St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School

St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School Inspection report

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103470 Unique Reference Number Birmingham Local Authority 323835 Inspection number 4 March 2009 Inspection date Marion Thompson 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 255 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 Paul Devany Chair Patrick Doohan Headteacher 30 January 2006 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Gumbleberrys Close School address off Cotterills Lane Stechford Birmingham B8 2PS

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3–11 Age group 4 March 2009 Inspection date 323835 Inspection number 0121 675 2205 Telephone number 0121 675 2141 Fax number

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3–11 Age group 4 March 2009 Inspection date 323835 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. 3 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two additional inspectors who evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues:

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Introduction

■ The progress children make in the Nursery and Reception classes, especially in relation to their communication skills and personal development. ■ The impact of teaching, the curriculum and academic guidance on the achievement of the most able pupils, especially in mathematics throughout the school. Evidence was gathered from discussions with leaders, the chair of governors and another member of the governing body, pupils and staff; visits to most classes, analysis of pupils' work, scrutiny of safeguarding arrangements, observations of other aspects of the school day such as assembly, break and lunchtime, and analysis of parents' questionnaires and school documentation, in particular data on pupils' progress.

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Description of the school

This is a large primary school with a large Early Years Foundation Stage, which provides morning and afternoon Nursery sessions and a Reception class. The majority of pupils are of White British origin. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is high. There is on-site provision for a breakfast club, run by the governing body. The school has gained the Healthy Schools Award and the Physical Activity Award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school which provides an excellent education for its pupils. Provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent and enables children to get off to a very good start. The school has the overwhelming support of parents. One parent, representative of many, accurately wrote, 'The school has created an excellent environment in which children learn and grow spiritually, emotionally and academically.' Children are very well known to staff. Parents rightly expressed their gratitude for the extremely high levels of care, support and guidance offered not just to children, but also to their families. Pupils feel extremely safe, secure and happy, and treat others with great respect. Whilst attendance is broadly average, there are very few persistent absentees in comparison to similar schools. This is because children love coming to school. They respond with interest and confidence to challenging work which supports their excellent academic achievement. Because

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Grade: 1

the school values the whole range of their talents, pupils' self-esteem grows. They confidently sing solos or read lengthy stories in front of the whole school in assembly, taking great pride in their achievements. Pupils' extremely rapid progress is supported by an excellent, broad and stimulating curriculum. Specialist tuition, enrichment weeks and a wide range of clubs enhance provision, especially in music, physical education and drama. Many pupils play instruments and take part in regular dramatic and musical performances. Pupils' excellent awareness of how to live a healthy lifestyle is promoted very effectively and uptake of sports activities is high. In this largely monocultural school, pupils develop a keen awareness of the range of faiths and cultures within Britain, as well as having close and productive links with the local church. The curriculum and teaching are especially challenging in English. This enables pupils to produce

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Grade: 1

written work of outstanding depth and quality. They engage in mature conversations about the quality of their work. Over a number of years, standards reached in the Year 6 national tests have consistently been well above average overall and high in English. This represents excellent achievement from pupils' below average starting points. The strategies the school has introduced in mathematics have led to significant improvements in achievement for most pupils. Achievement is not quite as good for a small number of the most able pupils, but is beginning to improve. The school's emphasis on small group and individual work ensures that pupils with learning difficulties and those at the early stages of learning English make extremely rapid progress. Teaching is good and frequently outstanding, especially in English, where levels of expertise are high. Lessons are characterised by mutually respectful relationships, which motivate pupils

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Grade: 1

to work hard. In lessons, as in all areas of school life, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a particular strength. Management of pupils' behaviour is sensitive and extremely skilful. Pupils are clearly taught right from wrong, behave extremely well and are ready to learn. Informative marking and feedback in class provide clear guidance to pupils on how to improve their work. In some mathematics lessons, the level of challenge for the most able pupils is not quite as high as in the best lessons. The progress of the most able pupils is slightly slower in these lessons, but this is improving as a result of very effective staff development and coaching. Over a lengthy period, pupils at this school have achieved very well and their personal development has been excellent. This has been promoted through the outstanding guidance provided by the headteacher. His strong, caring and effective leadership is much appreciated

