Austwick Church of England VA Primary School

Austwick Church of England VA Primary School Inspection report

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121620 Unique Reference Number North Yorkshire Local Authority 314058 Inspection number 19 November 2007 Inspection date Gordon Allison 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 aided School category 3 °10 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 47 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Ian Plimmer Chair Mrs L Crutchley Headteacher 31 March 2003 Date of previous school inspection Austwick School address Lancaster North Yorkshire LA2 8BN 01524 251366 Telephone number 01524 251366 Fax number

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3-10 Age group 19 November 2007 Inspection date 314058 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.

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Description of the school

This very small rural school serves an area where pupils are drawn from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. The pupils transfer at the age of 10, mostly to one middle school. Most are of a White British heritage. The number of pupils from ethnic groups is well below that found in most schools. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is well below average. The school has gained the Investors in People award and the Special Educational Needs Quality Mark.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. Pupils thrive intellectually and personally in the caring yet demanding atmosphere. The headteacher's exceptional vision and drive give a clear direction to the school. Pupils therefore respond very well; they enjoy school and display enthusiasm and commitment in everything they do. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive and appreciative of the school. Overall, the school provides very good value for money. Pupils come to school with skills that are as normally expected of children of this age. Their performance in national tests at Key Stage 1 is well above average. By the end of Year 5, pupils' standards are also well above average, which represents excellent progress. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities also make very good progress because of the effective learning materials that are provided and the very good support they receive from all staff. Standards in

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Grade: 1

information and communication technology (ICT) are well above average as the school has invested heavily in equipment that pupils use very effectively to enhance their learning. Pupils make strong progress in lessons because of the outstanding teaching, which has a profound knowledge of each pupil at its heart. Therefore, teachers skilfully plan and adapt their input to challenge every individual. Higher-level teaching assistants are also very effective in supporting pupils and in leading group work. Pupils are interested in their work because the innovative curriculum based upon themes is suitably challenging. It provides extremely good opportunities for pupils to use their English, mathematics and ICT skills in relevant situations. Pupils develop very well personally as they move through the school. Behaviour is excellent. Pupils care about and support each other very well. They know how to keep safe and live a

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Grade: 1

healthy lifestyle. The school is an integral and important part of the community through its close links with the church, the local area and charities. Pupils receive very good guidance on how to improve their work. All staff cooperate well as a team to share and develop ideas. They are actively encouraged by the governors and headteacher to further develop their skills and experience. As a result, all take the lead in developing ways to further enhance pupils' learning. The school's performance is rigorously monitored so that any dip in performance is immediately identified and effective measures are put in to place to rectify the problem. Development planning accurately identifies the most important areas for attention. Governors are very supportive of the school and effective in evaluating its performance. The issues raised in the last inspection have been resolved and the school has very good capacity for further improvement.

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Grade: 1

Pupils receive an outstanding start to their education because of the very good provision in the Foundation Stage. When children start in the Nursery they show the level of skills and personal development expected for their age. The outstanding teaching, and excellent support, focus on providing activities that are clearly matched to the learning goals for each child's stage of development. Activities are stimulating both inside and in the outdoor play area. Children take full advantage of these and are subtly guided by the teaching staff to reinforce and develop understanding. Therefore, by the end of the Reception year children reach well above the nationally expected levels in all areas of learning. This represents very good progress. Children cooperate well with each other, they enjoy the experiences offered to them and behaviour is 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007

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Grade: 1

excellent. ICT is used very well and children become quite independent in its use. Leadership and management are very effective. A particular strength is the very detailed assessment and tracking system that is used to target effectively the learning needs of each child. Links with parents are strong and they speak highly of the start their children make.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ There are no significant issues for the school to address that are not already identified in its planning.

