English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Primary School

English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School Inspection report

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100824 Unique Reference Number Southwark Local Authority 323355 Inspection number 5–6 May 2009 Inspection dates Natalia Power 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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Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 3–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 429 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 Mrs Margaret Uhure Chair Mrs Anne Boyd Headteacher 4 May 2006 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Flint Street School address London SE17 1QD 020 7703 4726 Telephone number 020 7277 1743 Fax number

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3–11 Age group 5–6 May 2009 Inspection dates 323355 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 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by three Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

This two-form-entry school is larger than average. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is above the national average. Most pupils are from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds, with pupils from Black African heritages forming the largest group. Around nine out of ten have first languages other than English, most commonly Yoruba and Spanish. A higher than average proportion of pupils have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Of these, pupils with speech, language and communication difficulties form the largest group.

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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: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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Grade: 2

This is a good school in which pupils from all backgrounds thrive because of the high quality of care provided for each individual. Parents strongly support the school. One commented, 'I cannot ask for more.' Another said, 'The school is well organised and has good teachers. It is a good environment for a child.' In turn, the school supports parents well, for instance by working closely with them to ensure that Year 6 pupils go to the secondary schools that most closely match their needs. The school has excellent links not only with parents but also with a wide range of external agencies to promote pupils' learning and well-being. Children make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage from starting points in language and social skills which are well below those expected for their age. Those at an early stage of learning English receive good support and make good progress. Pupils in Years 1 and

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Grade: 2

2 are happy and secure, and continue to develop good personal qualities. However, their reading, writing and mathematical skills are well below average. Sometimes pupils are given too many worksheets to complete in lessons and too few opportunities to write independently and gain fluency. Pupils' progress improves in Years 3 to 6, and pupils leave with standards in English, mathematics and science which fluctuate from year to year but which are generally below average. Pupils from all ethnic backgrounds, those for whom English is not their first language, and those with learning difficulties, are well supported and make progress in line with others. From their starting points, pupils make good progress overall. Pupils enjoy learning, and this is reflected in their good attendance. They develop good personal qualities. The school's core values - faith, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and

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Grade: 2

wisdom - are known and understood by each pupil, and this is reflected in the consideration and respect they show to one another. They behave well in lessons and around the school. In this safe and supportive environment, pupils thrive and grow in confidence. Adults care for their individual needs very well. Pupils are given good opportunities to evaluate their learning and set their own targets for the coming term. However, due to inconsistency in marking, they do not always know how to improve the quality of their work from day to day. Though many teachers mark pupils' work carefully, offering guidance on how they can improve, this is not always the case and the school recognises the need to ensure that all work is marked consistently. The school's leadership is good, and the headteacher and her deputy work in close collaboration to raise standards and ensure the good personal development and care of pupils. The relatively

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Grade: 2

new team of curriculum leaders is growing in confidence, but does not contribute sufficiently to raising standards or participate fully in the school's planning. Standards by the end of Year 6 are higher than they were at the time of the last inspection, teaching is stronger and planning for the future is clear and focused on raising standards. These improvements indicate that the school has a good capacity for further improvement.

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Grade: 2

Children enter the Early Years Foundation Stage with social and language skills well below those expected for their age. Close partnerships with parents are maintained through regular progress meetings and the use of 'special books' linking home and school. Children's progress is regularly assessed and this information is used successfully to plan for them and to support their individual needs. As a result, children make good progress and in many areas reach expected 4 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009 levels by the end of the Reception Year. However, attainment remains below the expected level in communication, language and literacy, and tasks to encourage children to write are not always sufficiently stimulating. Adults promote children's welfare well. They provide firm but kind support and as a result children develop good social and emotional skills. There is a good balance of child-initiated

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Grade: 2

and teacher-led activities. Activities take good account of the children's own interests and nurture their sense of wonder at the world around them. Good leadership and management by the Early Years Foundation Stage leader ensure consistent quality across Nursery and Reception classes.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Raise standards in reading, writing and mathematics in Years 1 and 2 by raising the quality of teaching, so that it is consistently good or better. ■ Develop the curriculum leaders' roles to give them more opportunity to contribute to school improvement. ■ Ensure that all marking is of the quality of the best.

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Grade: 2

Pupils from all ethnic backgrounds make good overall progress from starting points which are well below the average for their age. By the time they leave, they reach standards somewhat closer to the average, though generally still below it. Pupils make most rapid progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and in Years 3 to 6, where teaching and the curriculum are strongest. Pupils' progress is carefully tracked and those in danger of falling behind are given effective support from teachers, well-trained classroom assistants and outside agencies to help them catch up. As a result, standards in mathematics and science have risen since the time of the last inspection. The school diagnoses and caters effectively for the needs of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, for instance by providing specialist help for pupils with speech, language and communication difficulties. Pupils at an early stage of learning English

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Grade: 2

are supported well, and make good progress in line with others.

