the beginning of the lesson to the very end. Remember if you are not sure, you can always ask. With very best wishes for your future success Graham Stephens(Lead inspector) 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Hazel Wood Infant School, 15 °16 October 2007

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