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Grade: 1

From the very good start in the Foundation Stage, pupils continue to achieve very well in the rest of the school. Standards in national tests and assessments at the end of Key Stage 1 have been well above average in recent years. A significant feature has been the well above average proportion of pupils who reach the higher levels at the end of Key Stage 1 in reading, writing and mathematics. By the end of Year 5, pupils' standards are also well above average in the optional national tests and inspection evidence supports this. Standards remain high because of the very good monitoring of pupils' performance. This information is used very effectively to adapt teaching methods. For example, teachers now concentrate on mathematical vocabulary which was previously identified as a relatively weak area by the school; as a result standards have improved. Teachers advise pupils very well on those areas that need improvement. Pupils'

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Grade: 1

ability to read very fluently and to write imaginatively and accurately reflects the well structured literacy programme developed throughout the school.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' attitude to learning is very good. They take a pride in their work and want to succeed. They willingly take on responsibility and most are given roles that allow them to extend their skills, such as 'computer technician'. The school council has been very effective in improving facilities for the pupils and in fundraising activities for charity. Assemblies develop pupils' spiritual development very well. Pupils have a keen awareness of what is right and wrong. They work together well and respect each other. Therefore, pupils say there is no bullying. Attendance overall is good. However, in spite of the school's robust procedures the proportion of absences caused by holidays being taken in term-time was above average in 2006. Pupils know the importance of keeping fit as shown by the high numbers who run at lunchtime. Pupils' knowledge of their own and other cultures is good. A particular strength is their understanding of the

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Grade: 1

characteristics of the main world faiths. The pupils' well-developed interpersonal skills and academic development prepare them very well for the next stage of their education.

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Grade: 1

Teaching is very well structured to meet the needs of all pupils in the mixed-age classes. Therefore pupils make very good progress. They know exactly what to do because teachers explain the tasks clearly. Pupils develop well as independent learners because teachers encourage them to experiment and to find things out for themselves. Pupils are encouraged to discuss 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007 and cooperate so that they learn from each other. They are encouraged to assess each other's work and to offer alternatives. This often leads to very mature discussions, which the teachers manage unobtrusively. Pupils know what they need to do to improve because of the excellent comments that their teachers provide in their books. Pupils use the interactive display boards very well, for example to demonstrate and display solutions to mathematical problems. Teachers

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Grade: 1

provide challenging tasks that extend the most gifted appropriately.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is very successful in promoting pupils' personal and intellectual development. The overall planning, based upon themes each term, provides an effective structure around which appropriate activities are planned. As a result, pupils find their work interesting and challenging. There is a very good emphasis on enjoyment and extending pupils' experiences. The development of the teaching of French from Reception is a good example. Residential visits are successful and enjoyed immensely by the pupils. Extra-curricular activities are wide ranging and pupils participate enthusiastically. Many pupils take advantage of the extensive opportunities for music tuition. There are good links with other providers that enhances the curriculum, for example pupils speak highly of the healthy living sessions provided by the health visitor.

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Grade: 1

Pastoral care is outstanding and ensures that all pupils are very well cared for. Good procedures are in place to ensure that pupils are kept safe and child protection arrangements are in place. Academic guidance is very good, as pupils clearly know their targets and what they have to do to achieve them. Links with the local middle school are good and pupils feel secure about moving on there. The recent introduction of French teaching by a higher-level teaching assistant supported by a member of staff from the middle school has further helped to consolidate this confidence.

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Grade: 1

The excellent progress made by the pupils is directly linked to the outstanding leadership and management at all levels in the school. Teachers are not content with how things are; they continuously want to improve the provision for pupils. Therefore, the school is very much one that evaluates itself effectively then acts upon these messages. The school improvement plan is the result of the input of all stakeholders and provides appropriate structure to the school's development. Central to this is the very effective headteacher whose outstanding leadership skills set the tone for the school. The management of the school is also excellent as it runs smoothly and as a result pupils are happy and content. The extensive and detailed tracking system enables teachers to analyse how well pupils are progressing and to intervene as appropriate. Governors have developed their knowledge and understanding of their role through

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Grade: 1

regular training and provide a good level of challenge to the school. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007 .

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Grade: 1

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 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

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 2 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. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I was most grateful for the kindness, cooperation and welcome I received when I visited your school. I enjoyed talking to you about your work; listening to what you thought of the school, looking at the excellent displays on the walls, and seeing you work hard and enjoy your lessons. I have made a list below of the main things I found out about your school. What I found good about your school

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make excellent progress as you move through the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The atmosphere is warm and friendly and staff make sure you feel safe and happy.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You are polite, help others and you behave very well.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You learn to play safely and know how to keep fit and healthy.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You help other people through what you do for charity.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You take responsibility and make a very good contribution to the running of the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You attend an outstanding school so I could not find any important things that need to be improved that the school is not already tackling. 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Austwick Church of England VA Primary School, 19 November 2007

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