Swingate Primary School

Swingate Infant and Nursery School Inspection report

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118509 Unique Reference Number Medway Local Authority 312969 Inspection number 27 March 2008 Inspection date Derek Watts 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 3 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 240 School The governing body Appropriate authority David Clay Chair Ann Bracknell Headteacher 13 January 2003 Date of previous school inspection Sultan Road School address Lordswood Chatham ME5 8TJ 01634 863778 Telephone number 01634 670991 Fax number

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3-7 Age group 27 March 2008 Inspection date 312969 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 the following aspects: the performance of the more able and the development of pupils' writing skills. Evidence was gathered from lesson observations and a scrutiny of pupils' work and school documentation. Parents' questionnaires and discussions with pupils, governors and staff also contributed to the judgements. 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, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

Swingate Infant and Nursery is a larger than average school of its type. Most pupils are from a White British background. Very few pupils speak English as an additional language and none of these is at an early stage of learning English. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is above average. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is also above average. Children start school either in the Nursery or in the Reception class.

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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: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 March 2008

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Grade: 1

Swingate Infant and Nursery is an outstanding school. Pupils make exceptionally good progress from their starting points because of high quality teaching and a stimulating curriculum. By the end of Year 2, standards are above average. Excellent care, guidance and support lead to outstanding personal development and well-being for all pupils. Outstanding leadership and management are the key to the school's success. An experienced and skilled headteacher provides excellent leadership. She is very well supported by the deputy headteacher and senior staff. Other leaders and a dedicated team of staff share her high expectations and drive to raise standards. The leadership of assessment, English, mathematics, special educational needs and the Foundation Stage is all highly effective. Governors have a very good understanding of the school. This enables them to provide constructive challenge as well as support. A few governors are new and are receiving good training and support for

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Grade: 1

their role. Parents are very pleased with both the care and education provided for their children. Typical comments from the parents' questionnaire were: 'This school has by far exceeded expectations', 'I have always been very impressed with staff and facilities', 'Extremely pleased with Swingate, it is run professionally and teachers are very approachable and friendly' and 'Teachers and assistants are excellent'. The school has established positive partnership with parents through effective communication. It has taken a range of effective measures such as curriculum workshops to support parents. However, the school is not complacent and recognises the need to initiate more events to help parents to support their children through family learning. Teachers have established high expectations of behaviour and learning and pupils respond exceptionally well to these. The purpose of the lessons is always clear so pupils know what they

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Grade: 1

are expected to learn. Teachers' instructions, demonstrations and explanations promote learning extremely well. The enthusiasm of the teachers and their strong subject knowledge inspire and motivate the pupils. Questioning is used skilfully to challenge the pupils' thinking and check their understanding. Assessment information is used effectively to match activities to pupils' abilities and needs. As a result, pupils are challenged well; their interest is maintained and they make outstanding gains in their learning. Teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to learning, particularly for those who need extra support with speech, language or their social skills. Visiting specialist teachers of drama, music and health further enhance the school's high quality teaching. Pupils make outstanding progress from their below average starting points. Standards have improved over the past three years from average to consistently above average levels. Standards

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Grade: 1

are above average in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2. Improvements to assessment and teaching have contributed to this success. As well as effectively supporting the pupils who need help, the school has focused on the needs and provision of the more able. As a result, an above average proportion of pupils attain the higher levels in reading and mathematics. Highly effective strategies for the teaching of reading and a wide selection of exciting books promote a love of reading and outstanding achievement. In mathematics, high quality teaching and an emphasis on problem solving contribute to the outstanding progress. Extra tasks challenge and extend the more able. While writing standards are above average, the proportion of pupils who attain the higher Level 3 is not as high as those in reading and 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 March 2008 mathematics. The school has recognised that there is scope to further increase extended writing

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Grade: 1

opportunities so that even more pupils attain the higher levels. The curriculum contributes exceptionally well to pupils' academic and personal development. Very good emphasis is given to the development of basic skills in language, literacy and numeracy. Art and design, design and technology, music and drama are also strong areas of the curriculum and add to pupils' enjoyment and interests. Good links between subjects add relevance to learning. For example, pupils in Year 2 apply their literacy and independent study skills in producing science projects about healthy bodies. Pupils use charcoal, pastels and watercolours to produce high quality still life pictures of fruits. A very good range of clubs, visits and visitors enriches pupils' learning. Healthy lifestyles and personal safety are promoted extremely well across the curriculum. Pastoral care is excellent and there are extremely good procedures to ensure that pupils are

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Grade: 1

protected, safe and secure at school. Systems to assess and track pupils' attainment and progress are highly effective. Pupils have specific individual learning targets in reading, writing and mathematics so they know what to do to improve. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pupils are enthusiastic learners who thoroughly enjoy school. They are courteous, friendly and considerate of others. Attendance has steadily improved during the past three years because of the action taken by the school. Attendance is above average. Outstanding relationships, high expectations by staff and the very positive school atmosphere give rise to exemplary behaviour. A range of outside agencies supports pupils and their families very well. Pupils adopt healthy lifestyles and show an excellent understanding of the importance of healthy eating and exercising regularly. Pupils make good contributions to the local and

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Grade: 1

wider community. The choir gave an impressive performance at the Medway Music Festival. Funds are raised for local and national charities. Pupils are extremely well prepared for their future. They have very well developed literacy and numeracy skills. In addition to these, they possess outstanding personal and social skills. The school's performance is systematically reviewed and the findings are used very well to bring about necessary improvements. Significant improvements to attendance, assessment, teaching and to standards demonstrate an outstanding capacity to improve.

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Grade: 1

Children enter the Nursery and Reception with knowledge and skills below those expected for their age. A significant number of children have low language skills and some have considerable emotional difficulties. Children settle quickly into routines and enjoy their learning because of effective induction procedures. High quality teaching, exceptional care and an exciting range of activities enable all children to make exceptional progress in all areas of learning. Teachers and assistants provide an effective blend of adult-led tasks and opportunities for children to explore, be creative and work independently. The most recent assessments show that standards in Reception are in line with those expected, except in some elements of communication, language and literacy and emotional development.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Increase the range of extended writing opportunities so that even more pupils attain the higher levels in writing. ■ Implement initiatives which help families to support their children's learning. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 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: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 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? 2 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 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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 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: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

28 March 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Swingate Infant and Nursery School, Chatham, ME5 8TJ Thank you so much for welcoming me into your school and showing me your work. I enjoyed my visit and I would like to tell you some of the things I found out about your school. You can be very proud of attending Swingate Infant and Nursery school because it is an outstanding school. These are strengths of the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Children in Nursery and Reception get off to an exceptional start.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You all thoroughly enjoy school and your attendance is good.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school is a very caring, friendly and pleasant place to be.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You behave extremely well in lessons and around the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teaching is outstanding, which is why you are learning exceptionally well.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You reach above average standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ An exciting range of learning activities are provided for you, including clubs, visitors and visits. ■ Your work in art and design, drama and music is of a high quality.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You show an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles and keeping safe.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school is extremely well led by your headteacher and she receives very good support from other senior staff. ■ Staff take excellent care of you and give you outstanding support.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your parents give the school good support and are very pleased with the care and education provided. There are two areas that the school could work on to make it even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ A few of you could reach even higher standards in writing and the school can help you to do this by giving you more opportunities for extended writing. ■ The school should extend the work it is doing to help parents and families to support your learning. I wish you all the very best for the future and keep up the very good work. With kind regards Derek Watts Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Swingate Infant and Nursery School, 27 March 2008

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