Orchard Primary School and Nursery

Orchard Primary and Nursery School Inspection report

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122722 Unique Reference Number NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LA Local Authority 314374 Inspection number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Roger Fry 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 Community School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 325 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mr Tim Brown Chair Mr Robert Cook Headteacher 5 July 2004 Date of previous school inspection Chapel Street School address Kirkby in Ashfield Nottinghamshire NG17 8JY 01623455939 Telephone number 01623459868 Fax number

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3-11 Age group 15 November 2007 Inspection date 314374 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 in one day. The inspection focused on three main areas. Firstly, pupils' attendance and how the school seeks to improve it. Secondly, an investigation into the differences in attainment between boys and girls to see if boys are achieving well enough. Thirdly, whether pupils' progress in mathematics is good enough. Other aspects of the school's work were also inspected briefly. Sufficient evidence was found to indicate that the school's evaluations of its work are substantially accurate. Where appropriate these evaluations are included in this report.

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Description of the school

Orchard Primary and Nursery School is larger than average. Nearly all pupils are from White British backgrounds and all speak English. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including those with a statement of special educational need, is below average. The proportion known to qualify for a free school meal is also below average. Children's attainment on entry to the Nursery is lower than that expected nationally. The school has gained: the Active Mark Gold for Physical Education in 2005, accreditation for pupils' Emotional Health and Well-being in 2006, The Gold Award for Physical Education (PE) and Sport in 2007 and the Playground Partnerships Award in 2007.

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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: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 November 2007

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Grade: 1

Orchard Primary and Nursery School provides an outstanding education for its pupils. The headteacher and staff lead the school most effectively and have built successfully on the strong foundations that already existed. In relation to lower than normal attainment on entry to the school, pupils' achievement over time is outstanding. Consequently, over the past three years, overall standards in English, mathematics and science have been significantly higher than in schools nationally at the end of Years 2 and 6, and they continue to be so this year. This is because pupils of all abilities reach demanding targets. For example, pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make exceptional progress and most reach the expected national standards in Year 6. Pupils' progress in mathematics is not significantly different from that in other core subjects, even though overall standards are marginally lower. Pupils make exceptional progress in English, mathematics

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Grade: 1

and science, because the school is extremely well organised and teaching excellent. Indeed, pupils' standards of work and progress in science are a key strength of the school. There are high levels of expertise in the teaching of science and pupils find much of the curriculum particularly interesting. The provision for design and technology and information and communication technology (ICT) has improved considerably since the previous inspection. Standards in these subjects securely meet national expectations and are at times higher. Standards are rising because subject co-ordinators have worked to good effect to raise the profile of both subjects, to improve resources and to sharpen teachers' skills. Standards in PE are also high. For example, all Year 6 pupils last year could swim 25m or more, because there is an extensive programme of swimming lessons from a young age. Parents have noticed how well their children are performing. Of those who replied to the

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Grade: 1

inspection questionnaire, virtually all agree that Orchard Primary has exceptional qualities. Typical of their comments is: 'Over this time (in school), I have been very pleased with my child's progress'. Leadership and management are excellent. When the school decides to adopt a new policy, all work together to see it through successfully. Another key reason why the school is so successful is that subject co-ordinators are experts and they organise their responsibilities very effectively. Teachers have investigated how well boys and girls perform. Their analysis shows that there is only a small gap in boys' and girls' performances, which is closing. Governors also play their part by making checks on pupils' progress and by asking the school to justify what it is doing and why. This approach gives the school an exceptional capacity to improve further. Pupils' standards and progress reflect the high quality of the teaching. Teachers present

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Grade: 1

information in many interesting ways. In a mathematics lesson in Years 3 and 4, pupils had a series of questions and answers to match up to solve problems. They found this interesting and responded extremely well. Teachers consolidate ideas in pupils' minds very well indeed and model, for example, what a good sentence looks like or how to answer a problem in mathematics. In this way, pupils have a lead to follow and can then apply their knowledge with the certainty that they are doing the right things. Teachers have high expectations, such as that work should be well presented. One pupil said: 'This is a friendly school'. Pupils bring a great sense of goodwill to school, a desire to be part of everything and an enjoyment of learning. Teachers foster these qualities 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 November 2007 very effectively by involving pupils in many aspects of school life. The school council is active.

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Grade: 1

It helps to set school rules and also to enforce them. This aspect is an exceptional feature, as pupils are showing a growing capacity to regulate aspects of their own school. Members of the council care greatly that their school is a happy place where everybody can get on really well. In this way, the school prepares pupils extremely well for their future lives. Parents comment: 'Orchard is an extremely positive school, where the care of its pupils is at the heart'. Pupils' personal development is outstanding. They behave extremely well and make the most of what the school offers them. The collection and distribution of harvest gifts for the community recently was highly successful and included produce from the school's garden. Pupils have an excellent knowledge of how to stay healthy and know that exercise is very important. The curriculum is good. The school has begun to teach some lessons in topics. Pupils

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Grade: 1

enjoy this approach greatly and several mentioned how interested they are in lessons, such as those about the moon landing and the sinking of the Titanic. However, subject co-ordinators recognize that close checks need to be made as the topic approach develops to ensure that the National Curriculum is taught as well as previously and that pupils' knowledge and skills develop in a proper sequence. The headteacher, administration staff and teachers have worked continuously to improve attendance. Recent figures show that attendance has risen above the national average. The bigger success is in improved punctuality. Hardly any pupils are late, because the school has made it clear to all families what the rules are.

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Grade: 1

Adults look after children extremely well and they feel secure, safe and settle quickly into new routines. Children's excellent behaviour reflects the strong personal, social and emotional programme. Children respond very well to the outdoor area, where they have opportunities to find out about things independently. Children learn the key skills that they need to be able to read, write and use numbers exceptionally well. The teaching consistently reinforces their knowledge of letter sounds in many interesting ways. Young children respond extremely well to the teaching, enjoy learning very much and make rapid progress. By the time they leave Reception, most have reached the standards expected of five-year-olds and many exceed them. Their progress is particularly strong in language activities, which are a major focus for Foundation Stage teaching.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that teachers monitor the new curriculum closely for its effects on standards of pupils' work and that it fully meets the National Curriculum. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 November 2007 .

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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: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 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? 2 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 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 2 The attendance of learners 1 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?

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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 November 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

16 November 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Orchard Primary and Nursery School, Chapel Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, NG17 8JY It was good to meet so many of you and to listen to your views. Special thanks go to the school council and to those of you I joined at lunchtime. This letter is to give you a flavour of what is in my full report. Here are some of the excellent features of your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make a brilliant start to your schooling in Nursery and Reception.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make outstanding progress with your work in Years 1 to 6 and leave the school with above average standards. ■ The headteacher and teachers organise the school extremely well for your benefit.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy school very much because teachers and other adults care for you so well and help you to learn. ■ You enjoy the great range of extra-curricular activities.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You have an excellent knowledge of how to keep fit and healthy.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You work hard and get on exceptionally well with one another.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school council is working really well and so are the playground peacemakers.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Your teachers have noticed that there is one area that needs attention, and I agree:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ that they keep a close watch on the new way that you are learning in topic lessons so that you experience the full National Curriculum and maintain your high standards of work. I hope that you will all keep on working hard and improving what you do. Yours faithfully Roger Fry Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Orchard Primary and Nursery School, 15 November 2007

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