Manor Park Infant and Nursery School

Manor Park Infant and Nursery School Inspection report

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122625 Unique Reference Number Nottinghamshire Local Authority 314349 Inspection number 17 °18 June 2008 Inspection dates Sue Hall 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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Infant Type of school Community School category 3 °7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 173 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr John Bowers Chair Mrs Carol Litowczuk Headteacher 1 December 2003 Date of previous school inspection Flatts Lane School address Calverton Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG14 6JZ 0115 9652472 Telephone number 0115 9653570 Fax number

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3-7 Age group 17 °18 June 2008 Inspection dates 314349 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 two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This small infant and nursery school serves the former mining village of Calverton and surrounding area. Children are of White British heritage and all speak English as a first language. The number of children entitled to free school meals is slightly above average. The proportion from ethnic minority groups is low and none speaks English as an additional language. The number with additional learning needs is slightly above average. In some year groups, there are considerably more boys than girls. The school holds Activemark, Investor in People and Healthy Schools Gold awards.

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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: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008

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Grade: 3

The school provides a satisfactory quality of education. This judgement is below the school's own evaluation of its effectiveness. Parents are generally pleased with the quality of education offered to their children. Many are particularly happy with the warmth and pastoral care provided, especially in the Nursery. Children really enjoy their time in Nursery. Children enter with skills, knowledge and understanding that are slightly below the expectation for their age. They make satisfactory overall progress in the Foundation Stage and start Year 1 with skills that are slightly below average. In Years 1 and 2 they make satisfactory progress and by the age of seven standards are broadly average overall. Assessment information indicates boys do not do as well as girls and to a greater extent than seen nationally. Over several years, children have done well in writing but reading skills, especially of the boys, are not as high. In mathematics a larger

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Grade: 3

proportion achieved the higher levels this year. Those of all abilities and from a range of backgrounds achieve satisfactorily, which provides them with a sound level of preparation for their future. Children's personal development is satisfactory, as is their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Most enjoy school and like taking part in practical activities. Many have positive attitudes to learning, although some do not try as hard as they could. Behaviour is satisfactory overall but a minority of boys do not behave well enough. Most children have a satisfactory understanding of how to keep themselves safe, but some do not think how their behaviour affects the learning and safety of others. Most understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle, but many children and parents are not convinced of the benefits of healthy packed lunches. Children enjoy being on the school council and have satisfactory opportunities to make a positive

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Grade: 3

contribution to the school and wider community. Teaching and learning are satisfactory. In the Nursery, much is expected of the children and activities are lively and interesting. However, observations of teaching and scrutiny of samples of recent work show that not enough is expected of older children, especially of those of average and higher attainment. The curriculum is satisfactory overall. Visits to places of interest and visitors are used well to motivate learning, although children are not given enough opportunities to systematically develop their reading skills at a higher level. Care, guidance and support are satisfactory. The support for children with additional needs is good. As a result, their academic achievement is satisfactory and most make good gains in their personal development. There are warm and caring relationships between children and staff. Safeguarding procedures meet government requirements, but the monitoring of health and safety is not rigorous enough to

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Grade: 3

ensure that good practice is the norm. Academic guidance is satisfactory, although the marking of children's work is variable. Staff have extended the ways in which they check and track the progress made, although this information is not always used well enough in planning activities. Leadership and management is satisfactory. The school staff is a long serving and experienced team who support each other well. However, the monitoring of the work of the school, including risk assessments, lacks evaluative rigour in identifying what needs to be improved. Governance is satisfactory. The school has satisfactory capacity to continue to improve. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008

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Grade: 3

When children enter the Nursery they have a mix of skills and learning experiences. Their personal and social development is often limited initially, and many are quiet and struggle to communicate, having only a few spoken words. Children of all abilities make good progress in the Nursery, because they are well taught and enjoy a wide range of interesting practical activities. These are carefully linked to themes with particular thought to what topics will interest and motivate boys. Good use is made of the extensive indoor and outdoor facilities. Children settle well in the Nursery and parents are very pleased with the amount of progress they make and how they grow in confidence. Children make satisfactory progress in Reception. However, at times, not enough is expected of them and behaviour management is not fully effective, which slows down learning. When children enter Year 1, their skills are slightly below

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Grade: 3

average, particularly in the area of communication, language and literacy with speaking and reading skills sometimes being quite low.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the progress that boys make, especially in reading.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that teaching is consistently demanding by making full use of assessment information to challenge all children. ■ Monitor the effectiveness of the work of the school in a rigorous manner in order to identify clearly areas for further improvement. A small proportion of the schools whose overall effectiveness is judged satisfactory but which have areas of underperformance will receive a monitoring visit by an Ofsted inspector before their next section 5 inspection.

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Grade: 3

Children enter the Nursery with a very wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding. Initially many have limited social development, they are very quiet and their speaking skills are often restricted. They make good progress in Nursery, but at the end of their first year many children, including several with higher level skills, leave the school. In some year groups there are considerably more boys than girls. In Reception, Year 1 and 2 children make satisfactory overall progress. Teacher assessments at the end of Year 2 show variation from year to year. Overall standards in the current Year 2 are close to national averages. Children generally do well in their writing. In 2007, standards dipped and boys did not do well, especially in their reading. Overall standards are set to rise this year, particularly in mathematics, although this is not yet an established trend. Progress is inconsistent and not enough boys do really well.

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Grade: 3

The majority of children, including those who find learning more difficult, achieve at least satisfactorily, although some boys could achieve more.

