Trowse Primary School

120862 Unique Reference Number NORFOLK LA Local Authority 313771 Inspection number 24 September 2007 Inspection date George Knights 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 102 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr James Macdonald Chair Mrs Sandra Barker Headteacher 7 February 2005 Date of previous school inspection Dell Loke School address Trowse Norwich Norfolk NR14 8TH 01603 622485 Telephone number 01603 622485 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 24 September 2007 Inspection date 313771 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 one Additional Inspector in one day. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the quality of provision in the Foundation Stage, how the school had brought about improvements in English in the past year, the setting of school targets and whether they were challenging enough, and improving pupils' awareness of living in a multi-cultural society. 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 is a smaller than average primary school on the south-east edge of the City of Norwich. The school serves the village of Trowse and its surrounding area. Pupils come from a mix of social backgrounds and the number eligible for free school meals is below average. A lower than average number have identified learning difficulties or disabilities and very few pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Attainment on entry is generally a little above that expected of 4-year-old children. The school is an 'Investor in People' and holds the 'Healthy Schools Award'.

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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: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school, which offers excellent value for money. The success of the school stems from its shared view of the need to give each and every child a rich, varied and stimulating education, grounded in the principles of developing young people who think for themselves and who care for one another and their environment. A key feature of this school is its ability to highlight, through rigorous evaluation, areas where improvement is needed. One illustration of this is the way in which, having identified that pupils were not doing as well in English as in mathematics and science, effective steps were taken to improve the quality of pupils' writing. As a result, pupils did as well in English as in other subjects in national tests in 2007. All pupils in the school now make at least good progress, with some progressing really well. They achieve standards that are consistently well above average, and

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Grade: 1

in some years exceptionally high by the time they leave. The school sets itself challenging targets for performance in national assessments and has exceeded these in recent years whilst, at the same time, not losing sight of other aspects of its work in its quest to provide a rounded education for all pupils. Rigorous evaluation is just one of many examples of the strong, incisive leadership of an outstanding headteacher. Her clarity of vision and commitment to excellence inspire strong teamwork and loyalty from her staff and the admiration of pupils and parents. As one parent aptly put it, 'The headteacher sets a high standard for teachers, pupils and parents alike', whilst another said, 'The headteacher and all the teachers are extremely dedicated and they bring out the best in the children'. The headteacher shares the confidence of a lively governing body that is much more effective than at the time of the previous inspection. Together, staff and

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Grade: 1

governors have a very clear plan for developing and improving the school still further. The school is determined that its pupils achieve well not only in English, mathematics and science but in other subjects too because staff are highly committed to giving pupils a broadly based education. This is reflected in a lively, stimulating, curriculum in which strong links are forged between different subjects and where an emphasis is placed on developing pupils' thinking skills and nurturing their independence. The addition of subjects such as French further extends the breadth of pupils' studies. This curriculum, coupled with good progress in acquiring basic skills, prepares pupils very well for their future economic well-being. Pupils feel valued and involved because they are encouraged to put forward and test their views and ideas. They are excited about their learning and love all aspects of school life, and this is reflected in their

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Grade: 1

excellent attendance in recent years. They have an excellent understanding of how to adopt healthy lifestyles and a growing sense of what it means to contribute to the school and wider communities. Pupils value the many visitors and trips and visits that enrich their learning and they take part enthusiastically in a range of clubs and activities. Teachers use their assessment of pupils' work well in order to match classroom activities to the needs of individuals. They work effectively with teaching assistants to support those, such as pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities, who might not otherwise progress as well as others. Some teachers' questioning is exceptionally effective in developing pupils' thinking and reasoning and others are working at improving this skill. Already excellent at helping pupils' social, moral and spiritual development, teachers have successfully enhanced pupils' awareness

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Grade: 1

that they are growing up in a diverse multi-cultural society. Many examples of this were evident during the inspection, not least when pupils talked animatedly about what they had learned 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007 from the visit to their school by a group of children from Chernobyl. Pupils are successfully encouraged to review and evaluate their own work and to help plan how they can improve. This helps develop their sense of self-responsibility and self-reliance. Behaviour in the school is exemplary. Pupils are courteous, kind and caring toward one another. They feel safe and secure in school, where they relate very well to adults, and they are confident that there is always somebody to help, guide or support them when the need arises. They know what is expected of them and they work enthusiastically to achieve their individual targets. Parents share their children's confidence in the school and many speak warmly about its work.

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Grade: 1

However, a small number feel that they are not always well informed about aspects of school life and that they do not know enough about the governors and what they do. The school has improved considerably since the previous inspection, successfully dealing with all the issues raised at that time and maintaining a steady improvement in both standards and breadth in what it offers its pupils. All members of the school community have a strong commitment to, and capacity for, continuing improvement and growth in the school, together with the skills to achieve this.

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Grade: 1

Working in a stimulating classroom environment with a rich and varied curriculum making very strong links between all areas of learning, children are encouraged to form excellent relationships, both with one another and with adults, and they really enjoy their learning. They quickly develop very good work patterns and routines that provide a very secure basis for their future study. They develop self-confidence and they feel very safe and well cared for. The development of children's communication skills is excellent and this helps them to make good progress in all aspects of their learning. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their children's education and they are very well informed about their children's progress. The leadership of this aspect of the school's work is strong, providing the teacher and teaching assistant with support and challenge to go on improving this aspect of the school's work.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Extend the range of methods of communication with parents, so that all parents feel well informed and have a better knowledge of governors and their work. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007 .

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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: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007

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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

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

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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 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: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007

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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: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

25 September 2007 Dear Children Inspection of Trowse Primary School, Dell Loke, Trowse NR14 8TH I would like to thank you all for making me so welcome when I came to inspect your school recently. I really enjoyed coming to your lessons, joining you in assembly and watching you play together. Thank you for talking to me about your work and telling me what you like about the school. Because you told me how good it is, you will not be surprised that I think yours is an outstanding school. Your teachers, and their assistants, help you to get off to an excellent start in Class 1 and then ensure that you continue to make good progress when you are further up the school. You obviously really enjoy learning and I'm sure that this is because your teachers involve you and help you to think and work hard in interesting and exciting lessons. Your very good attendance shows how much you like coming to school. I was impressed by the ways in which

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

you help one another and how you strive to do your best. You obviously feel very safe in school and this is because your teachers and their assistants get to know you well, care for you and make sure that you get the support you need. Your school is exceptionally well run. Your headteacher works really well with the staff, governors and your parents to ensure that the school does the best it can for you. Lots of things have improved in the school during the past few years and your teachers are continuing to look for ways to make it even better. I have asked them to make sure that all your parents know what is going on in school and to tell them about the governors and what they do. My very best wishes to you. I hope that you all do very well in the future. Yours sincerely George Knights Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Trowse Primary School, 24 September 2007

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