Feniscowles Primary School

Feniscowles Primary School Inspection report

p.1

119163 Unique Reference Number Blackburn with Darwen Local Authority 313204 Inspection number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Kathleen McArthur Reporting inspector

p.1

This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

p.1

Primary Type of school Community School category 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 403 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Andrew Shaw Chair Miss Elizabeth Hargreaves Headteacher 1 July 2005 Date of previous school inspection Livesey Branch Road School address Feniscowles Blackburn Lancashire BB2 5EG 01254 201054 Telephone number 01254 200293 Fax number

p.1

4-11 Age group 18 March 2008 Inspection date 313204 Inspection number .

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one Additional Inspector. The Inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: the school’s actions to raise standards in writing, how well pupils are challenged and how pupils are involved in the assessment of their learning. Evidence was gathered from the school’s self-evaluation, national published assessment data, lesson observations and pupils’ books. Discussions were held with staff, pupils and governors, and parents’ questionnaires were scrutinised. 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, given in its self-evaluation, were not justified. These have been included where appropriate in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

This larger than average school is situated on the outskirts of Blackburn in an area of relatively favourable social and economic circumstances. Nearly half of the pupils travel to the school from outside the immediate vicinity including less affluent areas, resulting in a broad social mix. Most pupils are of White British heritage and a very small minority speak English as an additional language. The proportions of pupils entitled to a free school meal and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are lower than average. The two school buildings are separated by a busy main road. The school holds the Activemark Award.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 9 Inspection Report: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008

p.3

Grade: 2

Feniscowles Primary is a good school with outstanding features. Inspection findings confirm the school’s accurate self-evaluation. Dedicated leadership by the headteacher, fully supported by the skilled deputy, staff and governors has created a strong, effective team and successfully implemented the school motto, ‘TEAM; together everyone achieves more’. The school’s good reputation attracts pupils from a wide area. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive. Good partnerships exist between home and school and there is a flourishing Parent Teacher Association. Many parents commented that their children were very happy and praised the headteacher and staff for always being helpful, approachable and willing to listen. There has been good improvement overall since the previous inspection. Problem solving skills in mathematics have improved and provision for and the use of information communications technology (ICT) has been enhanced. Rigorous actions to raise standards in writing are making

p.4

Grade: 2

an impact in Key Stage 1, but progress is slower in Key Stage 2. Achievement is good. Children start school with attainment below that typical for their age, especially in communication and language skills. They make good progress in the Foundation Stage and reach the goals expected for their age. Progress is good through Key Stage 1 and standards are above average. Teacher assessments in 2007 show pupils did particularly well in mathematics and writing. Pupils continue to progress well in Key Stage 2 and reach above average standards. Results of the 2007 national tests showed in science standards at the higher level were significantly above average. In English, although 93% of pupils reached the expected level in reading, only about half reached the expected level in writing. Actions to remedy this include structured opportunities to plan and write at length and ‘Talking homework’; topics to discuss at home with parents to help them organise thoughts and ideas prior to writing. Parents

p.4

Grade: 2

of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities were full of praise for the help they and their children receive. Good support and guidance for pupils’ individual needs ensures they achieve well in relation to their capabilities. Personal development including spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Excellent equality of opportunity ensures every pupil is fully included, valued and respected. Consequently, they behave really well, are very polite, cooperative, friendly and mature into caring, sensible young people. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to be healthy, feel very safe in school and trust the staff, saying any problems are sorted out straight away. They are keen to help others and are more than willing to accept responsibilities. Pupils’ contribution to the community is first rate; they are reliable play leaders, school councillors and enthusiastic Eco-Warriors. Good academic and excellent personal and social skills prepare

