Ashwater Primary School

Ashwater Primary School Inspection report

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113126 Unique Reference Number Devon Local Authority 325758 Inspection number 22 October 2008 Inspection date Michael Barron 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 Community School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 40 School (total) 5 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 Di Westaway Chair Debbie Tomlinson Headteacher 5 October 2005 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Ashwater School address Beaworthy EX21 5EW 01409 211228 Telephone number 01409 211228 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 22 October 2008 Inspection date 325758 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 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: How well pupils presently achieve, especially in numeracy, literacy and science in Year 2 and Year 6 The quality and impact of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision The quality of pupils' personal development, especially pupils' awareness of the multicultural nature of modern British society The role and impact of the governing body. The inspectors gathered evidence from discussions with pupils, staff and representatives from the governing body, observations of teaching and of pupils at work and at play, scrutiny of school documentation and self-evaluation, samples of pupils' work and an analysis of parental questionnaires. Other aspects of the school's work were not inspected in detail, but the inspectors found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its

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Introduction

self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

This is a very small school set in a small village in a rural area of Devon. Pupils are taught in two mixed-age group classes with children in their Reception year sharing a class with Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. All pupils are of White British heritage. The percentage of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities fluctuates from year to year but is presently lower than the national average. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is also lower than average. The school has gained the Healthy Schools Award and the Activemark Sport Award.

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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: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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Grade: 2

This is a good school. It has a friendly and inclusive ethos and provides a good education for pupils, preparing them well for the next stage of their education. It is well led and managed by a dedicated headteacher who provides clear direction for the school. She works well with staff and governors to ensure that the school regularly analyses and accurately evaluates its performance in order to identify and implement improvements where needed. The school has made good progress since the previous inspection, for example in improving the way it uses assessment data when planning work for pupils, and demonstrates a good capacity to improve in the future. Parents are proud of their school. 'I am really happy that our village has such a lovely school in it', being typical of their many positive comments. The quality of teaching in both of the school's mixed-age classes is good and caters effectively for the needs of all pupils, including children in the EYFS. This is an important factor in ensuring

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Grade: 2

that all pupils, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, make consistently good progress and achieve well from the moment they enter the school. As a result, standards are above average, especially in numeracy, literacy and science, in both Year 2 and Year 6. Teachers use a variety of approaches to make learning interesting and pupils say teachers are really helpful and make learning fun. Pupils presently in Year 6 are well on course to meet the very challenging targets set for them in the 2009 national tests. Pupils really like school. They describe it as a friendly place where everyone gets on very well together. They appreciate that working in classes with pupils older or younger than themselves has helped them to develop a strong sense of community and say they feel very safe and well looked after. They know there is always someone to turn to if they have a problem and understand the importance of making sensible and healthy choices. Older pupils take the

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Grade: 2

responsibilities they are given seriously and talk confidently about their role in looking after the younger children at lunchtimes. However, even though the school has often tried to promote good attendance, pupils' rates of attendance are satisfactory. The school has developed a curriculum that ensures learning is relevant, purposeful and enjoyable. Pupils say they like the practical approach to learning in subjects such as science and information and communication technology (ICT) and this helps them to make good progress. Regular visitors to the school and visits to places of interest, for example, the Tate St Ives, effectively build up pupils' knowledge of the world outside their isolated locality. Pupils play an active role in the community and talk enthusiastically about the school's participation in local events. They are also aware of the importance of their involvement in fund raising for

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Grade: 2

local and overseas charities. The school provides a wide range of popular extra-curricular activities for pupils, including sports clubs, which help pupils to keep fit, and activities such as the gardening club, which build up their understanding of environmental issues. The quality of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. However, whilst moral and social development is strong and is reflected in pupils' excellent behaviour and consideration for others, pupils' appreciation and understanding of the multicultural nature of modern British society is quite limited and not as well developed as other aspects of their cultural education. The quality of academic guidance and support for pupils is good. Teachers work well with teaching assistants to ensure that pupils requiring extra help are well supported and make the same good progress as other pupils. However, although the school has implemented good

