Berwick Middle School

122354 Unique Reference Number Northumberland Local Authority 314275 Inspection number 11 °12 March 2008 Inspection dates Paul Hancock 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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Middle deemed secondary Type of school Community School category 9 °13 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 379 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Brian Watson Chair Mr David Mulholland Headteacher Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection Lovaine Terrace School address Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland TD15 1LA 01289 306140 Telephone number 01289 306140 Fax number

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9-13 Age group 11 °12 March 2008 Inspection dates 314275 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 and two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Berwick Middle School is situated in a market town on the border with Scotland. The school is subject to reorganisation proposals. Nearly all pupils have English as their first language and there are very few students from minority ethnic groups. The number of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is above average. There are more pupils with a statement of special educational need than normally found partly because the school has a designated unit which includes pupils with a hearing impairment.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008

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Grade: 2

Berwick Middle is a good school with outstanding features. It is continuing to improve under the strong leadership of the new headteacher, supported by a good senior management team and governing body. Capacity to improve is good. For example, attendance has significantly improved since the last inspection in 2004. All pupils, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, make good progress and achieve well, often from a low starting point. Standards are above average although results at Key Stage 2 in English are lower than they are in mathematics and science. The school is taking effective action to improve achievement in English and the inspection found standards are rising, particularly in writing. The quality of teaching and learning is good and a proportion is excellent. The quality of assessment has improved since the last inspection. The school recognises there is more to be

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Grade: 2

done, for example, by providing more consistent feedback to pupils on how they can improve their work. The tracking of individual pupil performance is rigorous and information is used well to help pupils learn more quickly and effectively. Personal development is an outstanding feature. Pupils thoroughly enjoy learning, feel safe and well cared for. A typical parent comment was, ‘My child is safe and happy at the school and any problems are dealt with sensitively and promptly.’ Another outstanding feature is the curriculum, particularly the wide range of well attended activities outside lesson time. Staff know individual pupils very well and work closely as a team. Care, guidance and support are good and contribute positively to pupils’ progress. Resources are effectively deployed to achieve good value for money.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise achievement and standards in English.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Provide more consistent feedback to pupils on how they can improve their work.

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Grade: 2

Standards are above average and achievement is good. A high proportion of pupils start with attainment and skills that are below average. All groups of pupils make good progress and achieve well by the end of Year 8. Overall performance has met and exceeded targets, despite a dip in the 2007 results due to a cohort with more pupils with below average attainment. Progress in mathematics and science is better than in English. The school is taking effective action to raise achievement in English. Standards at Key Stage 2 steadily increased over the 4 years to 2006 to above average, and fell close to average in 2007. In 2007, the attainment of girls was higher than boys in the national tests. Inspection evidence shows boys are now doing as well as girls. At Key Stage 3, standards have improved over the last 4 years. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make good progress. Evidence from school data indicates that current Year 8 pupils are on course to achieve their

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Grade: 2

targets. A comment by one parent echoes the views of many others, ‘It is a very good school and my child has progressed very well from year 5 to year 8.’ 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008

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Grade: 1

Pupils’ personal development and well-being are outstanding. Many parents say how much their children mature during their time at the school. A typical comment from a parent is, ‘The school provides a very positive environment in which to grow and every child is treated as an individual.’ Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and attitudes to learning are excellent. The positive ethos and highly effective behaviour management by staff are reflected in the very good behaviour in lessons and across the school. Pupils feel safe and are very proud of their school. Attendance rates are well above average and this is a significant improvement since the last inspection. Students are supported in developing healthy lifestyles through physical activities both in lessons and after school. Many choose to eat a healthy lunch provided either by home or school. Personal and workplace skills are well developed through a wide range of activities.

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Grade: 1

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted very well in all activities. Pupils have many opportunities in lessons to explore important issues and they demonstrate the confidence to express strong opinions. A wide variety of visits and projects quickly develop an excellent understanding of community and diversity of culture. For example, pupils produce their own play at the local theatre every year which develops their self-esteem and confidence very well.

