Upham Church of England Aided Primary School

Upham Church of England Aided Primary School Inspection report

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116372 Unique Reference Number Hampshire Local Authority 312280 Inspection number 26 March 2008 Inspection date Sean O'Toole 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 Voluntary aided School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 98 School The governing body Appropriate authority Ms Gwyn Halsall-Little Chair Mrs Pam Threlfall Headteacher 6 May 2003 Date of previous school inspection Upham Street School address Upham Southampton SO32 1JD 01489 860355 Telephone number 01489 860776 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 26 March 2008 Inspection date 312280 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 an Additional Inspector. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated how well boys and girls of different abilities and backgrounds make progress. The inspector focused on how well pupils develop personal and independent learning skills. He also checked on how effectively leaders and governors keep a check on, and help to improve, the school's provision, especially teaching. Evidence was gathered from the analysis of the school's performance, scrutiny of pupils' work, observation of lessons, parents' questionnaires, and discussions with the headteacher, governors, parents and pupils. 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, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

This smaller than average school admits pupils from a wide area. Most have White British heritage. Two speak Polish as their first language. A small percentage have specific learning needs related to communication, behaviour or physical difficulties.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 2008

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Grade: 1

'The combination of excellent teaching, the breadth of the curriculum and extra curricular activities promotes confidence in the children. This in turn helps them to become rounded, happy and caring of each other,' wrote one delighted parent, summing up the views of many. This highly successful school seeks to provide the best for each child both academically and socially. As a result, pupils attain high standards and achieve outstandingly so that they are thoroughly prepared for the next stage of their education. The teachers have detailed knowledge of each pupil and, through robust assessment, keep track of their progress. They use this information to pinpoint the next steps in learning. They set challenging tasks that are pitched at the right level for the different ages and abilities in the classes. Outstanding relationships and a climate of encouragement promote pupils' learning. Adults value the pupils' opinions and respond to their suggestions. The pupils say they are happy and

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Grade: 1

feel secure. They are proud of their contribution to making the school a friendly place and say that rough play and unkindness are rare. They clearly like their teachers and are keen to please them. They work hard, maintain high levels of concentration and take pride and pleasure in their own and others' success. As one girl explained, 'We like everyone and want them to do well'. These positive personal qualities are also evident in the pupils' exemplary behaviour. Pupils have an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles and how to keep themselves safe. They are keen to learn new skills and respond excitedly to the excellent opportunities to be creative and to develop good physical skills. They have contributed much to the school's Gold Artsmark, Activemark and Healthy Schools Award. They relish opportunities to take the lead in fund-raising for the school and charities. The school's success is built around teamwork and a shared commitment to meeting the needs

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Grade: 1

of all. The headteacher is challenging and supportive, and gets the best from her staff so that teaching is of a consistently high quality. The school's family atmosphere, much prized by parents, also means that no child is overlooked. There is extra support for those with communication, behaviour or physical difficulties that enables these pupils to achieve good success. Pupils say how much they like and respect their teachers so that they can go to them for help. The headteacher and governors work very well together and, through rigorous analysis of test results and regular monitoring, make sure that improvement is always on the agenda. Their excellent capacity to improve is exemplified by the consistently high standards and the improvements in writing this year. Leaders recognise the need to strengthen the provision for information and communication technology (ICT) so that pupils improve their skills in using

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Grade: 1

computers, particularly for research. Governors are supportive and skilled in reviewing the school's work. They hold the headteacher to account and are involved much in developing and monitoring the school's initiatives. The vast majority of parents feel that staff are approachable. Although a few parents would like more regular consultations, the inspector found that staff are good at listening to their views and make very good use of outside agencies to support pupils. The school provides a rich variety of opportunities to enhance and enrich the pupils' learning. Parents and their children spoke highly of the extra curricular activities and the older pupils were almost ecstatic when describing the recent residential visit. Pupils also say that learning is fun. They enjoy the ways that teachers make lessons interesting by combining the use of basic skills with challenging topic work. Activities, which include sport, creative arts and games, are well attended and valued by the

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Grade: 1

pupils. Many learn instruments and practise hard to improve. Pupils say they enjoy homework. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 2008 Parents commented that the school's guidance on homework helps them to support heir children in getting the most from it. Teachers give well-focused advice through accurate and helpful marking. They are up to date in their knowledge of safeguarding children and make every effort to ensure that each child feels safe and secure. It is clear that every child in this school matters. As one parent wrote, 'There is such a strong sense of respect between children and staff. The children are all happy and well behaved and enjoy their school and the learning within it'.

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Grade: 1

Children make a successful start in the Foundation Stage and, by the time they leave the Reception class, most are working at levels that are in advance of those expected for their age. Many parents commented on how quickly their children settled to school life and one wrote, 'The Reception year is a particular strength providing a very positive, thoughtful experience for each child'. This success helps children to develop strong social skills and consequently they work and play happily together. The children are very successful in reading and writing and respond enthusiastically when learning new sounds and letters. The adults provide just the right balance between directing the children and giving them opportunities to make their own choices. This results in some high quality collaborative work such as designing and then making an aeroplane from boxes, almost unaided by the teacher. Staff conscientiously record the key

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Grade: 1

points in each child's development and keep parents well informed of their child's progress. They also make very good use of the information to plan the next steps in learning.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Extend opportunities for pupils to use computers to support their learning especially for research. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 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. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 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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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

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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

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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 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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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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 2008

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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 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: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

02 April 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Upham Church of England Aided Primary School,Southampton,SO32 1JD Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I really enjoyed my day with you. Special thanks to the school council for giving up your lunchtime to talk to me. I was very pleased to hear how much you enjoy school. Your school is a great place to learn and there are lots of excellent things about it.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You work hard and are very successful at learning new things.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ I noticed how polite and well mannered you are and how you are keen to help everyone.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are good at sharing ideas and helping each other to learn.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ I enjoyed listening to you play musical instruments and was pleased to hear that you practise a lot. ■ Your teachers plan interesting lessons and try to make sure that everyone gets the help they need to learn. ■ Your mums and dads provide lots of extra funds to help the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are very good at reading, writing and mathematics.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Even in an outstanding school there are things to do and I have asked the staff to find ways to help you to get even better at using computers. Several of you told me that you would like more opportunities to use information and communication technology. I hope that you continue to enjoy school and hope that you all stay as happy as you are now. Sean O'Toole Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Upham Church of England Aided Primary School, 26 March 2008

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