Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School

Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School Inspection report

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116355 Unique Reference Number Hampshire Local Authority 326369 Inspection number 27 February 2009 Inspection date Keith Sadler 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 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 128 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 Elizabeth Waller Chair Miss Susan Wall Headteacher 6 December 2005 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Chatter Alley School address Dogmersfield Hook Hampshire RG27 8SS

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4–11 Age group 27 February 2009 Inspection date 326369 Inspection number 01252 616345 Telephone number 01252 616652 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 27 February 2009 Inspection date 326369 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 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors who evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school. In addition, the following issues were investigated.

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Introduction

■ Why have results in mathematics not been as high as in English and science?

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Introduction

■ What are the elements in the school's provision for pupils' care, guidance and support that make it outstanding? ■ How well do subject leaders contribute to the school's monitoring and evaluation processes?

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Introduction

Evidence was gathered from the school's analysis of pupils' progress, a scrutiny of samples of their work, and observations of pupils in lessons. Discussions were held with staff, governors and pupils. In addition, the responses of 87 parents' questionnaires were analysed, and their comments taken into account. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but inspectors found no evidence to suggest that the school's own assessments, as given in its self-evaluation, were not justified, and these have been included where appropriate in this report.

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Description of the school

Dogmersfield is much smaller than most primary schools, though it is growing in size and is heavily oversubscribed. A few pupils come from Dogmersfield village, with others coming from nearby villages and towns. The children in the Early Years Foundation Stage share a class with Year 1 pupils. Almost all the pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties is average. Most of these have either behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, or speech, language and communication issues. The school has gained the Sports Activemark award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009

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Grade: 2

Dogmersfield school provides a good standard of education. Its pupils achieve well because good leadership and management ensure that the school's provision is of good quality. The school promotes pupils' personal development well, so this is also good. The school has improved well since the previous inspection and this demonstrates a good capacity for further improvement. Almost all the families in the school completed the parents' questionnaire, and these show that parents are overwhelmingly supportive. They are unanimous in saying that their children enjoy school, are safe, and that staff take good account of their children's views. Parents were very positive in the comments they made, as exemplified by one who wrote: 'The children always come first. The school offers a friendly, open environment which actively encourages my child's individuality. My son cried recently when I had to pick him up from school due to sickness,

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Grade: 2

because he protested about leaving.' Pupils achieve well and make good progress throughout the school. Those that find learning hard, or have particular behavioural support needs, also make good progress. This is because their learning needs are quickly identified and they are supported well. The school tracks pupils' progress carefully and makes very good use of subsequent information to ensure that future work is targeted effectively to accelerate learning. This has helped to raise achievement and has resulted in standards in national tests for pupils at the end of Year 2 being strengthened from previously above average levels to the current exceptionally high levels. This improvement project successfully concentrated on ensuring that pupils who find learning easier achieve particularly well. In consequence, the proportion of pupils gaining the higher levels in reading, writing and mathematics has improved. Progress in

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Grade: 2

Years 3-6 is good, and pupils also achieve well in these classes. Standards at the end of Year 6 are above average and occasionally, for instance in science in 2007, are exceptionally high. Standards have improved in mathematics because the school has addressed previous weaknesses well. It has focused on strengthening pupils' practical skills, and the curriculum has been reorganised to provide more opportunities for pupils to apply their calculation skills in problem-solving activities. As a result, standards in mathematics no longer lag behind those in English and science. Current Year 6 pupils are on track to attain standards that are well above average. The leadership and management of the headteacher are good. She is rightly much admired by parents and governors because she is deeply committed to the school and its improvement. She is supported well by the team of staff, who together provide clear direction for the school.

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Grade: 2

Teamwork is good, with staff being mutually supportive, and morale is high. Teachers with subject responsibilities carry them out well. They help and support other staff in their areas and also make a good contribution to the school's accurate self-evaluation processes. For example, the science subject leader has led a successful improvement project to strengthen pupils' investigative skills. This was undertaken because analysis of work and the curriculum showed that too little opportunity was being provided for practical work. This is not now the case. Governance is good, with governors maintaining regular and purposeful contact with the school. Their close monitoring of the school's provision enables them to ensure that they meet their responsibilities well. There has been good improvement since the previous inspection. One particular feature is the new hall. Not only has this enabled the school to meet statutory

