Cranmere Primary School

Cranmere Primary School Inspection report

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131125 Unique Reference Number Surrey Local Authority 315727 Inspection number 1 November 2007 Inspection date Derek Watts 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 4 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 201 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Joanna Willey Chair Mrs Gillian Freeman Headteacher 6 October 2003 Date of previous school inspection The Drive School address Esher KT10 8DJ 020 8398 5580 Telephone number 020 8398 9824 Fax number

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4-11 Age group 1 November 2007 Inspection date 315727 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 an Additional Inspector. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school, investigated and evaluated the following aspects: achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, teaching and learning, the curriculum, care guidance and support and leadership and management. The following areas emerged from the school's pre-inspection documentation as specific areas to be explored.

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Introduction

■ The factors contributing to the improved standards by the end of Year 2.

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Introduction

■ The action the school was taking to raise achievement in mathematics in Years 3 to 6.

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Description of the school

Cranmere is a smaller than average primary school. The vast majority of pupils come from White British backgrounds. The remainder come from a range of other ethnic backgrounds including other white backgrounds, Asian, Black African and Black Caribbean. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is average although there is a higher than average proportion of pupils with a statement of special educational needs. A few pupils speak English as an additional language but very few of these are at an early stage of learning English. The school's intake is varied with pupils coming from advantaged and disadvantaged socio economic circumstances. During the past two years, there have been significant changes to the teaching force including temporary cover for maternity leave. The staffing is now more settled.

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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: Cranmere Primary School, 1 November 2007

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Grade: 2

Cranmere Primary is a good school with outstanding aspects to its work. Pupils achieve well overall because of good teaching and a stimulating curriculum. Outstanding pastoral care and the very positive school climate leads to the outstanding personal development and well-being for pupils. The vast majority of parents hold positive views about the school and are pleased with both the care and education provided for their children. However, a few expressed concerns about the teacher changes over the past two years. Good leadership and management are key factors contributing to the school's effectiveness and success. The headteacher, senior staff and governors successfully promote effective educational provision and this gives rise to favourable outcomes for pupils. The headteacher provides strong leadership and is well supported by senior staff. The performance of the pupils and staff is systematically reviewed and the school uses the findings well to guide planning for

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Grade: 2

improvement and to set challenging targets. Due to staffing changes, the roles of some subject leaders are not as well developed and established. New leaders are receiving good training and support so they can contribute fully to evaluating and improving pupils' performance. The governing body, particularly the Chair, are actively involved in the life of the school. Governors are committed, supportive and have a good understanding of the school's performance. Accurate self-evaluation, improved attendance, improved provison in the Foundation Stage and rising standards by the end of Year 2, demonstrate the school's good capacity to improve further. Effective teaching enables pupils to make good progress across the school. Teachers' enthusiasm and imaginative use of resources inspires and motivates the pupils. As one pupil astutely commented, 'Teachers find interesting ways for us to learn.' The purpose of lessons is made

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Grade: 2

clear so that pupils know what they are expected to learn. Outstanding relationships have been established between teachers and their pupils. Teachers' instructions and explanations are clear and informative. Skilful questioning is used to challenge pupils' thinking and to check their understanding. Pupils are enthusiastic learners who respond well to their teachers. They work well collaboratively in pairs and in groups to discuss their work or to solve problems. Activities and tasks are well matched to pupils' abilities and needs. As a result, they are challenged well and make good gains in their learning. Teaching assistants are well deployed and make a valuable contribution to pupils' learning, particularly those with learning difficulties. Just occasionally, there is over use of worksheets which can impede pupils' ability to plan and organising their own work. Teachers and pupils use information and communication technology (ICT) well to

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Grade: 2

support lessons. For example, Year 6 pupils used ICT competently to consolidate their understanding of negative numbers and temperature. Standards are above average. Over the past two years, standards by the end of Year 2 have improved from the average levels of 2005. Standards were above average in 2006 and the most recent results of 2007 show that standards were well above average in reading, writing and mathematics. Good teaching, the successful implementation of writing initiatives and other improvements to the curriculum have accounted for these improvements. National tests results for Year 6 indicate that standards are consistently above average and that pupils make good progress through Years 3 to 6. However, in 2007, pupils made less progress in mathematics than they did in English and science. This lower than usual performance was swiftly identified by the school. Careful evaluation revealed that pupils were less effective in solving shape and