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Grade: 1

and admired by the school community. He is supported very well by a very effective senior 5 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009 team, hardworking staff and challenging and supportive governors. Teaching staff and managers are enthused and motivated by very well planned staff development. Planning is excellent and exacting and is based on a thorough and detailed knowledge of the work of the school. Because of the school's high expectations, self-evaluation is a little over- critical at times. There have been significant improvements since the previous inspection. For example, academic guidance is now excellent. Much closer monitoring of pupils' progress has enabled the school to intervene much more quickly where needed, so standards in mathematics have risen. Attendance has risen. Challenging targets have been used very well to maintain high expectations, and pupils frequently exceed them in English. Leadership and management are

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Grade: 1

excellent and the school is exceedingly well placed to continue to improve. The school makes an excellent contribution to community cohesion. It makes excellent provision for the pupils in its own community, including a breakfast club in the morning, and successfully develops pupils' awareness as local and global citizens. Because the school values their efforts, pupils take their considerable responsibilities very seriously. For example, they have raised very substantial sums of money for children in Nepal over a long period and know how it has been used. Well above average standards in literacy and numeracy and excellent social skills ensure that pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education.

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Grade: 1

Provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent and it is extremely well led. Children settle in very quickly and enjoy their learning. This is because induction and transition arrangements are very well organised and staff are extremely sensitive to children's needs. Levels of care are very high and trusting relationships are rapidly established. Children quickly begin to develop confidence. Clear expectations are established early on. Children learn to listen attentively and to change activities quickly and without fuss. Progress is very well monitored through careful, accurate observations and excellent liaison with parents. Children join the Early Years Foundation Stage with levels of skills that are below those expected for their age, but make excellent progress, especially in developing their communication and personal and social skills. By the time they join Year 1, standards are at least average.

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Grade: 1

Achievement and personal development are excellent. The programme of activities and teaching provided meet children's needs very effectively. Indoor and outdoor activities are stimulating, well resourced and carefully organised. They provide an excellent balance between the activities planned by the teacher and those chosen and initiated by the children themselves. Children rapidly develop independence. Levels of co-operation are high and there are very well planned opportunities to inspire children to write. From the earliest age, children develop awareness and respect for the range of cultures and languages within the school community.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the achievement of the most able pupils in mathematics by ensuring that they are consistently provided with appropriately demanding tasks in lessons. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009 .

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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 Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 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? 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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EYFS?

1 How well do children in the EYFS achieve? How good are the overall personal development and well-being of the children in the EYFS? 1 How effectively are children in the EYFS helped to learn and develop? 1 How effectively is the welfare of children in the EYFS promoted? 1 How effectively is provision in the EYFS led and managed?

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Achievement and standards

1 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 1 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. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009

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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 The extent to which learners enjoy their education 3 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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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?

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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 1 How effectively leaders and managers use challenging targets to raise standards 1 The effectiveness of the school's self-evaluation 1 How well equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination eliminated 1 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 Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

5 March 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant School (NC), Birmingham B8 2PS Thank you for the warm welcome you gave us when we visited your school. Most of your parents replied to our questionnaire and everyone who wrote to us was delighted with the education the school provides for you! We know that you are very proud of your school as well, so you will be really pleased to hear that it provides you with an excellent education. Children in the Nursery and Reception classes make excellent progress, because teaching and the programme of activities are extremely well organised. The Early Years Foundation Stage is extremely well led. Children settle in very quickly because they are very well cared for. In Years 1 to 6, you are making excellent progress, especially in English. You are reaching well above average standards overall and really high standards in writing. Much of this is due to the

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

hard and very well organised work of the headteacher and staff of the school. The curriculum is very well organised to meet your needs and to keep you interested. It helps that you work in such small groups, so the staff keep a close eye on the progress you are making and help you to catch up quickly if you fall behind. Marking and the guidance teachers give you in class provide you with clear information about how to improve your work. The staff take excellent care of you, making sure you are safe, that you know right from wrong, and respect and care for each other whatever background you come from. You make a big contribution as well. You work very hard and attend regularly, because you enjoy school so much, so keep it up! You rise to the challenge when work is difficult for you. You take on a number of serious responsibilities in school and often in the wider community, for example helping children in Nepal. You take great pleasure from your involvement in music

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

and sport and we were really impressed with your confident contributions in assembly. You treat people in school with respect and behave very well. You know a great deal about how to stay healthy and take plenty of exercise. Your well above average skills in literacy and numeracy and excellent social skills prepare you very well for the future. In order to improve things further, we have asked the school to make sure that those of you who find mathematics easy are always given work to do which is suitably demanding. We hope that you will continue to enjoy school as much as you do now. Best wishes Marion Thompson Lead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: St Cuthbert's RC Junior and Infant (NC) School, 4 March 2009

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