Moss Side Primary School

Moss Side Primary School Inspection report

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119336 Unique Reference Number Lancashire Local Authority 327004 Inspection number 21–22 January 2009 Inspection dates Ruth James HMI 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 252 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 Mr Michael Simmonds Chair Mrs Janis Burdin Headteacher 1 March 2006 Date of previous school inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous funded early education inspection Not previously inspected Date of previous childcare inspection Paradise Lane School address Leyland Lancashire PR26 7ST 01772 432048 Telephone number 01772 452540 Fax number

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4–11 Age group 21–22 January 2009 Inspection dates 327004 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 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors and two additional inspectors.

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Description of the school

In this average sized school almost all the children are White British. They come from a broad range of social and economic backgrounds, but the proportion eligible for free school meals is below average. The proportion of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is about average but a higher number have statements of special educational need. The school has Investors in People, the Healthy Schools award, the Basic Skills Award, Activemark and the Bronze Eco-award.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009

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Grade: 1

Pupils thrive in this outstanding school with its warm, welcoming and very caring environment. The building is well maintained, attractive and fit for purpose and lovely examples of pupils’ work are displayed. The school’s reputation in the community is excellent and parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. One comment succinctly summarises the positive views expressed: ‘Moss Side is a wonderful, friendly caring school and is a credit to all the teachers, staff and headteacher. The standard of education provided is second to none and all the staff should be very proud of all the hard work, effort and commitment they put in.’ Standards are consistently very high and achievement is outstanding. Unvalidated data show that almost 90% of pupils who sat national tests in 2008 attained at least the expected level in both English and mathematics. The excellent progress made by pupils is the result of the

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Grade: 1

outstanding teaching they receive. Pupils are highly motivated to learn. Teachers know their pupils extremely well and constantly monitor and assess their progress; amending planning on a day by day basis to ensure that each individual takes the next steps in learning. Teachers mark pupils’ work carefully so all know what they have done well and what they need to improve. Pupils who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well. Well trained teaching assistants make a significant contribution to learning. Intervention is used extremely effectively where pupils are identified as in need of additional support. The school believes each pupil is unique and can succeed, and does everything possible to ensure that they do. As one parent commented: ‘The school has been the best thing for my children. They are both very different and are taught the best way that suits them as individuals.’

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Grade: 1

Pupils’ personal development is exemplary. Behaviour is outstanding. Pupils are exceptionally polite, friendly and courteous, showing great respect for adults and each other. They show high levels of social responsibility. Attendance is very high, reflecting pupils’ enjoyment of school. As one parent remarked: ‘Moss Side is an excellent school, and my child has thoroughly enjoyed attending over the last few years. To say she is thriving is an understatement.’ Pastoral care is excellent. The curriculum is enhanced by special events and themed weeks. Visitors help to extend pupils’ knowledge of the wider world. Specialist teaching in science provides very good opportunities for practical work. Very good extra-curricular activities are offered, including a range of sporting activities, which help pupils to lead healthy lifestyles. The school is not complacent and continuously identifies ways to improve its pupils’ education.

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Grade: 1

The outstanding and determined leadership of the headteacher ensures that the high quality provision is maintained through leadership changes. The school now recognises the need to consolidate the present leadership team. Governors are knowledgeable, loyal and experienced. They take an active and critical part in managing and leading the school. They care deeply about pupils’ academic and personal achievements. The school knows its strengths and knows exactly what it needs to do to maintain high standards. Capacity to improve and value for money are outstanding.

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Grade: 1

Provision is outstanding. School data show that children start school with skills slightly below those typical for their age. This is especially the case for language and personal skills. Excellent 4 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009 leadership provides outstanding teaching, an exemplary curriculum and very high levels of care and personal and social development. Consequently, children make very good progress. Their progress in reading is particularly rapid. They develop very good social skills, learning to cooperate well, take turns and share. Outstanding teaching provides a well planned, interesting range of practical activities that really excite children’s curiosity to investigate. During the inspection they were thrilled to use ‘Talking Tins’ and record different voices for Daddy, Mummy and Baby Bear, a stimulating activity supporting the priority staff place on increasing children’s

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Grade: 1

language skills. Activities selected by the children blend seamlessly with those led by the staff. Children are very keen to work outside where staff skilfully provide activities in all areas of learning in the limited space. The quality of care for children’s welfare is exemplary. Staff know the children very well. Excellent relationships make them feel very safe and secure and really help them learn, develop confidence and become increasingly independent. Progress is rigorously tracked and monitored and extra help swiftly directed to meet individual needs. There is a strong emphasis on ensuring that all children make the necessary progress to reach levels that will enable them to make the best of learning opportunities as they move into Key Stage 1. This means that by the beginning of Year 1 most children are working at or above the expected goals for their learning. The leader recognizes that the use of different methods of assessment

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Grade: 1

needs to be rationalized to better inform planning.

