Prettygate Junior School

Prettygate Junior School Inspection report

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114743 Unique Reference Number Essex Local Authority 326059 Inspection number 2 October 2008 Inspection date Alan Lemon 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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Junior Type of school Community School category 7–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 254 School (total) The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs J Beeson Chair Mr B Hawes Headteacher 3 October 2005 Date of previous school inspection Plume Avenue School address Colchester CO3 4PH 01206 577608 Telephone number 01206 766098 Fax number

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7–11 Age group 2 October 2008 Inspection date 326059 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 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by an Additional Inspector. The inspector evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: the evidence supporting high standards and achievement in pupils' work; pupils' personal development and their contribution to their own learning in particular; the impact of leadership on the quality of learning, and the strengths in the curriculum contributing to pupils' progress and personal development. Evidence was gathered from the observation of lessons, discussions with pupils and scrutiny of their work, discussions with members of the senior leadership team and governors, a scrutiny of school documents and parent questionnaires. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the inspector found the evidence to confirm the school's own evaluations, as given in its self-evaluation form, were justified and these have been recorded

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Description of the school

Prettygate Junior School serves a suburban community which is a mix of owner-occupied and rented properties. The great majority of the 254 pupils are White British. The number of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is near to the national average but has been increasing in recent years. Most of these pupils have language and communication difficulties. Pupils' attainment on entry is broadly average. The school shares a site with Prettygate Infant School. Prettygate Junior has gained recognition for its provision in information and communication technology (ICT). It is a centre of excellence for ICT and has received many additional awards in this field among which are the National ICT Mark and the Digital Equity Award. The school has gained recognition in many other areas. In particular, it has the Inclusion Quality Mark, Activemark Gold for sports and the Healthy Schools Award (Advanced).

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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: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008

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Grade: 1

Prettygate Junior School is outstanding. It has maintained the high quality of educational provision as a result of determined leadership sustaining an exceptional pace of improvement since the last inspection when Prettygate Junior had also been judged to be an outstanding school. The two areas for improvement identified in that inspection have been dealt with comprehensively. Pupils learn mental calculation skills very effectively. Governors are now rigorous in their evaluations of the school's work. Their role is excellent in supporting the school. The school's capacity to continue improving is outstanding. The good qualities found in all effective schools are here in abundance. A great many stand out as especially strong. The very high regard shown for every pupil and deep concern that that they all thrive and achieve is at the forefront of the school's aims and shared by all staff. This is clearly reflected in the very positive views expressed by a great many parents. These

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Grade: 1

show the school is in tune with their aspirations and concerns, and also that parents appreciate fully the special qualities of Prettygate. In this respect, they have the highest praise for the headteacher who is an excellent leader. A most effective team provides a high quality of leadership and management throughout the school. Pupils too love their school, valuing the fact they are being exceptionally well prepared for the future. Their attitude to school is excellent. They behave extremely well and attendance is high. They have a huge regard for all the staff and find great enjoyment in their work and activities. Particularly good features are the extent to which pupils are encouraged to express their views about school and the seriousness with which school leaders take these on-board. Pupils take on many responsibilities, contributing outstandingly well to school life and beyond, especially in raising money for many

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Grade: 1

good causes at home and abroad. Personal development, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are outstanding. High expectations permeate all that the school does. One important result of this is the high standards in pupils' work and their excellent rate of progress through Key Stage 2. In the years since the last inspection pupils have arrived into Year 3 with broadly average standards. Typically, by the end of Year 6, they leave with above, or well above, average standards in English, mathematics and science, as shown by the 2007 tests and suggested by the provisional 2008 results. The number of pupils reaching the highest level is down slightly on previous years but, as shown in the school's data, this was expected and, overall, the results do not detract from pupils' excellent achievements. Standards are high in other subjects as well, in ICT especially, which has long been a real strength of the school. ICT is thoroughly resourced and taught with

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Grade: 1

great expertise and it is used extensively to support learning in every part of the curriculum, contributing to outstanding provision for pupils' future economic well-being. Physical education (PE) too stands out because of the generous time devoted to it and sports as well as long-established specialist teaching. Boys and girls are hugely enthusiastic about PE and appreciate the benefits to their health and fitness. Being a healthy school has a high profile and pupils benefit enormously in understanding how to stay healthy and eat well. Their fresh fruit tuck shop is extremely popular. The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding, the product of very effective leadership and teamwork throughout the school in making lessons so effective. The monitoring of lessons and the curriculum, carried out by senior leaders and subject coordinators, is frequent and rigorous. The evaluations of strengths and areas for improvement are extremely accurate, aiding

