St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Beckenham

St Mary's Catholic Primary School Inspection report

p.1

101662 Unique Reference Number Bromley Local Authority 323504 Inspection number 23 September 2008 Inspection date David Whatson Reporting inspector

p.1

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.

p.1

Primary Type of school Voluntary aided School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 429 School (total) 61 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 Elizabeth Jones Chair Mrs Isobel Vassallo Headteacher 12 September 2005 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Westgate Road School address Beckenham BR3 5DE 020 8650 2355 Telephone number 020 8663 4845 Fax number

p.1

4–11 Age group 23 September 2008 Inspection date 323504 Inspection number .

p.1

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.

p.2

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: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.2

Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. They evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and the Early Years Foundation Stage, and investigated the following issues:

p.3

Introduction

■ How much progress have boys and the more able made in writing in the last year compared to the previous year? ■ The quality of teaching and its impact on pupils' progress?

p.3

Introduction

■ The effectiveness of leaders and managers at all levels at sustaining improvements in standards and progress. The inspectors gathered evidence from performance data, observations of teaching and the work produced by pupils, 129 parents' questionnaires and discussions with pupils, representatives of the governing body, and some members of staff also contributed to the judgements. 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 assessments, as given it its self-evaluation, were not justified and these have been included in this report.

p.3

Description of the school

St Mary's is larger than most primary schools. All the pupils that attend this oversubscribed school are Catholics. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) comprises two Reception classes. Very few pupils take free school meals. The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds and nearly all speak English as their first language. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD) is broadly average. Most of these pupils have either specific learning difficulties or autism. There are fewer pupils with statements of special educational needs than found nationally. The school has received the Challenge Award, the Artsmark and has Healthy School status.

p.3

Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.3

Grade: 2

St Mary's is a good school and pupils achieve well as a result of the good provision. In one of the many ringing endorsements, one parent wrote, 'St Mary's is a happy, loving and caring school. High Standards and expectations are a strength.' Another wrote, 'The Catholic ethos of the school promotes a great sense of community which involves all the family, resulting in great friendships.' This very strong sense of community underpins the outstanding care, guidance and support and contributes significantly to pupils' excellent personal development. Teaching and learning are good and sometimes outstanding. This is also the pattern in national assessments at the end of Year 2 and tests at the end of Year 6. Standards are generally above average but peaked in 2008 to be exceptionally high. In particular, standards in reading, writing and mathematics in Year 2 have been steadily rising. At Key Stage 2, there is variation between

p.4

Grade: 2

year groups and between subjects. In 2008, pupils' attainment was exceptionally high in English and mathematics but not in science. In English, pupils' performance in reading across the school has been particularly impressive. However, the school has correctly identified that this is not matched by pupils' performance in writing, especially by boys and the most able. The school's own monitoring shows weaknesses in the pupils' writing and quality of presentation and that pupils currently in Year 6 are on track to obtain above average standards again but not quite the heights of 2008. Pupils are usually very enthusiastic in lessons. Many of the strengths in teaching, accurately identified by the headteacher, were evident during the inspection. For instance, lessons are well planned and teachers are often good at providing activities that excite and interest their pupils. Many have high expectations of what their pupils can achieve. Teaching assistants make

p.4

Grade: 2

a valuable contribution to pupils' learning, especially when working with groups. Teachers are very good role models. Throughout a lesson, they make repeated references to the lesson's objective and this helps pupils maintain their focus. Occasionally pupils' enthusiasm wanes and the pace of the lessons is slow, when teachers spend too long talking and do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to explain their thinking and knowledge. The headteacher is working hard to increase the proportion of excellent teaching. The quality of marking is improving but it is not yet consistent or precise enough, especially in writing, for pupils to know exactly what they must do to improve. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. Their behaviour is excellent, and they are especially considerate towards one another, saying they feel free from bullying and harassment. One pupil said, 'friendship and caring are very important - you don't then feel

p.4

Grade: 2

sad or lonely here'. Pupils really love school and their attendance is excellent. Pupils not only have an exceptional understanding of the need to stay healthy (as one pupil put it, 'It helps you learn'), but also how to stay healthy through exercise, sport and healthy eating. Through the effective implementation of the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning programme (SEAL), and additional support for the more vulnerable, pupils have a thorough understanding of how to keep safe and be happy. Pupils are given a very good grounding in citizenship. They are closely involved with the local community and readily accept school-based responsibilities such as tending the school's allotment and being representatives on the influential school council. Pupils' understanding of different faiths and cultures is developing. Since the last inspection the school has attempted to diversify its curriculum with some success. For instance,

