St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School

St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School Inspection report

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130883 Unique Reference Number Warwickshire Local Authority 315644 Inspection number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Paul Edwards 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 Voluntary controlled School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 238 School The governing body Appropriate authority Alison Farnell Chair Jerry Baily Headteacher 1 January 0001 Date of previous school inspection Webb Ellis Road School address Rugby CV22 7AU 01788 542610 Telephone number 01788 542610 Fax number

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3-11 Age group 12 December 2007 Inspection date 315644 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. The inspector investigated the following issues: achievement and standards in writing; the quality of teaching; broadening pupils’ multi-cultural awareness; and, the academic guidance provided to pupils. Evidence was gathered from national published assessment information, the school’s self-evaluation and its own assessment records, observation of the school at work, discussions with staff, governors and pupils and an analysis of 47 parent questionnaires and comments. Other aspects of the school’s work were not examined in detail, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest that the school’s own assessments, as recorded in its self-evaluation form, were not justified and, where appropriate, these have been included in this report.

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Description of the school

While the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is similar to that seen nationally, the number is increasing quite quickly, with many starting the school later in the year. An acting headteacher was covering the maternity leave of the headteacher during the inspection and a new deputy headteacher is to take up her position in January 2008.

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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: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 2007

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Grade: 2

The school provides a good standard of education for its pupils and this judgement matches the school's own view of its effectiveness. Through a period of some turbulence in the leadership of the school, the school has maintained its good work. This has been achieved through having clear structures in place that have enabled the incoming leadership to take over with little disruption. The pupils' good attendance is a reflection of their enjoyment of school. Pupils say they enjoy school 'because there are lots of interesting things to do and teachers make lessons fun'. The overwhelming majority of parents have very positive views about the quality of education provided. The comments of one parent were typical when remarking, 'I am so pleased I chose the school because my children are so happy and doing so well.' Pupils achieve well throughout the school and, by the end of Year 6, attain standards that are

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Grade: 2

above average in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science. Over the past four years, standards have been consistently well above average and, while national test results were not as good in 2007, the pupils make good progress from their below average starting points. However, the school has rightly recognised the need to accelerate pupils' progress in writing throughout the school, particularly in Years 1 and 2. Children enter the school with skills that are below those seen nationally, particularly in communication, language and literacy. Whilst they get a good start in the Nursery, writing skills have not progressed as quickly as they should in Years 1 and 2. However, through the improved use of information about pupils' progress to set even more precisely tailored work in lessons, the school is addressing this issue well. Teaching and learning are good because there are high expectations of pupils' work and

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Grade: 2

behaviour. In the Nursery, children are provided with a good range of learning experiences that help them to settle well and to develop good independence. While teaching is good overall, there are examples of outstanding teaching. Teachers generally make good use of the wealth of assessment information to plan lessons for pupils of different abilities. In the best lessons, very good use is made of different stimuli to motivate pupils. For example, in a very good Year 3 lesson, the teacher produced 'real snow', providing a good foundation for the pupils' poems on snow and winter. Occasionally, a small number of pupils do not do as well as they should in writing because a few teachers place an over reliance on worksheets. This inhibits the opportunities for pupils to write at length and there are limited opportunities for pupils to practise writing skills in other subjects. Whilst the pupils' work is marked regularly, occasionally

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Grade: 2

it does not identify how individuals might improve their work. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are well supported, with teaching assistants supporting those where the need is greatest and where they can have the most impact. Many parents commented on the good quality of support for these pupils. Pupils are well looked after in all aspects of school life. They are happy, feel safe and are at ease in approaching staff should they have a problem. Those pupils new to the school and the increasing number of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds are well supported, enabling them to settle quickly to school life. Procedures to look after pupils and to keep them safe are well developed and safeguarding measures are rigorous and robust. The school has good procedures for tracking how well the pupils are performing. This information is used systematically to identify where pupils are not doing as well as they should and to identify

