Wroughton Infant School

Wroughton Infant School Inspection report

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126237 Unique Reference Number Swindon Local Authority 315453 Inspection number 17 September 2008 Inspection date Michael Burghart 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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Infant Type of school Community School category 4–7 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 224 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 S Fletcher / M Cameron Chair Susan Pagett Headteacher 27 June 2005 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Wharf Road School address Wroughton Swindon SN4 9LE 01793 812340 Telephone number 01793 814676 Fax number

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4–7 Age group 17 September 2008 Inspection date 315453 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. 2 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. Inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and, in doing so, investigated the following issues: the reasons for the school's success in maintaining well above average standards in writing and why reading and mathematics were relatively less successful in 2007; the quality of leadership and management with particular reference to the contribution of middle managers; the accuracy of the school's self-evaluation. In addition to a range of observations throughout the school day, discussions took place with the headteacher, staff, governors and pupils. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspection found no evidence to suggest that the school's own views, as given in its self-evaluation form, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

This is an average-sized infant school. Most pupils are of White British heritage, but a very small proportion are from minority ethnic backgrounds. All pupils have English as their first language. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below average. About ten pupils come to school by bus from an estate on a disused airbase and four children are from Traveller families. Children begin school in September in the year in which they are five, initially for mornings only. They start in one of the three parallel Reception classes which form part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This year group is referred to as FS2 by the school. The overwhelming majority of pupils have attended some kind of pre-school setting, many at the private group which meets on the school site. A private provider manages an after-school club in the hall and this is also available to pupils

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Description of the school

from the junior school. A small group of pupils attend a breakfast club run at the junior school about a mile away.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding infant school where children are given an excellent start to their education. This momentum begins in Reception (FS2), because provision is first rate, and continues throughout Years 1 and 2. The school very successfully encourages pupils' personal as well as academic development. It makes sure everyone is safe and extremely well cared for. It is no wonder pupils are happy, know how to stay healthy, and are well prepared for the future. Parents clearly recognise that at Wroughton every child matters. They are extremely positive about the school. 'A lovely school for children and parents!' 'I can't speak highly enough of the caring, friendly atmosphere.' 'My child makes progress in leaps and bounds.' These are all typical comments. Pupils make outstanding progress from average starting points. Following a slightly less successful year in 2007, standards are once again well above average. There is notable strength

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Grade: 1

in writing where over a third of pupils achieved the higher level, Level 3, in 2008 national assessments. The school's determined emphasis on numeracy skills and on raising standards of boys' reading is paying dividends, reflected in much improved results. Concentrating on pupils' speaking and listening skills, increasing opportunities for role play, and developing the use of literacy across the curriculum have made learning to read and write more relevant and enjoyable. The introduction of ability groupings for mathematics is having a very positive impact on standards. Pupils of all backgrounds and abilities achieve particularly well, but the performance of more able pupils and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities deserves a special mention. Good provision for those from Traveller families ensures that such pupils make good progress when they are in school. Staff very carefully assess and track pupils' progress and use this information to set targets

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Grade: 1

both for individuals and the school as a whole. Procedures and evaluation have been recognised as exemplary by the local authority and underpin pupils' learning. Teachers' skilful use of learning objectives, made clear to pupils at the start of lessons and referred back to at the end, keeps everyone aware of what has been achieved session by session. Teachers are very successful at making learning fun whilst at the same time ensuring that the curriculum is covered in full. Welly walks, singing rhymes about monkeys in a tree, and learning about relationships by focusing on family members are all very good examples of enrichment. ('Don't forget my dog!' was one boy's much enjoyed remark.) The recent drives to improve the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and develop provision for physical education are having very positive effects. Staff make excellent use of the well-equipped school grounds as the 'outside

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Grade: 1

classroom'. Work is very well planned and the very strong partnership between teachers, teaching assistants, senior managers, governors and parents is the basis of excellent teamwork. With two members of staff in only the first two weeks of their careers, it is not yet possible to judge teaching overall as outstanding. Nevertheless, there are very positive signs and there are examples of high quality teaching throughout the school. Parental concerns about the move to mixed age classes, which was the result of lower numbers in the Years 1 and 2 year groups, are not justified. Teachers manage learning very well. Pupils continue to make significant academic progress and do well in terms of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils respond extremely well to high quality care, guidance and support. Senior managers were too modest in their evaluation of such provision. Expectations are high and pupils are