p.4

Grade: 2

they are establishing contacts with a school in Paris and pupils have studied Hinduism and 4 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008 Judaism. However, there are too few opportunities for pupils to gain a broader view of life in different parts of this country. There is outstanding care, guidance and support of pupils. Procedures to promote pupils' welfare are robust and pastoral care is exemplary. A parent echoed the views of many others when she wrote, 'The enthusiasm, support and encouragement the children receive from their teachers is great'. Staff know pupils extremely well and treat them as individuals. The assessment and tracking of pupils' performance is meticulously carried out each term. Teachers very quickly identify those pupils at risk of falling behind. The very effective interventions for pupils with LDD enables them to make good progress too. Staff have worked hard since the last inspection

p.4

Grade: 2

to develop provision for the most able pupils. The school's recent award from the National Association for Able Children in Education recognises this and praises the school's identification and provision for gifted and talented pupils. The school's ongoing commitment to developing the curriculum contributes to the pupils' good progress by increasing their motivation and enjoyment of learning. Staff are in the process of devising a well balanced curriculum that is matched to pupils' interests and abilities and is focused on developing pupils skills. It is enhanced by a very good range of popular additional activities. The driving force behind the school's success is the good quality leadership. The headteacher gives a very clear direction for the work of the school. She receives the full support from the committed and highly professional staff and governors. As one parent wrote, 'This is a beautiful

p.5

Grade: 2

school with strong leadership and committed staff'. As a result of effective systems of monitoring and leaders' clear evaluation of strengths and areas to develop, the school is on an upward path. The school's motto is 'Onwards and Upwards'. Currently, the team is rightly focused on raising standards in writing and science. Subject leaders have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities and monitor most aspects well. Governors ask very searching questions and make use of their considerable expertise to benefit the school.

p.5

Grade: 2

The quality of care in the Reception classes is summed up by one parent who wrote, 'My child has just started and has settled extremely well... she appears happy and confident because of the individual care and attention to individuality shown by all staff.' When they start Reception, most children are working at the expected level for their age. Because of good progress, their skills and knowledge are above the expected level by the time they start Year 1. Personal development and well-being are outstanding. Relationships are excellent and children are confident, polite and cooperative and quickly get used to new routines. Teaching and learning are good. Children enjoy choosing from an interesting range of activities indoors and in the new outdoor area. There is a good level of teacher-directed learning. Although children's language development has been a focus and has improved, it remains lower than other areas

p.5

Grade: 2

of learning. Staff frequently assess children's work and this is becoming increasingly accurate. However, there are still some inconsistencies, especially in writing assessments, between classes. The school has received effective and valued support from the local authority since the last inspection. Leadership and management are now good and consequently children's performance is rising. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.5

What the school should do to improve further

■ From the earliest age, raise standards in writing by improving pupils' presentation and by staff and pupils making greater use of specific targets that detail exactly what they need to do next to improve their work. ■ Provide more opportunities to promote a greater understanding and awareness of the diversity and similarities within modern British culture. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008 .

p.6

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 Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.7

Inspection judgements

School Overall Key to judgements: grade 1 is outstanding, grade 2 good, grade 3 satisfactory, and grade 4 inadequate

p.8

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

p.8

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? 1 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 2 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

p.8

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/or disabilities make progress

p.8

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: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.8

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 1 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

p.9

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?

p.9

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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.9

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

06 October 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Mary's Catholic Primary School,Beckenham,BR3 5DE Thank you for the warm welcome you gave us when my colleague and I recently visited your school. We enjoyed talking with several of you and being in some of your lessons. It was interesting to see how much you learn and grow up in your time at St Mary's. We agree with many of your parents that you go to a good school. There is so much that we like but I cannot mention everything here. This is what we think are the most important things.

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress. By the time you leave at the end of Year 6, you are much better at English, mathematics and science than pupils in most other schools. You should be very proud of all of this. ■ You are very friendly and welcoming and your behaviour is excellent.

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You learn well because your lessons are good and adults give you a lot of support and help.

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers are good at planning many exciting things that make you think, work hard and enjoy learning. ■ All of the adults in your school make sure that you are exceptionally well looked after.

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ The people who help run your school do a good job in making sure that you get a good education, especially your headteacher. Even in a good school like yours, there is always something that could be better. I have suggested two things that I think will make a real difference.

p.10

Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Firstly, raise standards in writing. This can be done by you improving your handwriting and presentation and by you and your teachers making better use of targets and marking so you know exactly how to improve. ■ Secondly, provide you with more opportunities so that you can understand the similarities and differences within modern British culture. I hope you continue to enjoy St Mary's. Yours sincerely David Whatson Lead Inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 23 September 2008

p.10