p.4

Grade: 2

pupils well for their educational and economic future. Good teaching provides lessons that successfully challenge all learners so they achieve well. High quality relationships add to pupils’ enjoyment; they say lessons are fun but know they are expected to work hard. The good curriculum links subjects creatively, covers basic subjects and ICT well and provides a good programme for personal development. Enrichment is excellent. Pupils and parents value the many special days and themed weeks. During the ‘Healthy Me week’ pupils sampled fruit smoothies and created photo posters to illustrate healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. Many activities, including samba drumming taught by the music specialist and events arranged through the local schools network broaden pupils’ experiences and cultural 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008 development most effectively. Sports clubs and music are popular and older pupils recently

p.4

Grade: 2

participated in challenging outdoor activities during an exciting residential visit. Outstanding care, guidance and support contribute strongly to pupils’ well-being so they achieve well academically and socially. Safeguarding arrangements meet all current requirements. Very good assessment systems monitor progress rigorously so staff quickly spot any underachievement and direct help where needed. In writing, pupils have clear success criteria and use a colour code to self-evaluate and check how well they are doing. This has given pupils greater responsibility for their progress in writing but has not yet been extended to other subjects. The headteacher’s strong commitment and vision for improvement inspires all aspects of the school’s work. Effective performance management systems and in-service training closely link priorities in the school development plan and outcomes from rigorous analysis of results.

p.5

Grade: 2

Governance is good. Active involvement in the life of the school gives governors secure knowledge from which to challenge and support. The budget is carefully directed to raise standards, promote pupils’ welfare and to refurbish the oldest parts of the building. Value for money is good and there is good capacity for further improvement.

p.5

Grade: 2

The Foundation Stage is well led and ensures that provision is good. The children come from a variety of pre-school settings and start school with skills below those usually seen, especially in the vital areas of communication and language. Good induction arrangements ensure children quickly feel secure and happy in school, ready to investigate the rich range of activities available to them. Good teaching, firmly based on a well planned curriculum provides an appropriate blend of adult and child led activities. The attractive outdoor area is well resourced to extend learning but opportunities to use this facility are overly dependent on good weather. Careful monitoring of progress and activities closely matched to individual needs ensures children make good progress in all areas of learning. By the end of their Reception year, most children reach, and some exceed the levels usually seen at their age.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in writing for older pupils.

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ Extend the use of self-evaluation to give pupils increasing involvement and responsibility for their own learning. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008 .

p.5

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: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008

p.6

Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 1 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 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

p.7

and interests of learners?

1 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

p.7

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: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008

p.7

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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008

p.8

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

19 March 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Feniscowles Primary School, Blackburn, BB2 5EG Thank you for making me so welcome when I visited your school. I really enjoyed my day because you were all very polite, friendly and helpful. You told me how much you enjoy school and everything you do. Your parents are very pleased with the school because you are happy and achieve well. Everyone seemed to enjoy the ‘Healthy Me’ week, especially tasting the different fruit smoothies and Year 6 were dressing up to be photographed to show what happens if you do not live a healthy lifestyle! I promised I would write a letter telling you what I found. Feniscowles is a good school that is led well by your headteacher. The staff and governors are a good team and make sure the school meets all your needs. Your personal and social development is excellent. You behave very well, really enjoy school and feel safe and secure. I

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

was very impressed with all the jobs you do to help the school and the community. Your school makes sure you have many skills that prepare you well for the future. Children get off to a good start in the Reception classes. You told me your teachers make lessons fun and expect you to work hard. You are taught well and I know you work hard because you reach standards that are higher than most children of your age. Well done! Older children now need to do better in writing; I have asked the teachers to help them do this. I know you enjoy the ‘Big Write’ and your parents help with your ‘Talking homework’. You have a lot of exciting extra activities, including trips and playing the drums. The staff look after you really well and keep a very close eye on your progress. You check your writing using the colour system and success criteria. I have asked the teachers to extend this system because I think you could

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

do this in mathematics and science as well, so you know how to improve even more of your work. Thank you again for all your help. I send my very best wishes to you all Kathleen McArthur Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Feniscowles Primary School, 18 March 2008

p.9