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Grade: 2

The quality of teaching and learning is good overall, and a proportion is outstanding. Teachers consistently set clear learning objectives and pupils have a very good understanding of what they need to do to achieve them. As a result, students work with a clear focus and at a good pace. Pupils are enthusiastic, confident learners, making good progress because well structured lessons are effectively matched to their individual talents and learning needs. Learning assistants are highly effective in supporting pupils with additional learning needs which allows all pupils to fully access the curriculum. The learning environment both supports and celebrates pupils’ achievements. Information and communication technology is effectively used as a vehicle to enhance learning. In some subjects, learning is guided by teachers’ helpful feedback on how to improve. In other subjects, feedback is less helpful. The school knows that this sharing of good practice across all subjects is an area

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Grade: 2

for improvement. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong and supportive. Pupils are keen to contribute to lessons, clearly enjoying the wide range of learning opportunities that are provided. Pupils work very well in groups, demonstrating mature, caring and responsible attitudes to the learning needs of others. Learning skills are well developed as they confidently manage tasks requiring them to carry out research, lead groups and work on their own. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is excellent and meets statutory requirements. It is broad, balanced, and accessed by all pupils. Very extensive provision of field trips and visits help to provide a live context to pupils’ learning. The curriculum is significantly enhanced by the large number and range of extra-curricular opportunities enjoyed by many pupils. High levels of participation in sport have been recognised by the achievement of Sportsmark in 2008, and contribute to the achievement of the Healthy Schools award. Leadership skills are nurtured by the school through participation in outdoor pursuits courses. The impact is seen in lessons where pupils are very ready to take on responsibilities for leading groups. Pupils experience citizenship through activities such as visits by local councillors to help pupils conduct election campaigns for the student council. Strong links with business have been forged and pupils regularly experience the world of work through placements and visits. Staff go to

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Grade: 1

great lengths to ensure the learning environment is adapted where needed so that pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities can enjoy the full range of learning experiences.

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Grade: 2

The quality of care, guidance and support is good. Staff know the pupils very well and are sensitive to their needs, especially those who are vulnerable. Arrangements for safeguarding pupils are in place and meet requirements. There are good partnerships with external agencies that provide specialist support. Extensive links with partner schools ensure good transfer arrangements into Year 5 and then into Year 9. Arrangements for tracking and monitoring pupils’ progress have recently been strengthened. The school knows providing more consistent feedback to pupils on how they can improve their work is an area for improvement. Pupils who are at risk of not achieving as well as they should are clearly identified through the tracking system and intervention plans are put in place. Pupils feel confident about going to staff with their worries. They say that although bullying is rare, when it occurs it is always dealt with quickly and effectively. A typical parent reflected

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Grade: 2

the views of many when saying, ‘My child is extremely happy at the school.’

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Grade: 2

The quality of leadership and management, including governance, is good. As a result, pupils enjoy a caring, settled, well resourced environment with good quality teaching and learning. Equality of opportunity is promoted exceptionally well. The recently appointed headteacher is building on the improvements evident since the last inspection. The quality of monitoring systems has recently improved, self-evaluation is more robust, and targets are met. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008 Governors steer the work of the school very well. They monitor and evaluate the performance of the school and act as a critical friend. Capacity to improve is good and performance has significantly improved since the last inspection. Resources are effectively deployed to achieve good value for money. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008 .

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Grade: 2

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 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 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 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

13 March 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Berwick Middle School, Northumberland TD15 1LA Thank you for all your help when I inspected the school with my colleagues. Please would you pass on my thanks to your parents and carers for returning the questionnaires and say we took their views into account. I thought you might like to know what we found about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Berwick Middle is a good school with outstanding features.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ It is moving in the right direction under the strong leadership of the new headteacher supported by a good senior management team and governing body. ■ The quality of teaching and learning is very good.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress and standards are above average.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your personal development and the curriculum are outstanding features, particularly the wide range of activities outside lesson time. Your teachers and the staff work very hard and want to make the school even better. To help them do this, I have asked if they could:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ help you to make better progress in English

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ provide you with more consistent feedback on how to improve your work.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I wish you every success in all you do in the future. Yours sincerely Paul Hancock Her Majesty’s Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Berwick Middle School, 11 °12 March 2008

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