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Grade: 2

procedures to track pupils' progress and to set challenging targets for improvement, the quality 4 of 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008 of teachers' marking varies and does not always give pupils a firm idea of how to improve their work. The good quality of pastoral care, guidance and support for pupils is the basis for their good personal development and well-being. Parents appreciate the caring way the school looks after their children and comment on the 'supportive ethos and atmosphere' the school provides. Good induction and transfer arrangements help pupils settle quickly into new routines. Health and well-being are securely safeguarded and child protection procedures meet current government requirements. Staff work well together to ensure the school meets the needs of all pupils. However, there have been several recent changes to the membership of the governing body. Although it fulfils

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Grade: 2

its statutory duties effectively, it is only now beginning once again to offer the school a realistic level of support and challenge. Even so, individual governors play an active part in school life and have a sound understanding of the school's strengths and areas in need of development. The school is well resourced and uses these effectively to enhance learning. Partnerships with others and links with external agencies are good and used well to enhance provision and support pupils' well-being.

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Grade: 2

Children in the EYFS share a class with Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. They make good progress after entering the Reception year with a level of skills typical for children of a similar age, because teaching caters well for their needs, regardless of their abilities. As a result, children usually achieve the expected goals in all areas of learning and enter Year 1 with average standards. Many do better than this. Leadership and management of the EYFS are good. The class teacher and effective teaching assistant work well together to ensure children thoroughly enjoy learning. The classroom is a colourful and exciting place which provides children with a safe and secure environment. Lessons effectively blend opportunities for children to learn both independently and with adult direction. The recording of children's progress is thorough and is used consistently well to plan future work. Staff work effectively to ensure there is always a strong emphasis on language

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Grade: 2

development, especially with regard to writing and reading. This ensures that children make good progress in developing their language and communication skills. Progress in personal, social and emotional development is good and parents appreciate the good care and support their children receive. Behaviour is outstanding and, even at this relatively early stage in the school year, children play and work well together and are happy to share and take turns. Regular visits to interesting places are used well to build up children's growing understanding of the immediate world in which they live. However, the school does not have a separate outdoor area for EYFS children, or any outdoor covered area at all. As a result, children have only limited opportunities to work outdoors in lessons when other pupils are using the playground or when it is raining, and there are occasions when this can restrict their

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the outdoor provision for children in Reception.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Increase pupils' awareness and understanding of the multicultural nature of modern British society. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008 ■ Ensure that teachers' marking consistently provides pupils with effective guidance about how to improve their work. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008 .

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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: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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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? 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

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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: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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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 1 The extent to which learners enjoy their education 3 The attendance of learners 1 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? 9 of 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

23 October 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Ashwater Primary School, Ashwater, EX21 5EW Thank you for welcoming us to your school. Everyone was very friendly and both inspectors soon realised why you like your school so much. We enjoyed talking to you about what you like the most about school and seeing you all working well in lessons. Your parents believe that this is a good school and we agree with them. Here are some of the things we particularly like about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers succeed in making lessons interesting and this helps you to make good progress and reach above average standards. ■ You really enjoy everything about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your personal development is good; your behaviour is excellent and you are very friendly, caring and polite. ■ Your headteacher, teachers and governors lead and manage the school well.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ We believe your headteacher and teachers can make your school even better. We have asked them to: ■ Improve the outdoor area so that children in their first year at the school have somewhere to work and play outside in lesson time, especially when other children are using the playground and when it is raining. ■ Make sure teachers' marking always shows you how to improve your work.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Help you to find out more about the customs and traditions of people living in this country who are from different cultural backgrounds to your own. You can help your school to improve by continuing to work hard. We wish you the very best for the future. Yours sincerely Michael Barron Lead inspector 10 of 10 Inspection Report: Ashwater Primary School, 22 October 2008

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