Homefield VC CofE Primary School

Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School Inspection report

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121097 Unique Reference Number NORFOLK LA Local Authority 313874 Inspection number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Heather Weston HMI 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 Voluntary controlled School category 3 °8 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 264 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Iain Collingwood Chair Mrs Elizabeth Davis Headteacher 17 June 2002 Date of previous school inspection Homefield Avenue School address Bradwell Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR31 8NS 01493 661691 Telephone number 01493 444686 Fax number

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3-8 Age group 18 March 2008 Inspection date 313874 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 of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and of the Foundation Stage and investigated the following issues: the standards being reached by all groups of current pupils; the quality of teaching and the curriculum; and equality of opportunity and inclusion, with particular regard to behaviour and attendance. Evidence was gathered from visits to lessons, the scrutiny of pupils' work, assessment data and documents, parent questionnaires, and discussions with staff, pupils and parents. 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

Homefield School is slightly larger than most similar schools, and has a 52 place nursery. Pupils come from a broad range of backgrounds, although the proportion eligible for free school meals is well below average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is low, and few have English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is slightly lower than average, although the proportion with a statement of special educational needs is average. The school has an after-school club, and holds the Sports Active Mark. In September 2008, the school will begin the first phase of its re-organisation to become an all age primary, to be completed by July 2010.

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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: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 March 2008

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Grade: 2

Homefield School is a good school with outstanding features. It promotes real equality of opportunity. Developing the well-being of all pupils in every way is the core purpose of the school. This clear vision and commitment, driven by the headteacher and deputy head, and shared by all staff, means that all pupils do better than similar pupils nationally. Staff truly reflect on the social, emotional, behavioural, and above all, learning needs of every pupil. All groups of pupils reach higher standards and make better progress than similar pupils make nationally. Children's attainment on entry to the nursery is broadly in line with national expectations. Due to good provision, they make good progress in the Foundation Stage, to enter Key Stage 1 with above average standards. Apart from a slight dip in 2006, standards reached by pupils at the end of Year 2 have been above average in reading and writing and broadly average in

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Grade: 2

mathematics. In 2007, standards were above average in all subjects. Current pupils are making good progress towards their targets, although pupils at the end of Year 2 in 2008 are not expected to reach such high standards as in previous years due to the high proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or emotional and behavioural difficulties and a smaller proportion of more able pupils. Pupils' personal development and well-being is good. There are some outstanding features. Pupils say they enjoy school, feel safe and know that any problems they have will be dealt with. Because of falling attendance, the school is rightly having a concerted drive to reduce absence. As a result, pupils miss fewer days learning, and attendance is satisfactory. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of pupils' development are outstanding overall. The school can rightly claim that 'mutual respect, care and valuing of others' are shown by both staff and

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Grade: 2

pupils. Pupils are very welcoming, and demonstrate thought, care and understanding to others. Behaviour in lessons and around the school, including on the playground, is good. A number of parents expressed real concern about the impact of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and the effectiveness of school leaders in relation to the management of behaviour. Some also felt that the headteacher did not listen to their views. However, pastoral support is outstanding and the school is addressing issues of behaviour very well. The appointment of a lead behaviour professional and a pastoral mentor has strengthened the school's behaviour management structure. They work closely with pupils, parents, teachers, support assistants and outside agencies, including the local Pupil Referral Unit, and the management of behaviour is now very effective. Pupils, who expressed a balanced view, recognised that some pupils have difficulty in controlling their behaviour, but said that they

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Grade: 2

are learning to behave well, and do not interfere with the learning of others. Pupils' understanding of how to live healthy lifestyles is outstanding, and they have a good understanding of how to stay safe. They make an outstanding contribution to both the school and wider communities. Because of their very good basic skills, and the opportunities provided by the school to develop economic understanding, their economic well-being is also outstanding. Teaching and learning are good overall and some is outstanding. Senior leaders are aware of variation in the quality of teaching, and are working with staff to improve practice. The school carefully tracks pupil progress to identify any who fall behind. Action is taken promptly to prevent underachievement and make sure that pupils catch up. Staff know pupils very well, and use data well to ensure that activities in lessons are planned at just the right level for all