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Grade: 1

the maintenance of high quality and the implementation of new approaches. Lessons are 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008 planned very well and are taught with confidence and expertise. Thorough assessment is used very effectively to match pupils' work to their abilities and this succeeds in them all sustaining very good rates of progress. What pupils should learn is laid out clearly for them and, together with targets set for them, they understand the point of their work and what they have to achieve. New knowledge and skills are expertly explained and demonstrated, always with very effective visual aids on interactive whiteboards. Questioning is focused sharply, adding to the challenge of the work and causing pupils to think hard. Pupils are attentive and confident contributors. Teaching gives them very good opportunities to use initiative and to work together, which improves the quality of learning. Pupils are enthused and make considerable efforts to

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Grade: 1

achieve as much as possible. An exceptional amount of work has gone into making the curriculum as broad, relevant and interesting as possible for all pupils. As a result, it provides an excellent variety of work and activities, which pupils greatly appreciate. They especially enjoy the many well-attended after school clubs and opportunities for sports and arts. ICT and PE are notable strengths. Overall, the curriculum makes a significant contribution to personal development and academic progress. An appropriate emphasis is given to literacy and numeracy, although both gain considerable strength from the many additional initiatives supporting pupils' progress. Lower attaining and average ability pupils are moved on very effectively in the small booster groups for literacy and numeracy. Links with neighbouring primary and secondary schools provide higher attaining pupils with lessons offering extra challenges to really stretch them. Provision for children with

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Grade: 1

learning difficulties and disabilities is broad and highly organised, which ensures that all pupils with learning difficulties gain good levels of basic skills. The numbers with these difficulties, including those with a statement of educational need, is rapidly increasing and the school is working to ensure its provision matches this demand. The school's ethos encourages and values all involved with it. This is reflected in the strong partnerships with parents, the community, neighbouring schools and many of the local authority's support agencies. There is outstanding promotion of harmony and understanding on both local and global dimensions. The involvement of pupils and staff with, and their support for, a school in Uganda is a true reflection of their work in bringing the community closer together. In school, the care and support for pupils is outstanding. Robust arrangements safeguarding them ensure

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Grade: 1

they stay safe and there is much in the daily routines and curriculum that teaches pupils to be safe. Their academic progress is supported superbly. High expectations underpins much of the support provided. Diligent marking of pupils' work by teachers makes a significant contribution to them knowing how well they are doing and what to do to improve.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure by continued careful monitoring and evaluation that the high quality provision for pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities remains effective in meeting the needs of the increasing number of pupils identified with a learning difficulty or disability. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 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. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 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? 1 The capacity to make any necessary improvements

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Achievement and standards

1 How well do learners achieve? 1 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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008

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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 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

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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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

3 October 2008 Dear Pupils Inspection of Prettygate Junior School, Colchester CO3 4PH Many thanks to you all for making my visit to your school so enjoyable and worthwhile. I greatly appreciated the opportunities to talk to you about work and school, and a special thanks to the Year 6 pupils who met with me to discuss their views. I heard only very positive comments from you about school and I am very happy to say, in all that I found out during the day, I agree with you completely. You have an outstanding school. It gets top marks because of all the hard work of the staff and your amazing efforts in achieving such high standards in your work. As you said yourselves, teachers make lessons fun and there is lots for you to do in school that gives you much enjoyment. I was pleased to see how well teachers plan work that really stretches you. You pointed out, and I agree, ICT and PE stand out from all the other good activities on offer. The work I saw you doing on your laptops was

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

truly impressive. As impressive is how good your understanding is of staying healthy. It is a very good sign of growing up well that you happily take on lots of responsibilities in helping out at school as well as in helping others less fortunate than you. Your headteacher is very good at knowing where improvement is needed in school including my recommendation that everything is done to help new pupils who have more difficulty learning than most. As learning buddies many of you will be able to be a great help as well. I wish you all the very best for the future. Alan Lemon Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Prettygate Junior School, 2 October 2008

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