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Grade: 3

Children's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is satisfactory, as is their overall personal development. Children generally cooperate in class and help each other with their learning. There are, however, pockets of poor behaviour which sometimes inhibit learning. Children like coming to school; they particularly enjoy using the exciting play equipment at 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008 break-times and finding out about the environment. Most move sensibly around the school and are generally aware of how to keep themselves safe. The school has focussed upon the need for exercise in the curriculum and out of school, which is helping to improve levels of fitness. Children understand the importance of healthy eating, but packed lunches do not reflect this. Children make a satisfactory contribution to the school community. The school council provides tangible proof that the pupil voice has influenced developments such as Spanish

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Grade: 3

lessons in Year 2. Attendance is satisfactory and improving.

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Grade: 3

Teachers have good relationships with the children and give them lots of praise and encouragement. As a result, children generally want to learn. There is a good number of staff and occasional volunteers in lessons ensuring children receive a good amount of adult support. Teaching assistants are usually used well to work with groups of children and particularly to support those with additional needs. The overall level of challenge offered in tasks is satisfactory. While the school has sound systems to check and track the progress children make, the information available is not always used well enough to ensure all groups and particularly average and higher attaining groups are extended in their learning. At times, staff miss opportunities to promote speaking skills to a higher level. The teaching of reading is not systematic or demanding enough to ensure all children reach their potential.

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Grade: 3

The school makes good use of its facilities to enrich the curriculum. For instance, use of the wild life area is built into lessons in order to develop children's environmental awareness. In addition, Education for Sustainable Development is a strength and this links closely with a local 'Trail Blazers' initiative. The school has improved information and communication technology (ICT) facilities and computers are used satisfactorily across the curriculum. Years 1 and 2 have swimming lessons, which they enjoy and which help them to keep safe. Visits and visitors provide exciting opportunities for learning and, at some times of the year, extra curricular activities such as Judo, football, dance and the ICT clubs also broaden children's outlook. There are after school sports activities to appeal to boys and motivate them to learn. The school has introduced activities to encourage children to develop their speaking skills. A reading programme

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Grade: 3

based on letter sounds has also been adapted to tackle low standards in reading, however, activities are not planned well enough to raise skills to a higher level.

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Grade: 3

Attendance is improving because the measures the school has taken in working in partnership with parents and the Local Authority have proved effective. Provision for children who find learning difficult for a range of reasons, is good. The school works closely with outside agencies in supporting children and their families. Indeed, the school has been involved in planning for the local Children's Centre initiative, designed to improve facilities for children from birth to 5 years of age. Those with emotional difficulties are well served and the school has received an award for mental health in recognition of the work undertaken. Children with specific learning 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008 difficulties are supported well by their teachers and a team of experienced teaching assistants. These pupils come on well in terms of their personal development and make satisfactory

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Grade: 3

academic progress. Those who have been identified as 'Gifted' are supported through special work prepared for them. Procedures to keep children safe and secure largely meet requirements, although systems and day-to-day practice are not checked thoroughly enough. Children in Key Stage 1 have individual targets to help them improve their writing, but there are currently no targets in reading and mathematics. The marking of children's work is inconsistent and staff do not always indicate to children how they can improve.

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Grade: 3

Most of the staff have worked at the school for many years, and parents praise the warmth and care shown to their children, particularly in the Nursery. The leadership of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is good and ensures these children receive effective support, which particularly helps those with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The headteacher and deputy have a close working partnership and staff are very supportive of each other. However, this strength is also a challenge for staff when they come to evaluate the quality of provision in a rigorous manner. Whilst observations of teaching and learning, scrutinies of work and risk assessments are carried out, these activities lack a rigorous focus on what needs to be done to improve outcomes for pupils. Governance is satisfactory. Governors are supportive of the school and are keen to extend their first-hand knowledge of its effectiveness.

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Grade: 3

7 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008 .

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Grade: 3

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 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? 3 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 3 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

3 How well do learners achieve? 3 The standards 1 reached by learners How well learners make progress, taking account of any significant variations between groups of learners 3 How well learners with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress

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learners?

3 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 3 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well learners enjoy their education 3 The attendance of learners 3 The behaviour of learners 3 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?

3 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: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 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 3 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 3 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: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

19 June 2008 Dear Children Inspection of Manor Park Infants and Nursery, Flatts Lane, Calverton, Notts, NG14 6JZ Thank you very much for looking after us when we visited your school recently. We really enjoyed meeting you in lessons, in assembly, at lunchtime and especially the meeting with the school council. Overall, we think your school is satisfactory and these are some of the best things we found:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy coming to school and like the practical activities in lessons.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Children in the Nursery do well because there are lots of interesting things to do.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Many of you do well with your writing.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Those of you who find learning difficult are well supported.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school grounds are used well for practical activities and there is a good range of visits and visitors that make learning interesting. ■ There is a good number of staff and other adults to help you in lessons.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

This is what we think could be improved:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Many of you, and especially the boys, could make more progress particularly in reading.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teachers could plan work that is a little bit harder for most of you.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The staff could check more carefully what happens in and around the school to see what else could be improved. To help your school even more, a small number of children need to behave well all the time. We also want you to grow up to be fit and healthy; to help with this, it would be good if your packed lunches contained more healthy foods. Perhaps you could ask your parents to help with this? Yours sincerely Sue Hall Lead inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Manor Park Infant and Nursery School, 17 °18 June 2008

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