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What the school should do to improve further

There are no significant areas for further improvement but the school recognises the need to:

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Rationalise early years’ assessment processes to better inform planning.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Consolidate the leadership team to ensure that outstanding provision is maintained.

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Grade: 1

Standards are well above average and pupils’ achievement is outstanding. The results of national tests at the end of Year 6 show that standards have been consistently significantly above average over many years. In 2007 the proportions of pupils attaining the expected levels in each of English, mathematics and science were well above the national average. Similarly, the proportions achieving above the expected level were high. Provisional data for 2008 show that the percentage of pupils who gained at least the expected level in both English and mathematics was exceptionally high, and almost 90% of pupils did so. This represents outstanding achievement for pupils who started school with average to below average starting points. Standards at Key Stage 1 are also consistently high. Unvalidated data for 2008 show that standards for the small number of pupils receiving free school meals were particularly high.

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Grade: 1

The data also show that almost all pupils reached the expected level in mathematics and writing, and a high proportion did so in reading. The progress made by pupils is at least good in all respects and exemplary in significant elements as a result of the excellent teaching they receive. The school is particularly successful with pupils who start with below average skills, knowledge and understanding. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities achieve as well as others as a result of the high quality teaching and support they receive. The school consistently exceeds its challenging targets. 5 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009

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Grade: 1

Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and this is reflected in their exemplary attitudes to learning, above average attendance and excellent behaviour. Pupils are courteous and polite. Pupils of different abilities and backgrounds play happily together. Pupils have an excellent understanding about how to lead healthy lifestyles. They say that they feel safe, know how to look after themselves and who to ask for help when they need to. Their involvement in sport reflects their strong determination to keep healthy. Bullying is not a problem. Pupils willingly accept responsibilities to improve their school community. For example, one Year 5 boy happily volunteered to clean up a spilled drink. Two school councils play an important role in the everyday life of the school, as do house captains, each position giving a good experience of accepting responsibility and decision making. Pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development

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Grade: 1

are excellent. The enthusiastic singing in assemblies brings the whole school together in their act of worship. Pupils gain a good understanding of other faiths and cultures. Pupils develop excellent personal and social and academic skills that will be valuable to them in the next phase of their education and throughout their adult life.

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Grade: 1

Teaching and learning are consistently good throughout the school, with many outstanding features. Stimulating and sensitive teaching enables pupils to make very good, and often outstanding progress. Work is challenging and the expectation of success permeates the life of the school. Pupils’ progress is tracked meticulously. This information is used very effectively by teachers in their detailed planning to match work to individual needs and prior attainment. Teaching assistants are skilled and deployed effectively in lessons. Pupils talk enthusiastically about their learning and enjoy a wide range of subjects across the primary curriculum. Teachers successfully incorporate exciting learning opportunities into their lessons. Older pupils find their clear learning targets and the advice they receive when their work is marked very helpful. Even the youngest children are aware of what they need to do to improve. Staff work very hard

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Grade: 1

and they are highly committed to the children and their school. They succeed in developing an atmosphere where learning skills for all pupils are nurtured and can flourish.

