Broadwater CofE Primary School

Broadwater CofE First and Middle School Inspection report

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126033 Unique Reference Number West Sussex Local Authority 315405 Inspection number 16 °17 June 2008 Inspection dates George Logan 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 primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 4 °12 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 494 School The governing body Appropriate authority Christine Colthurst Chair Janet Sharp Headteacher 28 February 2005 Date of previous school inspection Rectory Gardens School address Worthing BN14 7TQ 01903 235389 Telephone number 01903 215047 Fax number

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4-12 Age group 16 °17 June 2008 Inspection dates 315405 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 three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This is a large first and middle school. The pupils are predominantly White British, with a very small number who are of Gypsy/Roma heritage. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. Very few pupils are eligible for free school meals. Pupils' attainment on entry is broadly at the level expected for their age.

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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: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008

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Grade: 2

Broadwater Church of England is a good school. It has several outstanding features. Parents rightly value the exceptional ethos of the school, its commitment to inclusion and the outstanding care, support and academic guidance provided. As one commented, 'Broadwater is truly Christian, demonstrating a labour of love in practice and allowing each child to develop their unique God-given skills.' Pupils develop very positive attitudes to learning and their personal development is outstanding. Pupils feel that they are very safe and are confident that adults will help them. They have an excellent understanding of how to stay healthy. Their good attendance and the outstanding behaviour of most pupils show that they greatly enjoy school. Children achieve well. They get off to a good start in Reception. They enter school with skills and knowledge which are broadly typical for their age and make good progress, with many

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Grade: 2

acquiring skills beyond those expected because of the well-planned curriculum and effective teaching. Planning, assessment and overall provision in the Foundation Stage are good, although the learning environment, particularly outdoors, is not sufficiently stimulating. Good teaching enables pupils in Years 1 and 2, including those with additional learning needs, to make good progress, particularly in reading and mathematics, and standards are above average at the end of Year 2. Progress has not been as consistent in Years 3 to 6. A serious dip in Year 5 in 2007, not identified sufficiently promptly, has affected the overall progress of current Year 6 pupils. While their standards are still likely to be above average this year, other than in science, they are expected to be slightly lower than in 2007. Progress is outstanding in Year 7, particularly in mathematics, and standards are well above average. Gypsy/Roma pupils make good progress,

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Grade: 2

because they attend school with relative frequency and benefit from the same good teaching as the others. Through specialist teaching, pupils acquire good skills in singing and music. The outstanding curriculum meets pupils' needs well, although there are few opportunities to develop enterprise skills. In all years, teachers plan creatively to allow pupils to practise their literacy and numeracy skills in other subjects. Pupils enthusiastically support the outstanding range of extra-curricular activities. Leadership and management are good. The headteacher has a clear vision for improvement and provides clear direction and highly effective leadership. School self-evaluation is good. Teachers are analysing data on pupils' progress more rigorously this year, to ensure that irregularities are identified more promptly, and support programmes implemented quickly. Subject leaders are empowered and have a positive impact on standards, particularly in English

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Grade: 2

and mathematics. Governors successfully fulfil their role as 'critical friends', holding school leaders to account. The school has good capacity to build further upon recent changes.

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Grade: 2

Reception children make rapid progress. Effective transition arrangements enable them to settle in quickly. They are cared for well, with individual staff each taking responsibility for a small group of children. As a result, relationships are close and supportive, so that children make particularly good gains in personal and social development. Children relate confidently to each other, have positive attitudes to learning and are keen to initiate activities. Good teaching, with some that is outstanding, and the good curriculum ensure that children make good progress in all areas of learning. Many are working at above average standards when they enter Year 1. Assessment procedures effectively identify the next steps in learning. The good 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008 focus on the shapes and sounds of letters ensures rapid progress in language, although children's

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Grade: 2

skills in reading are slightly ahead of those in writing. Their knowledge and understanding of the world has improved significantly, although creative development is slightly lower than other areas. The school recognises the need to refurbish the outdoor area and to enhance the indoor environment, to provide a more stimulating context for learning.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ ■ Enhance pupils' opportunities in the Foundation Stage through further development of the physical environment. ■ Provide more opportunities for pupils to extend their knowledge of the world of business through enterprise activities.

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Grade: 2

Pupils' achievement is good, although there are some inconsistencies. Children achieve well in Reception and almost all reach expected standards, with a significant number doing even better. Although not as high as in 2007, standards in both Year 2 and Year 6 are above average. Pupils make good progress in Years 1 and 2, though this is better in reading and mathematics than in writing. Progress in Years 3 to 6 has not been as consistent, with a significant dip in Year 5 last year. Although the school has acted to mitigate this decline and progress is now better, this has affected the achievement of the current Year 6. As a result, the school believes that they may not fully meet their expected targets this year. In Year 7, achievement is outstanding because of rigorous teaching. Standards are well above average, particularly in mathematics. Achievement is boosted by strategic grouping of pupils in English and mathematics according

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Grade: 2

to their learning needs. Additional literacy support is enabling pupils who had fallen behind in Years 4 and 5 to make exceptionally good progress in their phonic awareness. Academically gifted pupils make good progress because of the planned challenge in lessons and access to good enrichment courses.

