Blakesley Church of England Primary School

Blakesley Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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121959 Unique Reference Number Northamptonshire Local Authority 314166 Inspection number 13 November 2008 Inspection date Terry Elston Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. The registered childcare, managed by the governing body, was inspected under section 49 of the Childcare Act 2006.

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Primary Type of school Voluntary controlled School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 92 School (total) 0 Government funded early education provision for children aged 3 to the end of the EYFS 0 Childcare provision for children aged 0 to 3 years The governing body Appropriate authority Christine Rodhouse Chair Mary Barnett Headteacher 11 October 2004 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection The Green School address Blakesley Towcester NN12 8RD 01327 860257 Telephone number

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4–11 Age group 13 November 2008 Inspection date 314166 Inspection number 01327 860257 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 13 November 2008 Inspection date 314166 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. 3 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: the standards and progress of pupils at Key Stage 2 in science how well the school helps pupils understand and appreciate the diverse cultures in their society the use of information and communication technology (ICT) across the curriculum. The inspectors gathered evidence from observations of lessons, discussions with pupils, governors and staff, tracking pupils' progress, analysis of attendance and gaining the views of parents. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspectors 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 very small village school admits pupils from a wide catchment area. The proportion of pupils that leave prior to Year 6 is higher than is normally found because some parents choose to send their children to schools in the private sector. Children enter the Early Years Foundation Stage provision (EYFS) with skills typical of their ages. The headteacher was appointed in September 2007.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008

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Grade: 2

This is a good school where pupils do well in all aspects of their development and leave well prepared for the future. They feel proud to be part of a close-knit community where everyone's feelings are valued and respected. They achieve well because the teaching is consistently good and they work very hard. Pupils build well on their fast start in Reception and their standards are above average in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2. This good progress is maintained in Key Stage 2, and standards are above average in both English and mathematics by the end of Year 6. In science, while standards are a little above average, some pupils are unsure what to do when asked to complete more complex experiments. The school recognises the need to provide pupils with more practice in science investigations. The school has developed a good reputation for its support of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and

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Grade: 2

their speedy progress is testament to the effectiveness of the provision. Pupils love school and attend regularly. They like being part of a small school where they make close friends of all ages. They develop a very clear sense of right and wrong and behave exceptionally well, both in class and around the school. They take responsibility readily, and members of the school council take their duties seriously. Pupils think deeply about issues such as the environment and sustainability and write sensitive poems about topics such as loneliness and poverty. They have a good awareness of other cultures and gain much from their close links with pupils from Belarus and their fund raising for a child in India. Pupils are closely involved in their community through the church and by working with local people to improve village facilities. Pupils think highly of their teachers who they say are 'friendly and helpful'. Teachers work hard

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Grade: 2

at making lessons fun so that pupils enjoy learning. They have high expectations of pupils, who respond by always trying to do their best. Teachers' knowledge of subjects is mostly very good, although not all have the confidence or skills to encourage pupils to make full use of ICT in lessons. Assessment systems are thorough, and teachers use them well to provide work at the right level for pupils' abilities. The curriculum is planned well. It provides a good structure for pupils to develop their literacy and numeracy skills while giving them many opportunities to hone their sporting and artistic talents. Provision for music is a real strength, and many pupils sing and play instruments to a high standard. The comprehensive personal, social and health education curriculum ensures that pupils have a very good awareness of the need to look after their bodies and see the dangers associated with smoking, drugs and alcohol. A wide range of visits and visitors from

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Grade: 2

around the world enrich the curriculum and enhance pupils' cultural awareness. Parents value highly the good care, support and guidance offered by the school. As one said, 'It's clear that children are very much at the forefront of every decision made.' The staff know the pupils very well and ensure that any who are worried or upset are supported effectively. All safeguarding procedures are robust and monitored regularly. The school tracks pupils' progress very systematically so that any pupils who are falling behind are given help. These many strengths are made possible by strong but sensitive leadership and management. The headteacher has made a positive start in her first year and has a good feel for how to improve the provision. Already, initiatives to raise standards in writing and mathematics have borne fruit, and moves to improve provision for ICT and science are well under way. Other senior staff provide good support to the headteacher and play an important part in school

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Grade: 2

5 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008 improvement. The knowledgeable governors support the school enthusiastically and are not afraid to hold the leaders to account. The school has done well since the last inspection and is well set to improve further.

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Grade: 2

Provision is good. Children get off to a good start when they join Reception because of the good communication between the school and pre-school providers. The children make good progress and leave the Reception with skills higher that those expected of their ages. The good care and support mean that they develop their personal and social skills particularly well and behaviour is excellent. Parents are unanimous that it is the good teaching that makes their children want to come to school every day. Teachers capture children's interest by using resources imaginatively and setting demanding challenges. For example, children made excellent progress in their literacy skills and learned much about their environment when reconstructing a story read to them and building their own tree using materials from a nearby wood. Staff observe and record children's progress carefully and use this information well to plan the next steps in learning.

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Grade: 2

The detailed curriculum planning gives children a good balance of work and play. The classroom is bright and stimulating with lots of examples of children's work to remind them of their learning. The children have reasonable access to the outdoor area, but there is a lack of equipment to fully develop children's imagination and physical skills. The school has a good action plan to improve this area in the very near future. The leadership and management are good. The staff work very closely as a team to enable children to develop a love of learning. They have a clear understanding of how to improve the provision in order to raise achievement.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in science at Key Stage 2 by giving pupils more opportunities to develop their experimental skills. ■ Ensure that all teachers have the skills and confidence to make full use of ICT in all subjects. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 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. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 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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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 capacity to make any necessary improvements

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EYFS?

2 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 2 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 2 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 2 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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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/or disabilities make progress

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Achievement and standards

1 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: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008

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learners?

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

How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 2 How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?

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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 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination eliminated 2 How well does the school contribute to community cohesion? 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: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

14 November 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Blakesley Church of England Primary School, Towcester, NN12 8RD Thank you for your valuable help during the recent inspection of your school. We were very impressed with the way you spoke so confidently to us. It was good to see you work so hard and have such fun in school. You are clearly very proud of your good school and you are right to be. What we found out about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress and the standard of your work is higher than is found in most schools. ■ You have a good knowledge of how to keep safe and live healthy lives.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers do a good job. They make lessons fun so that you enjoy learning.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy the activities planned for you and the wide range of clubs at lunchtime and after school for things like music and sport. The Rock Club was particularly impressive! ■ You behaviour is outstanding, and you take very good care of each other.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy taking responsibility and the school council helps makes important improvements to your school. ■ Your school's leaders run the school well and know how to improve it further.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ All the adults take very good care of you and are always there if you need help.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

What we would like the school to do now.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Help you to improve your skills in doing experiments in science. You can help by taking more care when planning your investigations. ■ Give you more opportunities to use ICT in lessons.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Best wishes for the future! Yours faithfully Terry Elston Lead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Blakesley Church of England Primary School, 13 November 2008

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