Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School

Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School Inspection report

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116830 Unique Reference Number Worcestershire Local Authority 326456 Inspection number 13 May 2009 Inspection date Alison Cartlidge 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 controlled School category 4–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 141 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 Judith Keene Chair Geoffrey Rutherford Headteacher 24 May 2006 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Lower Wyche Road School address Malvern WR14 4ET 01684 573205 Telephone number

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4–11 Age group 13 May 2009 Inspection date 326456 Inspection number 01684 573205 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 13 May 2009 Inspection date 326456 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 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

Pupils come to this small primary school from the town of Malvern and the surrounding area. The proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals is very low. The school has a below average proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Provision for the Early Years Foundation Stage is in one Reception and a Year 1 class. In the rest of the school, pupils are also taught in classes with two year groups in each class, except in Year 6. Almost all pupils are of White British background.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 4 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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Grade: 1

Pupils are extremely happy at this outstanding school. Beautiful surroundings, excellent teaching and an inspirational curriculum all contribute to their thorough enjoyment of learning. One pupil spoke for many when describing the work at this school as being, 'Cool. It is work but it is fun at the same time.' Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage make an excellent start to their education. In Years 1 to 6, pupils' achievement is outstanding and as a result, by the end of Year 6, standards are exceptionally high in English, mathematics and science. All pupils, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, make excellent progress because they receive exceptionally good support from teachers and teaching assistants to help them reach their challenging, individual targets. Pupils' personal development and well-being are exemplary. They develop excellent moral and social values and are exceptionally polite and friendly. They have an excellent understanding

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Grade: 1

of how to stay safe and move around the multi-level school sensibly. They have a good knowledge of healthy lifestyles and make a good contribution to the community by carrying out many special jobs in school. For example, older pupils run the school's radio station and help the younger ones at playtime. The school prepares the pupils exceptionally well for the next stage of education and later life; pupils develop excellent basic skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology and become responsible and well-rounded individuals. Teachers have exceptionally good relationships with the pupils, commanding respect and exceptionally good behaviour. They work closely with the pupils to plan and provide fun activities that make learning interesting. Tasks are matched closely to pupils' differing abilities, enabling them to build very well on what they have already learnt. Occasionally in whole-class

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Grade: 1

discussions, some teachers do not involve all the pupils well enough in the question and answer sessions, and when this happens some pupils are not learning as quickly as they could. Valuable additional activities such as clubs, visitors and visits boost the pupils' enjoyment of school and help them to learn. Members of staff provide outstanding care, guidance and support and this meets pupils' pastoral and academic needs exceptionally well. They carry out frequent assessments to monitor pupils' progress. Leadership and management are outstanding. The headteacher is tireless in his pursuit of excellence. He works with governors and other members of staff to evaluate provision so that high standards are sustained successfully. The school has an exceptional learning ethos enhanced by several members of staff being involved in educational research about innovative approaches to teaching. This attitude towards constantly refreshing provision means that the school has

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Grade: 1

not stood still since the last inspection and continues to flourish and grow, demonstrating its outstanding capacity to improve further. Following a recent evaluation of the school's contribution towards community cohesion, leaders have correctly identified that whilst provision for this is good overall, they need to expand the pupils' awareness of social diversity in Britain by, for example, strengthening links with schools beyond the local community. The school already has successful links on a global level with Tanzania. There is an excellent partnership between home and school and most parents are delighted that their children come to this school. They make extremely positive comments such as: 'The school provides a superb education. Teaching is excellent and certainly enjoyable. The curriculum is fun and all our children love school', and 'The combination of caring, good-natured teachers 5 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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Grade: 1

and exciting curriculum tailored to the children's interests makes this school a great place for a child to grow'. These comments are typical and accurately reflect the school's many strengths.

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Grade: 1

On entry to the Early Years Foundation Stage, most children are working within the levels typically expected for this age group. Standards are above average by the start of Year 1, with pupils' personal development being a particular strength. Excellent teaching and an exciting curriculum help children to make exceptionally good progress. Children are responsible for planning their own curriculum and devising questions they would like to be answered. This innovative approach towards learning engages their interest fully and develops their confidence and self-esteem extremely well. As a result, children cooperate extremely well, are very independent and learn how to make sensible choices. During the inspection, children were particularly enjoying finding out about sinking and floating as part of a topic about pirates. They managed this work for themselves very sensibly, identifying which stage of the activity

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Grade: 1

they were involved in by talking about the different 'zones' of learning. For example, children could explain clearly that when they were finding out whether their boats would float, they were in the 'testing zone'. Adults promote the children's welfare extremely successfully. They provide calm and sensitive support as and when needed. They observe children at work to monitor their progress and plan their next steps. The excellent links with parents enable children to settle quickly.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ increase pupils' participation in whole-class discussions

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What the school should do to improve further

■ provide pupils with greater opportunities to learn about social differences in Britain.

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Grade: 1

Pupils' achievement is outstanding. Children make excellent progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage and this continues in the rest of the school. The school is very vigilant in monitoring the progress of all groups of pupils to ensure that any at risk of falling behind are identified and supported swiftly. Consequently, pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities make the same very good progress as other groups of pupils. In most years, standards are exceptionally high in English, mathematics and science. This was evident during the inspection, when pupils in Year 6 used their excellent vocabularies and imaginations to write about a Masai myth. In 2008, standards were above average but this is not as high as usual for this school. This was because this year group had an exceptionally large proportion of pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

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Grade: 1

Pupils are excellent ambassadors for their school and contribute immensely to its success. Their great enthusiasm for learning and the exciting curriculum is reflected in their extremely good attendance. Pupils behave exceptionally well. They are very polite and friendly and help each other in lessons and in the playground. They concentrate very well and are keen to take part 6 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009 in the wide range of activities. The school has correctly identified that some pupils, whilst enjoying practical work, do not take enough care over their handwriting.