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Grade: 1

Pupils are articulate, friendly and conduct themselves safely. Their good attendance reflects their enjoyment of school. The behaviour of most pupils is outstanding and although there has been recent low-level disruption in one year group, this has been largely resolved through appropriate intervention. Pupils feel very secure, saying that bullying is rare and that they are confident that adults will always help them. As one said, 'The teachers are genuinely nice people and treat you with respect.' Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to stay healthy, reflected both in their awareness of diet and in their support for physical activities. Pupils' spiritual, moral and social development is outstanding overall. The strong Christian ethos and church links permeate much of the school's work. Although some elements of cultural development are also outstanding, pupils' engagement with the ethnic and cultural diversity

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Grade: 1

of contemporary Britain is not as strong. Pupils contribute enthusiastically to the school community through the school council and many classroom 'jobs', and links with the wider community, particularly through the church, are very well developed. Pupils' outstanding personal qualities and good basic skills contribute strongly to their future well-being. However, they have few opportunities to engage in enterprise activities. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008

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Grade: 2

In spite of relatively high staff turnover, teaching is good, with much that is outstanding. Teachers motivate pupils well, leading to good achievement. Relationships are close and trusting, so that pupils feel able to try things out. The environment for learning is calm and well organised. Regular checks on pupils' progress ensure that staff are aware of what pupils need to do to move forward. Planning is thorough and has regard to the needs of identified groups of pupils. Most lessons have a brisk pace which moves learning on quickly. Occasionally, when the presentation is slow, pupils lose interest. The potential of the interactive whiteboard is not always fully realised. A strength of teaching is the focus on developing pupils' thinking skills. Teachers also encourage independence, giving even the youngest pupils good opportunities to record work independently. Teachers' marking is rigorous and shows pupils how they can

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Grade: 2

improve their work. Pupils are encouraged to evaluate the quality of their own work. In most lessons, teaching assistants support pupils with additional learning needs effectively.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum for Years 1 to 7 has many significant strengths. The effective teaching of literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills through other subjects enriches learning. Stimulating termly topics provide a good framework for learning. In addition, pupils have outstanding opportunities in music and physical education, often enhanced by the deployment of specialists. As a result, standards of singing are outstanding and pupils have well developed physical skills. Good use of ICT effectively extends pupils' learning. Provision for pupils who need additional support is well targeted on what they most need to learn. The exceptional range of extra-curricular activities, including three residential visits, is supported well by pupils and has a positive impact on their outstanding personal development and good academic progress.

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Grade: 1

Pastoral care is outstanding. More rigorous identification and effective support ensure that those with additional learning needs rapidly make up lost ground. The highly successful reading intervention programme in Years 4 and 5 was a response to needs identified through monitoring. Arrangements for safeguarding pupils are effective. Staff know individual pupils well and this close knowledge ensures that their welfare needs are met well, supported by very well-established links with external agencies. Academic guidance is outstanding. There is a well-embedded system of individual targets in literacy and numeracy, mostly generated through pupils' evaluation of what they need to do next. This is consistently implemented, apart from in Year 7, where there is some variability in practice. Pupils know their targets well and check their progress regularly. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008

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Grade: 2

The headteacher provides dedicated and effective leadership. She has built a cohesive team with a shared commitment to high standards, to the school's excellent ethos and to pupils' personal development. There is a clear vision for what the school needs to do to improve. The monitoring of teaching and of pupils' work is now thorough, although leaders were slow to identify underperformance in Year 5 last year. Subject leaders discharge their duties conscientiously. The school knows itself well. Self-evaluation is good. Effective systems for checking on pupils' progress ensure that staff are increasingly focused on improving pupils' learning. The governing body fulfils its responsibilities conscientiously. Governors are knowledgeable and challenge, as well as support, the school's leadership well. They closely monitor the effectiveness of provision and know the strengths and weaker aspects of the school

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Grade: 2

well. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 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: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 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? 2 The effectiveness of the Foundation Stage 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 2 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 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 2 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 2 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: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

18 June 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Broadwater C of E First and Middle School, Worthing, BN14 7TQ Thank you for making us welcome when we visited your school. We really enjoyed meeting you and also briefly sharing your assemblies and musical events. We found that yours is a good school, with several aspects which are outstanding.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The main things that we found are these:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Most of you behave outstandingly well in lessons.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Standards are above average generally, but well above average in Year 7.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teaching is mostly good, with some that is outstanding, and you generally make good progress. Those of you in Year 7 make outstanding progress. ■ The Foundation Stage is good and provides well for the youngest children.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school makes sure that you are cared for exceptionally well, and you are very aware of how important it is to eat healthily and take regular exercise. ■ The curriculum is outstanding, with an exceptional range of out-of-school activities.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Those in charge of the school make sure that it runs very smoothly.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We are asking the school to make these changes so that you do even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Develop the outside space near the Reception class so that it provides more learning opportunities for the youngest pupils.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Provide some opportunities for pupils to get experience of small business activities.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You can help by continuing to work hard and do your best. We hope that you will have every success in the future. Yours sincerely

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, 16 °17 June 2008

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