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Grade: 2

requirements for the teaching of the physical education curriculum, but it has also been a focus for linking with the community. The school community raised over £50,000 to build the hall, 5 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009 which can now be used as a focus for the community. This has aided staff and governors in being able to strengthen community cohesion, which is now good. The inspection confirms the school's view that the quality of teaching is most often good. There have been improvements, particularly in the quality of pupils' learning, since the previous inspection. This has led to pupils being clear about not only what is being taught, but also what they have to do to meet lesson objectives. Teachers ensure that there is always a positive climate for learning because they manage the pupils' behaviour exceptionally well, so that relationships are consistently positive. This atmosphere leads to classrooms being quiet and

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Grade: 2

purposeful. Teachers' questioning skills are of good quality, and this enables them to ensure that activities are matched well to pupils' learning needs. Although some teaching is outstanding, on occasion lessons are not always conducted at a suitable pace and pupils are not sufficiently well engaged in their learning, so their progress slows. There have been clear improvements in the care, guidance and support provided for pupils. These areas are now outstanding. All child protection procedures and safeguarding arrangements are in place and meet current regulations. Pastoral support is excellent because the staff know the pupils' needs well and care for them particularly well. The very positive atmosphere, based on the school's positive Christian ethos, enables the school to provide a safe learning environment for pupils. Taken together, these factors promote good personal development. Behaviour is good both in classes and around the school. Pupils enjoy school, and they have a

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Grade: 2

good understanding of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They are given a good grounding in citizenship and in contributing to the school community through taking on responsibilities, such as being members of the influential school council, team captains, and 'huff and puff' monitors. Within the local and the wider communities, pupils make good use of the many opportunities provided for them to make a useful contribution. These range from regular charitable fundraising to supporting and developing links with a school in Uganda. Pupils are prepared well for their move to secondary school. There has been a marked improvement in the curriculum since the previous inspection which was limited previously due to the lack of a hall. The curriculum is well organised and enriched by a wide range of additional activities, including residential visits and many extra-curricular activities, particularly in sport. This is recognised in that the school holds the Sports Activemark.

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Grade: 2

Subjects are generally linked together well to make learning meaningful. However, work in information and communication technology (ICT) is not consistently planned for across other subjects, although the school is working to improve this.

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Grade: 2

Children enter the Reception class with levels of skills and knowledge that are broadly in line with those expected for their age. The commitment and care shown by the Early Years Foundation Stage leader and her staff, including home visits and the early links established with parents, ensure that children settle quickly into school. Children have good opportunities to visit the school and meet staff before they start, which helps them to feel extremely secure. As a result, they get off to a good start. The special needs coordinator visits pre-school providers where children with specific learning needs have been identified, so ensuring that provision is immediately made for them when they start school. Children achieve well. At the end of Reception, the majority are working securely within the learning goals expected of them, with a considerable number fully meeting or exceeding them. 6 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009

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Grade: 2

A particular focus on sounds and letters and more opportunities for role play and writing are helping children to quickly master the early stages of literacy. Activities that encourage fine motor skills are further aiding children's control of writing implements. Children are very happy in the setting, get on well with each other, and quickly grow in confidence. The Early Years Foundation Stage is well led and managed. There is a good range of resources. Over the last year, the outdoor area has been developed to provide further opportunities to enhance children's learning, especially with regard to independent play. Planning shows that there is a good balance between teacher-directed learning and opportunities for children to explore and play independently, generally linked to themes, such as 'The Jungle'. It shows what children are expected to gain from these different activities, but assistants do not always assess

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Grade: 2

this well enough in relation to the different areas of learning and the progress that children are making.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve the pace of learning by making sure that all lessons are lively and engaging.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Ensure the use of ICT is effectively enhancing learning across all subjects. 7 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 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. 8 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 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? 1 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. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 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? 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 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: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

13 March 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School,Hampshire,RG27 8SS I am writing to let you know what we found when we visited your school. Thank you for helping us so well and making us feel welcome. We really enjoyed talking with you and finding out about your school. We can see why you enjoy school so much, because yours is a good school. These are the things that are best about it.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make good progress in your learning, enjoy school, behave well and want to do your best. ■ The staff take excellent care of you and make sure that you are safe and very well looked after. ■ You know the importance of eating the right things and staying fit and healthy.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your teachers do a good job. Teaching is good and you enjoy learning.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher is doing a good job, too. She is supported very well by all the other adults in the school. We have asked the school to continue to focus on two particular things in order to get better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Improve the pace of learning by making sure that teachers make all lessons lively and interesting. ■ Plan to use ICT much more in all the subjects you are learning.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You can help by making sure you work as hard as possible to meet your targets. With best wishes. Yours faithfully Keith Sadler Lead Inspector 11 of 11 Inspection Report: Dogmersfield Church of England Primary School, 27 February 2009

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