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Grade: 2

where additional support needs to be targeted. The school's investment in training is enabling it to provide good support for teachers to accelerate the pupils' progress in writing. All pupils have targets and most know what they are. However, the school recognises these targets are 4 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 2007 not referenced as effectively as they could be when teachers mark work, to ensure that pupils know how to improve. Pupils' personal development and well-being are good. Pupils particularly enjoy taking part in the good range of sporting and physical activities during lunchtimes and after school. This participation, together with their good awareness of eating well and how to keep safe, helps them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The staff in the Nursery work hard to develop the children's independence and this good foundation enables pupils to make particularly good progress in

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Grade: 2

this aspect throughout the school. Older pupils are keen to talk about the opportunities they have to act as buddies to younger pupils, the 'friendship stop', and how their involvement on the school council has led to improvements to the play areas. Pupils acquire many good skills that will serve them well in later life. For example, their organisation of fund raising activities during the Christmas Fayre and their involvement in the interview process for a new headteacher and deputy. Their literacy and numeracy skills and good social skills prepare them well for the future. The school works hard to raise pupils' awareness of life in a multi-cultural society. It is becoming usefully involved in a local scheme to enable pupils to become more aware of the increasingly diverse range of cultures within the community. Governors have become much more involved in school, enabling them to keep a close check

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Grade: 2

on the progress being made. Regular discussions take place with senior staff and subject leaders, providing governors with an opportunity to challenge the school to improve further. The leadership is providing a good steer and, in the absence of the substantive headteacher, the acting headteacher is providing good, experienced leadership. There are good self assessment systems in place that are based securely on the monitoring of pupils' progress, regular checks on the quality of teaching and learning, and support to rectify weaknesses. The leadership team knows exactly where the strengths in teaching and learning lie and this is helping it to disseminate good practice. The school has also recognised the importance of ensuring all staff take responsibility for raising standards and is working hard to enable this to happen. The school has good capacity for further improvement.

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Grade: 1

Provision in the Foundation Stage is good. Children make a very good start in the Nursery because staff have a strong understanding of the developmental needs of young children. Home visits by the staff ensure children are well prepared for starting school, enabling them to settle quickly into school routines. Good emphasis is placed on developing the children's basic skills, but there is also plenty of opportunity to widen their experiences through physical and creative activities. The children's confidence improves through well structured opportunities for developing language skills. For example, children love being able to use the microphone when taking part in singing activities. Good progress is maintained throughout the Reception class, although a significant minority do not attain the levels expected for their age on entry to Year 1, particularly in communication, language and literacy. The opportunity for outdoor

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Grade: 1

play activity is inhibited in inclement weather due to the limited space available. The school is rightly considering how this space can be improved.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in writing, particularly in Years 1 and 2, by providing pupils with more opportunities to write at length and give them more opportunities to write extensively in different subject areas. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 2007 ■ Ensure the marking of pupils' work is more closely linked to the pupils' individual targets. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 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. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 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 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?

2 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 The extent to which learners adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which learners adopt safe practices 2 How well learners enjoy their education 2 The attendance of learners 2 The behaviour of learners 2 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. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 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 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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

12 December 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Matthew's Bloxam C of E Primary School, Rugby, VV22 7AU Thank you all very much for the warm welcome you gave me when I visited your school recently. Your school is providing a good education for you and I am pleased you enjoy your work. These are some of the best things about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The good progress you make in your learning so that you do well in the national tests at the end of Year 6. ? ■ Your good behaviour and enjoyment of lessons and other activities. ?

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The good range of activities that you all undertake. ?

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your efforts to keep fit and well through taking part in sport and by eating healthily. ?

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The good teaching and support you get from adults in the school. ?

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The way staff care for and look after you.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

This is what the school needs to do to make it even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Help all of you, particularly some of the younger pupils, to make better progress with your writing. ? ■ Help the teachers to make better use of marking so that it helps you to reach your targets.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You can do your bit to help by really trying hard with your writing. I wish you all the best for the future. Thank you again for helping me with my work. Yours sincerely Paul Edwards Lead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: St Matthew's Bloxam CofE Primary School, 12 December 2007

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