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Grade: 1

■ Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. Pupils form extremely good relationships with each other and have a very thorough understanding about the difference between right and wrong. They contribute well to the community by taking part in fundraising events, and older pupils carry out a wide range of tasks around school conscientiously. Pupils say that they would appreciate better ways of making their views known through activities such as a school council. The school is aware that pupils have limited opportunities to share their ideas for improving the school, other than informally. The eco committee is proud of the way it helps to care for the environment. Pupils show very good concern for the needs of others. They have a good understanding of various faiths and cultures through visits and global links. Their understanding of social differences in Britain is comparatively weak. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to stay safe. For

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Grade: 1

example, they can explain how to take care when using the internet. Pupils maintain healthy lifestyles by taking as much exercise as they can in the fairly cramped play areas and by eating healthily most of the time. Pupils' progress in developing skills relevant to their future lives is outstanding.

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Grade: 1

■ Teachers have very good relationships with their pupils and expect and achieve high standards of behaviour. They are extremely skilled at building on the pupils' interests and prior learning, providing them with activities that are purposeful and interesting. Skilful questioning is used very well to challenge and move all pupils' learning forward.Teaching is especially effective in Year 6. Pupils in this class benefit from fascinating lessons that make excellent use of information and communication technology. For example, during the inspection, they were using the internet and microscopes connected to computers to answer the question 'why do nettles sting ■ ' This open-ended approach towards learning is a typical feature of teaching throughout the school and helps pupils to expand their subject knowledge well in advance of levels expected for their age. In all classes, skilled teaching assistants support small groups of pupils very

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Grade: 1

well, particularly those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. In some classes, there are occasional missed opportunities to involve all pupils during whole-class discussions. Across the school, teachers mark pupils' work frequently, although they do not always insist that pupils use their best handwriting.

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Grade: 1

The school provides pupils with an astonishing breadth of relevant experiences, helping them to thoroughly enjoy learning. However, members of staff are aware that they are not providing pupils with enough opportunities to learn about social differences in Britain. Pupils play a large part in planning their own work and teachers use their specialist skills to help deliver an interesting curriculum that links subjects together to inspire pupils. The creative arts are promoted very effectively. Leaders are working together well to increase meaningful opportunities for pupils to use their writing skills in other subjects. There is excellent provision 7 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009 for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in class and in special group activities planned to support their specific needs. Pupils' personal development is supported exceptionally well through lessons, clubs and other

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Grade: 1

activities. There are many physical activities available to help keep the pupils healthy.

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Grade: 1

Pupils say that they feel extremely safe and happy in this friendly school. The school works exceptionally well with parents and outside agencies to safeguard pupils' well-being and to support pupils who may have difficulties. Pupils say that they know what to do if they have a worry and are right to be confident that members of staff will deal with any concerns quickly. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are identified quickly and are given excellent support to ensure that they make very good progress. Thorough assessment procedures in all subjects provide teachers with very good information about how well pupils are doing. Members of staff ensure that pupils are very well informed about their progress and are working to improve the consistency of their marking further, so that it always challenges pupils to improve their work.

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Grade: 1

The school's systems for self-evaluation are excellent. The headteacher, governors and other leaders work together exceptionally well in a constant drive to improve provision and sustain exceptionally high standards. There is a very clear vision and understanding about what needs to be done to maintain its high standards and further improve the provision. Leaders monitor pupils' progress rigorously, identifying groups of pupils needing additional support and providing intervention as needed. Challenging targets are set and achieved. All learners benefit from a relevant and purposeful curriculum, enabling all groups to achieve equally well. The school's contribution towards community cohesion is good. There are good opportunities to increase pupils' knowledge about other cultures, and leaders are right to be discussing how they can increase the pupils' understanding about social diversity in the United Kingdom.

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Grade: 1

Governance is excellent. Governors are very supportive and knowledgeable about the school and ask challenging questions to ensure that developments are in the best interests of the school and its pupils. 8 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009 .

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Grade: 1

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 9 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 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? 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. 10 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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learners?

1 The extent of learners' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 2 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 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 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 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? 11 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

14 May 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of Malvern Wyche Church of England Primary School, Malvern WR14 4ET Thank you for welcoming us to your school and for sharing your work with us. Your school provides you with an outstanding education. Here are some good points about your school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make excellent progress during your time at the school.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You behave exceptionally well and enjoy school very much.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You enjoy helping others. We especially enjoyed hearing about how you run your school's radio station. ■ Teaching is excellent. Teachers are very successful at making learning meaningful and fun.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You study a wonderful range of topics, and play a large part in planning what you are going to learn. ■ The adults in the school care for you extremely well.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Your headteacher and other leaders know how to make your school even better.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

What we have asked your school to do now.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Make sure that you all take part in whole-class discussions.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Help you to learn more about how people live in other parts of Britain.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ Make sure that you always take care with your handwriting.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

We thoroughly enjoyed talking with you about your work and watching you learn. We are glad that you enjoy coming to this very happy school and wish you well for the future.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Alison Cartlidge Lead inspector 12 of 12 Inspection Report: Malvern Wyche CofE Primary School, 13 May 2009

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