Nateby Primary School

119140 Unique Reference Number Lancashire Local Authority 313196 Inspection number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Brian Dower 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 Community School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 59 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Bob Lewis Chair Mrs Suzanne Chambers Headteacher 1 June 2004 Date of previous school inspection Longmoor Lane School address Garstang Preston Lancashire PR3 0JH 01995 602945 Telephone number 0000 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 14 February 2008 Inspection date 313196 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

This inspection was carried out over one day by an Additional Inspector. He evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following:

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Introduction

■ the school’s assessments and tracking of pupils’ progress

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Introduction

■ the rigour of the school’s self-evaluation processes

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Introduction

Evidence was gathered from: published national assessment data; discussions with pupils, the headteacher, the chair of governors and two of his colleagues; observations of parts of lessons; analysis of school documentation; samples of pupils’ work; and the parental questionnaire returns. Other aspects of the school’s work were not investigated in detail, but the inspection 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 is a small rural school which serves an area of mixed social and economic characteristics. Most pupils are from a White British background and none has English as a second language. Pupils are taught in mixed-age classes. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average but the proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational need is average.

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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: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 2008

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. From broadly average starting points, pupils achieve exceptionally well. The number of pupils assessed or entered for national tests in any one year is very small and therefore it is the pattern of results over time which is a relatively reliable indicator of how well they are doing. Standards are well above average in mathematics and science as was reflected in the 2007 results of national tests. The school exceeded its 2007 performance targets in both of these subjects. Excellent progress was seen in the work pupils are doing now. The test results for English in 2007 were closer to average especially in writing. This is linked to the lower ability of pupils especially in language and communication. Nevertheless, most achieved well and reached the performance targets set for them. Pupils currently in Year 6 write fluently and imaginatively. One example of very high quality poetry is; ‘Summer blasted spring aside.

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Grade: 1

The world could feel its rage.’ The school’s rigorous assessments and tracking show that their rapid progress is leading to very good levels of achievement and much higher standards. This is a significant improvement from the time of the previous inspection when standards in English were below average. This is a school where pupils and parents value the exceptional care and support afforded to every child. As a result their personal development, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, is excellent. Pupils have a good understanding of the diversity of society because of the links with a large and culturally mixed urban school in Accrington. Behaviour is excellent and pupils are keen to learn. They are confident, articulate and self-reliant. They make their views known by talking directly with the headteacher about any concerns or suggestions for improving the school. They have contributed ideas for the design of the grounds

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Grade: 1

so that the younger children are not segregated and all can play together. Pupils feel safe and secure, enjoy their work and talk enthusiastically about the out-of-school activities many of them are involved in. The older pupils take on responsibility by helping the younger children at lunch and break times and all are involved in the local community through fund raising activities. The Macmillan coffee morning, for example, is organised by Year 6 pupils and they do the baking and serve at tables. The school gives a high priority to health and physical activity and has achieved a national Healthy Schools Award and are taking part in a national physical education initiative. As a result, pupils are very aware of how to stay fit and well and eat healthily. They enjoy being energetic and take plenty of exercise. Attendance rates are well above average and pupils are punctual in getting to school and to lessons. The pupils’ high

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Grade: 1

academic standards and their personal qualities equip them extremely well for the next stage of their education. Teaching and learning are excellent. Pupils have the ability to concentrate for extended periods and work independently. Working relationships are very good and pupils know how to collaborate in group activities. They are clear about how well they are doing and what they must do to get better. Very good marking was seen in pupils’ books in terms of its regularity and detailed guidance. Lesson planning and the use of varied learning activities to meet the needs of all pupils are strengths. Teachers have high expectations, tempered with a supportive and encouraging approach. Very good use is made of information and communication technology as a teaching and learning aid, and pupils’ skills in its use are well developed. Pupils benefit from an excellent curriculum which has a very good balance between provision for basic skills

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Grade: 1

and that for increasing their understanding of the wider world. There is effective additional provision to support the less able pupils and booster sessions to challenge the higher attaining 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 2008 boys and girls. Standards are particularly high in English, mathematics and science and in subjects like physical education, French, music and religious education because of specialist teaching and excellent subject leadership. Leadership, management and governance are excellent. Governors are fully involved in the life of the school and know the pupils and their families well. They work closely with a headteacher who is providing strong leadership. She gives clear direction to the school’s work which has led to the high quality of care and well above average standards. Committed teachers, learning assistants and administrative support staff support her well. They work hard to ensure that

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Grade: 1

every pupil has the best possible start to their education. Forward planning is excellent because self-evaluation is rigorous and accurate and built upon wide consultation. Good use is made of challenging performance targets to raise standards and there are excellent partnerships with other schools to secure specialist resources. Child protection procedures are in place, safety audits are conducted on a regular basis and risk assessments are carried out for all activities, particularly for trips away. There have been significant improvements in provision since the previous inspection and the school is excellently placed to improve further.

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Grade: 1

Children’s development when they start in September in the Reception year is typical for that of their age. They then make excellent progress in developing their social and communication skills and by the following summer these are more advanced than typically expected for children entering Year 1. They have learnt to share and play together and are aware of their own needs and those of others. They enjoy talking about their experiences and listening to each other and adults. Such exceptional progress is down to stimulating teaching which encourages children to find out things for themselves and to be adventurous in their play. There have been significant improvements in the quality of the indoor and outdoor learning environment since the previous inspection and there is now a wide range of equipment and materials to enable the children to explore the world around them. The excellent leadership and management of the Reception

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Grade: 1

year ensure that children settle quickly and gain in confidence because they feel safe and secure.

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What the school should do to improve further

There are no major issues additional to those already identified in the current school improvement plan. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 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: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 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 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

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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: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 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: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

16 February 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Nateby Primary School, Lancashire, PR3 0JH Thank you for the warm welcome you gave me when I visited your outstanding school. I enjoyed the day I spent with you and only wish that I had had more time to see all the interesting things you are doing in lessons and in your out-of-school activities. Please thank your parents for the comments they sent me about your school. You are working hard and are keen to learn. As a result, you are making excellent progress and reaching high standards. You are confident young people and have very good basic skills and the personal qualities to make the most of your education and to get a good start in life. The care and guidance you receive are excellent. You spoke warmly about your small school and you particularly like being known as individuals by everyone who works there. This makes you all feel special and a part of a friendly and happy community. It was a pleasure for me to

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

see so many smiling faces. The youngest children get an excellent start in the Reception year and they settle quickly and become confident. The older pupils are mature and have the ability to work independently. They take on many responsibilities and give a lot of help to their teachers and the younger children. Your teachers and the learning assistants work to give you the best possible education. They have plans to improve the quality of provision further and I know that you are looking forward to the opening of your new library. I was especially interested in looking at your writing during my visit and the work was full of imaginative stories and clear and accurate factual accounts. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the poetry you are writing. It is some of the best I have ever read. I know that you will continue to work hard and strive for even higher standards in your work. I send you my best wishes for the future.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Yours sincerely Brian Dower Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Nateby Primary School, 14 February 2008

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