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Grade: 1

The curriculum is at least good in all major respects and exemplary in significant elements. Pupils’ enjoyment of the curriculum is evident in many ways. There is an appropriate emphasis on literacy and numeracy which enables pupils to reach high standards in these subjects. The use of information and communications technology is developing well. The curriculum is well planned to meet the needs of learners of all abilities with well structured support arrangements for those with additional learning needs or at risk of underachievement. Cross curricular topics are used to develop skills across the curriculum. These are not fixed but chosen to suit the particular interests of the pupils, or in response to current events. Careful planning and the use of a specialist teacher and classroom for science give pupils plenty of opportunity to do practical science in smaller groups than their class groups. New initiatives such as ‘Big Write’

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Grade: 1

are embraced where they are seen as valuable to the development of pupils’ skills. Modern 6 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009 foreign language teaching in upper Key Stage 2 is preparing pupils well for learning French in high school. Special events, including themed weeks such as book week or maths week, contribute very well and give pupils additional opportunities to get involved in different activities such as singing songs with mathematical themes. Some unusual opportunities are offered. For example, during the inspection very good participation and enjoyment was seen in a clog dancing lesson. Pupils comment particularly positively on the variety of after school clubs, open to a wide age range. They enjoy the variety of sporting activities which help them to lead healthy lifestyles. Older children in particular have opportunities to take on responsibilities such as acting as receptionists at lunchtime.

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Grade: 1

The care, guidance and support provided for pupils are outstanding. The school’s ethos is calm and supportive. Pupils learn in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. They express great confidence in the staff, reassured that help is at hand if needed. Procedures are in place to make sure that all pupils are kept safe. These procedures are reviewed on a regular basis and shared with all members of staff. The school works very successfully with outside agencies and parents to ensure that pupils’ needs are met, especially those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. These pupils are supported by very skilled teachers and teaching assistants. Pupils’ progress is monitored very closely so that possible under achievement is avoided or quickly responded to. All pupils are valued as individuals and given opportunities to join in all the school’s activities. Academic guidance is very good, with appropriate targets set and reviewed,

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Grade: 1

very good attention to individual progress on a day to day basis, and feedback on work which gives points for improvement.

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Grade: 1

Leadership and management are at least good in all major respects and are exemplary in significant elements, as shown by their impact on the performance of the school. The headteacher is an outstanding leader who uses her wealth of experience to ensure that each individual achieves their potential. She has successfully steered the school through recent changes in the leadership team, often shouldering a heavy burden of responsibility herself. At the time of the inspection there was one vacancy for the leadership team. Existing senior staff support the headteacher very effectively and the whole staff team is focused on a common purpose. Following a period of change the school now recognises the need to consolidate the present leadership team. The school rigorously checks every pupil’s progress, looking for reasons for even the smallest level of underperformance compared with what the school expects.

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Grade: 1

Strategies are put in place to address any weaknesses identified, whether individual or in terms of particular groups. All pupils are equally valued and have full access to the opportunities that the school has to offer. The school’s contribution to community cohesion is outstanding. The school teaches pupils to accept diversity, understand each other and work together. Parent volunteers from all sections of the school community are recruited for events. The inclusive ethos in school and the strong sense of personal, social and moral responsibility which pupils develop prepares them well to be effective citizens. 7 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009 Governors are extremely capable and committed. They have an excellent knowledge of the school and implement their strategic role as critical friends of the school very well. 8 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 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: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 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: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 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 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? 11 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

23 January 2009 Dear Pupils, Inspection of Moss Side Primary School, Lancashire, PR26 7ST Thank you so much for welcoming the inspection team to your school recently. It was good to hear that you enjoy school so much. We were impressed by how hard you work and how you get on so well together. Your parents also told us how wonderful they think the school is. We found that yours is an outstanding school. You make rapid progress and achieve very high standards. You are very well cared for and you are known and valued as individuals. You make an excellent start in Reception as there are so many exciting things planned for your learning. Your attendance is excellent. You are extremely well mannered and very helpful. I know you are very proud of your school and truly care about each other. You are developing well into responsible young people. You are making excellent progress because of the exceedingly good teaching you receive. No

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

one is allowed to fall behind and everyone who needs to be is very well supported. The school plans really interesting things for you to learn and you have opportunities to try lots of different activities which make your learning more exciting. You are enthusiastic about after school clubs and activities. It was lovely to see so many of you enjoying clog dancing during the inspection! Your headteacher and staff run the school excellently, and they are determined to keep doing that and look for ways to make it even better. In the Foundation Stage teachers are going to look at ways of assessing progress to make sure that all the information they collect helps their planning. Your headteacher is going to work with all the senior staff to make sure that your school remains one of the best. We wish you every success in the future. Keep up the good work! Yours sincerely, Ruth James Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

12 of 12 Inspection Report: Moss Side Primary School, 21–22 January 2009

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