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Grade: 2

Pupils like coming to school and particularly enjoy opportunities to play and work together, for example by taking part in team sports. Their attitudes to learning are good and they work hard in lessons. Pupils respond well to the strong Christian values that the school promotes. One pupil remarked, 'There is a strong spiritual ethos in our school' and this is reflected in their good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils have a good understanding of the need for rules. They are polite and respectful. Behaviour is good and effective support is provided for the small minority of pupils who find it difficult to manage their behaviour. Relationships are good and there are few incidences of bullying or racism. This creates a friendly and caring community where pupils feel safe. The participation of many pupils in the arts makes a considerable contribution to their cultural development, but they do not always have enough

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Grade: 2

opportunities to learn more about others from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Pupils make a good contribution to the community as members of the school council and play leaders, and take on many other responsibilities around the school. They adopt healthy lifestyles 5 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009 and show a good understanding of the importance of a healthy diet and taking regular exercise. They are prepared well for the next stage of their education.

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Grade: 2

Rigorous monitoring has successfully raised the quality of teaching and learning since the last inspection. Generally teaching is good, although in Years 1 and 2 teaching is less often good and more often only satisfactory than in other years. Teachers plan thoroughly, taking good account of pupils' prior learning. They give careful thought to making teaching activities imaginative and inspiring. Work is matched well to the full range of pupils' ability, and teaching assistants provide very effective additional support. However, marking is inconsistent from class to class, and does not always show the pupils clearly how to improve the quality of their written work. Pupils display positive attitudes to their learning and enjoy working together. They are encouraged to discuss their work in pairs, and this helps them to develop good speaking and listening skills.

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Grade: 2

The school offers an exciting and varied curriculum, providing good opportunities for pupils to develop artistic and musical skills. The emphasis on core skills enables pupils to make good progress in literacy, numeracy and science. These skills are celebrated through the high-quality displays of pupils' work. However, sometimes pupils are expected to complete too many worksheets, and this limits their fluency in writing. Information and communication technology is used effectively to promote learning across the curriculum. Enrichment of the curriculum is a strength. Work in class is greatly enhanced by trips and visits to a wide range of places of interest. There is a stimulating range of well-attended extra-curricular activities.

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Grade: 2

Pupils from all backgrounds thrive as a result of the high-quality care and support that they receive. Procedures for ensuring the safeguarding of pupils are rigorous. Risk assessments are thorough and are regularly carried out for activities within and outside the school. Vulnerable pupils are very well cared for. The needs of pupils who have difficulties with their learning or behaviour are carefully identified. They are skilfully supported by staff and special programmes of work matched to their needs. As a result they make good progress. Support for pupils who speak English as an additional language is good, particularly for new entrants with little or no English. Pupils are well informed about how much progress they are making each term through learning conferences with teachers and parents. However, because the quality of marking is variable, some pupils are less well informed about the detailed steps they should take to improve

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Grade: 2

their work. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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Grade: 2

The headteacher and her deputy have created a happy school, which, in the words of one governor, 'values all children and members of staff'. Leaders make a strong contribution to raising achievement. Their clear and systematic monitoring of teaching and learning since the last inspection has improved its overall quality. Their development plan is based on good self-evaluation and is sharply focused on raising standards further. The curriculum leaders are enthusiastic and committed, but do not have sufficient opportunities to meet and share ideas for improving the school. Governors provide effective support and are ready to hold the school to account. The school promotes community cohesion well, engaging with the diverse local community and encouraging pupils to understand the world beyond the school. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009 .

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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: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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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? 2 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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EYFS?

2 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 2 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 2 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 2 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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Achievement and standards

2 How well do learners achieve? 3 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/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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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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 The extent to which 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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learners' needs?

How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the range of needs and interests of learners? 2 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 2 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 2 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? 10 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

19 May 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School,London,SE17 1QD We all really enjoyed visiting your school recently, and we shall not forget how friendly and cheerful you were, holding doors open for us and greeting us warmly. What impressed us most was how well you understand the school's values of faith, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and wisdom. You know that these values lead to your school being a happy and harmonious place, where each of you is important. In turn, you repay your school's trust in you by being kind and respectful towards one another. We enjoyed seeing you play together nicely and we noticed how well you behave in class. We also like the way most of you attend school regularly and punctually. The adults work hard and look after you really well. They teach you well and give you an exciting curriculum with many opportunities for you to learn an instrument, create wonderful wall

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

displays and perform to parents. We have asked them to make sure that all of you learn as well as possible, especially those of you in Years 1 and 2. We have also asked your teachers to mark your work even more carefully than they already do, to help you to continue making good progress. The adults have promised to do this, and some of them will soon be having extra meetings and planning how best to help you. In the meantime you can play your part in helping your school to become even better by trying to live up to the school's values, and continuing to work hard. We wish you well in the future. Yours faithfully Natalia Power Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 5–6 May 2009

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