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Grade: 2

groups of pupils. A key feature of teaching is that teachers ensure pupils have good learning 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 March 2008 skills. In each lesson, for example, pupils know what they are expected to learn and they assess their own learning. They regularly use 'traffic light' cards to show teachers how much of a challenge their work is giving them. Close attention is paid to the development of pupils' thinking skills, and to collaboration and teamwork. However, the quality of marking and feedback, and the use of targets, are inconsistent and are not sufficiently effective in letting pupils know how to improve their work and make the next steps in their learning. In addition, whilst the presentation of pupils' work in some classes is outstanding, in others it is only satisfactory. Teaching assistants, who are deployed well by teachers, give quality support.

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Grade: 2

Teaching is underpinned by an outstanding, rich and varied curriculum, designed to match the full range of pupils' abilities and to support their personal development and well-being. Activities are planned across the curriculum to promote interest and develop key skills. Wherever possible, these suit pupils' styles of learning and are interesting, stimulating and practical. As a result, pupils are highly engaged and have a positive attitude to their work. A strong focus is given to the development of the social and emotional aspects of learning. The range of enrichment opportunities such as theme weeks, sports coaching, visits and visitors provide the icing on the cake! The quality of care, guidance and support is good and pastoral support is outstanding. Effective partnerships with other agencies provide outstanding support for pupils with particular learning difficulties and/or disabilities all of whom are given very good support. Safeguarding

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Grade: 2

procedures meet government requirements. Attention paid to child protection, risk assessments, and the health and safety of pupils is robust. Good leadership and management has created this good quality provision. Key areas of responsibility are distributed between staff, and all are aware that they are accountable for pupils' progress and welfare. Governors provide a good level of challenge and support. Self-evaluation processes are outstanding, and the impact of action to improve provision demonstrates that the school has outstanding capacity to improve. The school provides good value for money.

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Grade: 2

Provision in the Foundation Stage is good. Owing to the effective induction programme, which includes home visits, children make a secure start to their learning. They make good progress in both the Nursery and Reception years because the careful assessment of pupils' learning means that the broad range of stimulating and interesting activities is well matched to their needs. The Foundation Stage leader has an accurate understanding of the quality of provision, and consistency of approach is ensured through joint planning. Pupils are well cared for and feel safe. During their time in the Foundation Stage, they quickly develop positive attitudes to learning, a sense of self-worth, independence and the ability to cooperate very well with each other. Staff promote close liaison with parents through for example, notices and newsletters, and through the 'classbook' which helps parents to develop a greater

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Grade: 2

understanding of their child's learning. Good arrangements are in place to ensure that children make a smooth transition into Year 1.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Establish consistency in the quality of presentation of pupils' work.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure target setting, marking and feedback inform pupils how to improve their work and make the next steps in their learning. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 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: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 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? 2 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 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well 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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and interests of learners?

2 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: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 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 2 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: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

19 March 2008 Dear Pupils, Inspection of Homefield First School and Nursery, Bradwell, Norfolk NR31 8NS I thoroughly enjoyed visiting your school and meeting you all. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and for talking to me. I know that you really enjoy being at your school and that you enjoy your work. I think you go to a good school. I was very impressed by the way you all work together and the respect you all show each other. I was also very impressed by your understanding of how to be healthy and the work you do in your village and local area. Raising 700 pounds for Comic Relief by singing to people is remarkable! The adults at your school are a very good team. They look after you extremely well, and importantly, want you to do as well as you can in your learning in every way possible. Because of this, you all make good progress in your work. There are some things which I have asked Mrs Davis and the other teachers to do to help you make even better progress. These are:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Make sure that all of you always work as neatly as possible.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Make sure that you know how to improve your work and how to make the next steps in your learning. I hope you all had a good Easter holiday and are looking forward to the exciting things you are going to do this term. With best wishes Heather Weston HMI 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Homefield VC CofE First and Nursery School, 18 March 2008

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