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Grade: 1

well challenged. Consequently, they work hard and behaviour is outstanding. All pupils know that they can trust staff and, as a result, grow in confidence, not afraid to make mistakes and 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008 learn from them. Pupils work and play well together. They show a developing independence and, for many, a maturity beyond their years. The school and eco councils give pupils excellent opportunities to influence the way the school community is run. Pupils obviously care about the environment and, even at these young ages, show they are prepared to take on responsibility. The school has clear educational direction. The leadership and management of the headteacher and senior managers are outstanding. Their vision for the school is very well communicated and is constantly evaluated in terms of the impact that provision has on pupils' achievement and standards. Middle managers and subject coordinators play a good part in the way the school

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Grade: 1

is run, but they have not been sufficiently involved in analysing and evaluating whole-school data. Further developing their roles already forms part of the school's improvement plan. Despite being overcautious in its bottom line judgements submitted to Ofsted, the school can prove it knows its strengths and relative weaknesses extremely well. Its self-evaluation is especially effective in prompting improvements. There are excellent links with parents and outside agencies and good, recently established, detailed planning to promote community cohesion. Higher standards in ICT and science, as a result of better resourcing and planning, are fine examples of the school's very positive track record. Outstanding governance ensures that the school is very well supported, that strategic management makes very effective use of finance, and that staff are constructively challenged in ways which hold them to account for

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Grade: 1

the school's performance. Wroughton Infant School's capacity to consolidate its many strengths and go even further forward is outstanding.

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Grade: 1

Children really flourish in the EYFS because they are extremely well cared for and successfully introduced to school life. You can feel the anticipation as children rush into school in the morning and you can appreciate the planning and preparation that greets them. There is a very healthy commitment to learning through play and hands-on activity. High quality teaching and support ensure that everything is fun and that everything has a purpose. Staff are exceptionally good at finding out what children are capable of and recording how well they are doing before using this information to plan the next steps. Outstanding relationships are at the heart of what is on offer. No wonder children are happy and eager to learn and parents are very pleased with the start their children make. There were lots of positive comments to inspectors noting how confidently children had settled in after only one week at the school and how friendly and

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Grade: 1

approachable staff are. Links with parents are excellent. Children make splendid progress. Most start Year 1 having exceeded the goals expected of this age in nearly all areas of learning. In problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, progress is good rather than excellent, but nevertheless children still reach the expected goals. By the end of FS2, they are emerging as readers and writers with a good grasp of early literacy skills and are growing in confidence and independence. Teaching is outstanding. Staff make constant efforts to get children to communicate and express their feelings. Children are well challenged and become thoroughly absorbed in new experiences. Behaviour is excellent. Provision is led and managed most effectively. Staff and resources are deployed well, with the result that children of all abilities and backgrounds are given excellent support. The environment is stimulating and exciting both indoors and out. The 'creepy crawly' themed corners and

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Grade: 1

well-designed role play areas are very popular. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Develop the role of middle managers, involving them more effectively in monitoring and evaluating the school's performance. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 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: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 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? 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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EYFS?

1 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 1 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 1 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 1 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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Achievement and standards

1 How well do learners achieve? 1 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/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: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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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 The extent to which 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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learners' needs?

How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 1 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 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 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: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

18 September 2008 Dear Children Inspection of Wroughton Infant School, Swindon SN4 9LE This may be a little difficult for some of you to read but I am sure your teachers will help you! We really enjoyed our visit to your school. It is what adults call 'outstanding'. This means it is a smashing place where adults take great care of you and very successfully help you to learn. It is obvious that you all enjoy school. Here are some of the things that make Wroughton Infant special.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make outstanding progress and do very well in reading, maths and, especially, in writing.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your behaviour is excellent and you are keen to work hard.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You get off to an excellent start in Red, Blue and Yellow classes and make the most of this in Years 1 and 2. ■ The school is particularly well run. Adults make sure you are safe.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers and teaching assistants are good at their jobs and try hard to make work fun. They are very good at finding out how well you are doing and planning what to do next. ■ You are being well prepared for the junior school and are growing up as sensible children.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

The senior teachers and the governors are very, very good at finding ways of making the school even better. We have suggested that giving other staff more chance to join in would be a good idea. Thank you for your warm welcome. Keep up the good work! Yours sincerely Mike Burghart Lead Inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Wroughton Infant School, 17 September 2008

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