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Grade: 2

space problems. Positive action is being taken to tackle this. Planning and teaching in 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Cranmere Primary School, 1 November 2007 mathematics has been modified and more emphasis is being placed on shape and space. However, the changes are too recent to have a long term impact on achievement. An interesting and stimulating curriculum contributes very well to pupils' progress, enjoyment and to their personal development. There are good links between subjects which add meaning and relevance to pupils' learning. For example, in a Year 2 and Year 3 study about the seaside, art, literacy, design and technology, geography and history were successfully incorporated into the work that pupils experienced. This helped them to apply different skills and to investigate seaside holidays of the past. Provision for art is strong and the school has impressive displays of pupils' work are of a high standard across the school. A good range of additional activities

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Grade: 2

contributes to pupils' interests. Popular clubs include a music band, chess, football, dance, sudoku and kakuro. In Years 3 to 6 there are good opportunities for residential visits. Good care, guidance and support contribute significantly to pupils' academic and personal development. Pastoral care and support is outstanding. The school has established effective systems to assess and track pupils' attainment so teachers have a good overview of how well each pupil is doing. In most classes, pupils are set clear individual learning targets in English and mathematics so that pupils know what they are aiming for. However, this good practice is not consistent in all classes particularly for mathematics. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. A successful international week involving parents and the local community and an interesting partnership with a school in Uganda develops pupils'

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Grade: 2

understanding of different cultures. Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and this is reflected by their enthusiastic participation in lessons and other activities. The effective promotion of the school's 'five Rs' of reasoning, reflection, resilience, resourcefulness and responsibility, makes a valuable contribution to pupils' personal development. Pupils' are friendly, polite and show considerable care and respect for others. As pupils commented, 'We are all one happy family here.' The school works hard to monitor and promote good attendance. After the last inspection, attendance levels have improved from below average to above average. While attendance dipped last year, more recent data shows above average attendance again. High expectations by staff and outstanding relationships lead to behaviour which is often exemplary. Pupils show an excellent understanding of the importance of healthy eating, taking regular exercise and

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Grade: 2

keeping safe. Clubs such as 'Wake and shake' and running support pupils' healthy lifestyle. Pupils thrive on additional responsibilities such as being playground friends, mentors or eco monitors. Members of the school council take their responsibilities seriously, and have contributed to improving outdoor playground equipment. Pupils contribute very well to the local and wider community by raising funds for charities and their participation in the local community's Harvest Festival. Above average standards in literacy and numeracy by Year 6 and outstanding personal and social skills prepares pupils well for the future.

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Grade: 2

Children enter the Reception with knowledge and skills expected for their age. Provision for the Foundation Stage has improved well since the last inspection. Teaching and the curriculum are now good and so children settle quickly and get off to a good start. Teachers and assistants provide a good blend of direct teaching and allowing children to explore, work creatively and independently. Children are enthusiastic learners and make good progress in all areas of learning. The new staff team has settled well. They are building on the planning for the Foundation Stage curriculum and establishing effective partnerships with parents. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Cranmere Primary School, 1 November 2007

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure that teaching and the curriculum enables pupils to make at least good progress in mathematics from Year 3 to 6. ■ Establish a consistent approach in all classes to individual target setting so that all pupils know what they are aiming for, particularly in mathematics. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Cranmere Primary School, 1 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. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: Cranmere Primary School, 1 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? 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 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?

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: Cranmere Primary School, 1 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 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: Cranmere Primary School, 1 November 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

9 November 2007 Dear Pupils Inspection of Cranmere Primary School,Esher,KT10 8DJ Thank you so much for welcoming me into your school and showing me your work. I enjoyed the visit and would like to tell you what I have found. Cranmere is a good school with some outstanding features. This is a school you can be very proud of. These things are strengths of the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy school and take part in activities with great enthusiasm.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The school is a very friendly, caring and pleasant place to be.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Behaviour is outstanding in lessons and around the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Children in Reception get off to a good start.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Teaching is good, which is why you make such good progress.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You show an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles and keeping safe.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ An interesting range of learning activities are provided for you including clubs, residential visits and the international week. ■ The school is well led and managed by the headteacher and other senior staff.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You show considerable care and respect for other pupils and adults.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Staff know you very well; they take excellent care of you and give you good support.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your parents are pleased with the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

There are two areas that the school has been asked to improve.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Some of you in Years 3 to 6 could make better progress in mathematics and your teachers are working hard to make this happen. ■ Your teachers could make sure that all of you are set clear individual learning targets to help you make even more progress, especially in mathematics. Finally, thank you once again for all your help. I wish you all the best for the future. With kind regards, Derek Watts Lead Inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Cranmere Primary School, 1 November 2007

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