Latchford St James CofE Primary School

Latchford CofE Primary School Inspection report

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132247 Unique Reference Number Warrington Local Authority 315989 Inspection number 4 October 2007 Inspection date Paul Bamber 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 aided School category 3 °11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 191 School The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Brenda Hynes Chair Mrs Jacqueline Wightman Headteacher 31 March 2003 Date of previous school inspection Old Road School address Warrington Cheshire WA4 1AP 01925 634967 Telephone number 01925 231706 Fax number

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3-11 Age group 4 October 2007 Inspection date 315989 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 evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: achievement and standards; personal development and well-being; teaching and learning; curriculum; care, guidance and support; and leadership and management. Evidence was gathered from lesson observations, the analysis of pupils' work and of assessment data and other documents. In addition, discussions were held with pupils, parents, the chair of governors and key staff. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspector found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

This average-sized school serves an urban area, characterised by a mixture of housing association properties and first time buyer private houses. There is a higher than average proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The proportion of pupils entitled to a free school meal is around the average. Although the percentage of pupils who use English as an additional language is slightly lower than average, the proportion has doubled over the last year. There are several looked after children. The number of pupils joining or leaving the school other than into the Nursery or out of Year 6 is quite a bit higher than normal. The school has a national Healthy School's Award.

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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: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 2007

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. Within the overall good quality of leadership and management, the clear vision and very high expectations of the outstanding headteacher have ensured that there have been good improvements in most aspects since the last inspection. In that time, the introduction of rigorous checks on pupils' progress has enabled the staff to much more clearly identify gaps in pupils' learning and to subsequently provide telling interventions and extra support for those at risk of falling behind. As a result, standards have risen, particularly in Key Stage 2 and pupils achieve well. In this key stage, pupils' progress has been outstanding over the last four years, particularly in Years 5 and 6. Overall standards in Year 6 are now above average and, in science, very high. An example of effective management has been in the way in which Year 6 girls' performance has improved in science. Previously boys performed better than girls. The school

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Grade: 2

acted to alter this by teaching more practical science and invited female scientists into the school to inspire the girls. As a result, in the 2007 national tests in science all girls achieved highly. Despite introducing strategies to improve the quality of pupils' writing, especially that of boys, this area of pupils' achievement has improved least since the last inspection. Pupils' spelling and punctuation are the weakest aspects of their writing. Attainment in writing still lags behind their fluent reading. Where the school's work is excellent is in promoting pupils' outstanding personal development through ensuring a superb level of care and support for them all, but particularly for those who are most vulnerable. A typical comment from parents is, 'I have no doubt that our daughter is safe and well cared for. The teachers have been fantastic with her and know her very well, which we find impressive in a class of 30.'

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Grade: 2

Through their good behaviour, their open, friendly manner and very positive attitudes to their work, pupils are effective learners and concerned young citizens. Because they are given many opportunities to care for each other, to take responsibility and to widen their horizons through a rich curriculum, pupils understand how to contribute well to their own and the local community. A well planned and taught programme to promote pupils' health and well-being results in them eating healthily and enjoying the benefits of plenty of exercise. The employment of a specialist dance and keep fit instructor enhances this aspect of pupils' learning and is an example of the good value for money the school gains from its deployment of staff. In the same way, the use of a specialist teacher has strikingly improved pupils' achievements in music, especially in appreciating and performing a whole range of different types of music. Their access to the

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Grade: 2

instruments and music of various ethnic groups promotes their cultural awareness very well. Teaching is of good overall quality which promotes pupils' good progress. There is some outstanding teaching in Year 2 and in Year 6. In a Year 6 lesson, for example, pupils used their knowledge of the plot of A Midsummer Night's Dream to predict how the characters would respond to certain events. They then responded extremely well to the teacher's excellent illustration of 'archaic' language to produce a play-script that reflected the style of Shakespeare. In some classes, teachers' marking of pupils' work does not make it crystal clear how they can improve their work. The school has established very close and positive links with a range of outside agencies and providers. These have greatly enhanced the provision for and the achievements of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, those who use English as an additional language and

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Grade: 2

those who have emotional problems. Well qualified and efficiently deployed support staff also 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 2007 make a valuable contribution to these pupils' personal and academic development. Parents are close partners and are particularly effective in supporting their children's reading. They also appreciate the opportunities to learn Spanish alongside their children at an after-school club. The school has experienced a two year period of turbulence in its leadership team. During this time the headteacher almost single-handedly led and managed the school with effective support from class teachers and capable and supportive governors. A new team is now in place but its members are still developing their skills, especially the middle managers' ability to set measurable priorities for improvement. The many improvements achieved in pupils' standards and

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Grade: 2

achievements, in the quality of teaching and assessment, and in the school's environment are a testament to the unwavering determination of the headteacher to implement change. This improvement, together with the potential evident in the leadership team, means the school has good capacity to improve further.

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Grade: 2

Different groups of children enter the Nursery with skills that differ from year to year, but are always below or well below those expected for their age. In the Nursery and Reception they are taught and supported well. Together with rigorous assessment, this results in children's needs being met well, enabling them to make good progress overall. However, many still enter Year 1 not reaching the goals set for them nationally in their use of language, literacy skills and in their mathematical development. These are always the weakest areas of their skills on entry to the Nursery. They do best in their personal, social, emotional and physical development. These aspects are very strong because adults care so well for the children, ensuring that they settle quickly into routines and as a result of the stimulating and well equipped outside classroom. Parents speak very highly of the provision in the Foundation Stage and rightly

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Grade: 2

believe that their children have a very good start to their schooling. The comment, 'We feel our daughter has settled very well into Nursery due to the care and attention she receives from her teachers. Her progress in many areas is unbelievable in such a short time,' sums up the feelings of many parents.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in writing throughout the school, especially those of boys, and with a particular emphasis on improving pupils' spelling and punctuation. ■ Ensure that all teachers mark pupils' work in such a way that makes it very clear to pupils what they need to do to improve. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 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: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 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 2 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: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 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 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: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 2007

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

I would like to thank you for the polite and friendly way in which you welcomed me when I visited your school recently. You go to a good school, do well in your lessons and make excellent progress in Years 3 to 6. You were keen to tell me how much you enjoy lessons in which you act things out or investigate problems in mathematics and science. These are some of the ways you are taught which help you to learn really well. You obviously appreciate the visits you make and the visitors who come into school to help you with your work. Your music and dance teachers certainly help your different skills in these subjects. The many after-school clubs you attend also help you to become fitter and to develop new interests. Your headteacher is running the school really well and knows what to do to make the school improve even more. I have asked her and the governors to do two things to help make the school even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ To make sure that your writing improves, especially your spelling and punctuation. This is most important for the boys. ■ To encourage all your teachers to tell you exactly what you need to do to improve when they mark your work. You can also help to improve the school by always trying your very best and working really hard. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Latchford CofE Primary School, 4 October 2007

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