Marlbrook Primary School

Marlbrook Primary School Inspection report

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116684 Unique Reference Number Herefordshire Local Authority 312366 Inspection number 16 March 2009 Inspection date Mike Capper 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 Community School category 3–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 437 School (total) 0 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 Martin Erwin Chair Tracey Kneale 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 Green Croft School address Redhill Hereford HR2 7NT 01432 266643 Telephone number 01432 272179 Fax number

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3–11 Age group 16 March 2009 Inspection date 312366 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. 2 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two additional inspectors. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues.

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Introduction

■ Progress in developing basic skills across the school, especially in writing.

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Introduction

■ Pupils' enjoyment of school and the way in which pastoral support and curriculum enrichment enhance learning. ■ The impact of leaders at all levels on school improvement.

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Introduction

■ The effectiveness of the school's strategies to improve attendance.

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Introduction

Evidence was gathered from observations of pupils at work and play, discussions with staff, governors and pupils, scrutiny of documentation and an analysis of parents' views. 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, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

Pupils come to this large urban primary school from the surrounding estates. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is well above average. The proportion of pupils identified as having learning difficulties and/or disabilities is also well above average. Most of these pupils have moderate learning difficulties. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in the Nursery and two Reception classes. Extended provision for children from the school is provided through a breakfast club and the 'Marlbrook Kids Club'.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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Grade: 1

Pupils come to this large urban primary school from the surrounding estates. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is well above average. The proportion of pupils identified as having learning difficulties and/or disabilities is also well above average. Most of these pupils have moderate learning difficulties. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in the Nursery and two Reception classes. Extended provision for children from the school is provided through a breakfast club and the 'Marlbrook Kids Club'.

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Grade: 1

'My child's development in every area has been a delight to see.' This comment from a parent is typical of the very positive view that parents have of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children achieve extremely well in both the Nursery and Reception classes because teaching and the quality of care and welfare support are outstanding. Children start school with skills that are much lower than those found typically, especially in language and literacy and social development. They make excellent progress from these very low starting points and standards rise to just below average levels by the start of Year 1. Children do especially well in personal, social and emotional development because of the high expectations of all adults. Adults expect children to do their best at all times and there is a purposeful buzz in lessons as children go happily about their work. Reading skills also improve particularly quickly because all children

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Grade: 1

read individually to an adult each day. There is an excellent curriculum that makes learning exciting and purposeful. Adults make extremely good use of the outdoor areas to support work in all of the areas of learning. Leadership of provision is excellent. Children's progress in the Nursery and Reception classes is carefully checked so that additional support can be given where it is needed. Members of staff work together very closely and continue to strive to improve provision, even though it is already exemplary in the way that it meets children's differing needs. For example, they are planning to develop a 'forest school' so that the use of the outdoor areas can be strengthened even further.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Strengthen the use of writing skills in the different areas of the curriculum so that the gap between standards in reading and writing is reduced. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009 .

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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. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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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? 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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EYFS?

1 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 1 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 1 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 1 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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Achievement and standards

1 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 1 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. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 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 3 The attendance of learners 2 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 1 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 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? 7 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Dear Children Inspection of Marlbrook Primary School, Hereford HR2 7NT Thank you for welcoming us to your school and for showing us your work. You were very polite and friendly and we enjoyed talking to you. We agree with you that your school is excellent, and that staff do a lot to help you. Some of the things we found out about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are supported very well and excellent teaching helps you to learn new things very quickly throughout the school. ■ Younger children get a super start in the Nursery and Reception classes, where you work together well and settle quickly. The outdoor areas are brilliant for letting you try out new things. ■ You really enjoy school because adults make learning exciting by planning many fun activities both in and out of lessons. The bike maintenance class looked very interesting. ■ Nearly all of you behave very well and take responsibility very sensibly. We are very pleased that you take such good care of the school building. ■ The school council does a good job of representing your views.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers and other adults are very kind and caring and they give you high quality support when you are struggling with your work. ■ The school is very well led and managed and all the adults are working very hard to make the school even better. ■ Almost all of your parents and carers are very pleased that you come to this school. What we have asked your school to do now.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Give you more opportunities to practise and improve your writing skills when working in different subjects so that you do as well in writing as you do in reading. We thoroughly enjoyed talking to you about your work and watching you learn. You can help your teachers by continuing always to do your best and we wish you well for the future. Yours faithfully Mr M Capper Lead inspector 8 of 8 Inspection Report: Marlbrook Primary School, 16 March 2009

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