Chilton County Primary School

Chilton Primary School Inspection report

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123057 Unique Reference Number Oxfordshire Local Authority 327841 Inspection number 14 July 2009 Inspection date Roger Whittaker 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 3–11 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 220 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 John Rae Chair Mrs Christine Dunsdon Headteacher 4 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 Downside School address Chilton Didcot OX11 0PQ 01235 834263 Telephone number 01235 828486 Fax number

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3–11 Age group 14 July 2009 Inspection date 327841 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: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 2009

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. The inspection evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and the effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and investigated the following areas:

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Introduction

■ the achievement and standards of current pupils

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Introduction

Evidence was gathered by observing lessons, scrutinising pupils' work, and examining assessment information, school documents and responses from parents to the inspection questionnaire. Discussions were held with the headteacher, teachers, pupils and the Chair of the Governing Body. Other aspects of the school's work were not investigated in detail, but the 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

This is a rural primary school which serves a number of villages. Its roll has increased since the last inspection. Most pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils joining and leaving school at other than usual times is relatively high. A below average proportion of pupils has learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The majority of these have moderate learning difficulties. The proportion entitled to free school meals is below average. The school has an Early Years Foundation Stage consisting of one Nursery class and one Reception class. Children in the Nursery attend on a part-time basis. The school runs breakfast and after-school clubs.

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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: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 2009

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Grade: 1

This is an outstanding school. Pupils of all abilities are consistently helped to reach extremely high levels of academic achievement and are supported in becoming happy, confident, caring individuals. Parents contribute substantially to their children's learning and are full of praise for the school, with one describing it as 'a lovely school, very well run, great teachers and very happy'. The personal development and well-being of pupils are outstanding. Pupils are encouraged to respect each other and to become independent learners. Behaviour throughout the school is exemplary and relationships are excellent. As a result, instances of bullying are minor and are extremely rare, and pupils feel very secure in school, trusting adults to resolve any problems quickly. Pupils love coming to school, with one saying 'I don't understand why there have to be school holidays, I love school so much.' Their enjoyment of school, coupled with the support

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Grade: 1

of parents, is reflected in the very high levels of attendance. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to lead healthy lives and are encouraged to exercise through physical education lessons and lunchtime physical activities. They take responsibility by sharing their views of how to improve the school community through a very effective school council. For example, they instigated the planning of the new cycle shed. They have high levels of basic skills and confidence, and are therefore extremely well prepared for the next stage in their education. Their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils have an excellent understanding of the global world through the school's 'international programme', which has strong partnerships with schools in Europe and Africa. When they start school, most children are achieving in line with what is expected for their age. They make excellent progress, both in their academic and personal development. Progress

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Grade: 1

continues throughout the school, so that at the end Year 6 pupils achieve well above national averages in reading, writing and mathematics. This excellent progress is supported by very effective strategies to improve speaking and listening skills throughout the school. Pupils who have a learning difficulty and/or disability are extremely well supported, and make the same outstanding progress as their peers. This aspect of the school is particularly valued by parents, several of whom commented on the dedication and knowledge of staff in ensuring that each child achieves as much as possible. The breakfast and after-school clubs run smoothly and effectively. They provide continuity for children and are beneficial to parents. Teaching is outstanding and this, as well as the excellent curriculum, has led to the consistently high academic achievement. Highly trained teaching assistants also have a very positive impact

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Grade: 1

on pupils' pastoral care, enjoyment of school, and academic achievement. Lessons are very well planned to take account of different abilities, and the pace is excellent. Teachers are very creative in their lesson planning, and consequently pupils enjoy lessons and are regularly actively involved in learning. Pupils are very keen to learn through a curriculum that is being continually adapted to their needs. The care, guidance and support that pupils receive are outstanding. The pastoral care is excellent, as all adults are extremely knowledgeable about the pupils and their families. Safeguarding procedures are robust and regularly reviewed. Pupils are increasingly aware of how well they are doing and how to improve, because they receive regular feedback from their teachers. Leadership and management at all levels are outstanding. The excellent headteacher works with dedication and enthusiasm. She is extremely well supported by the highly regarded deputy

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Grade: 1

4 of 9 Inspection Report: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 2009 headteacher and the rest of her staff. There is a great sense of teamwork, and all staff continue to strive for even greater success for their pupils. As a result, the school has an outstanding capacity to improve further. Governors are knowledgeable and supportive, yet always ready to ask challenging questions of the school. The school has recently introduced a more strategic approach to its work with the local, national and international communities. This has enabled it to evaluate its contribution to community cohesion more effectively and to inform future provision. As a result, the school's contribution to community cohesion is now outstanding.

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Grade: 2

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage achieve well. They enter the Nursery with skills and abilities in line with those expected for their age, and they make good progress overall. However, children make a slow start to their learning in the Nursery class because many activities organised for them cause them to be passive, and adults in the classroom are not always deployed effectively to develop their social and learning skills. As children progress through the Nursery stage and into the Reception class, they make good progress in all areas of learning because teachers take steps to involve them creatively in activities. Consequently, by the time children leave the Early Years Foundation Stage, they reach levels above those generally found for their age in all areas of learning. There is a good balance between activities in classes that adults lead and those that children choose for themselves. Consequently, many children learn to work and play independently and

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Grade: 2

cooperatively while they enjoy their learning. Classrooms are attractive and stimulating, and children have good access to resources they might need. The outdoor spaces have been imaginatively developed to provide high-quality places of learning and fun. Staff have a good understanding of how well children are doing, and respond imaginatively to their interests, adapting plans to take account of their individual needs. During the inspection, children were excited and stimulated by making treasure chests in preparation for the end-of-term Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 'Pirate day'. The leaders and managers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are effectively ensuring that children make good progress overall. However, the school recognises that during the induction period, children get off to a slow start, and that the transition at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage into Year 1 is not

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What the school should do to improve further

■ Improve provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage, especially at the induction stage. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 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. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 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?

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

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: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

22 July 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of Chilton Primary School,Didcot,OX11 0PQ Thank you for making us so welcome when we inspected your school recently. We were impressed with how well you behaved around the school, and in particular how hard you work in classes. We enjoyed visiting your classes and talking to you about your work and the other exciting things you do at school. Chilton Primary School is an outstanding school, which helps you to make excellent progress from the time you join the Nursery to the time that you leave at the end of Year 6. The headteacher and staff take extremely good care of you and make sure that you are safe. They pay close attention to your personal needs. The Nursery and Reception classes help you to get off to a good start in your school life. You then make outstanding progress through Years 1 to 6 because you have lots of different learning experiences provided by the excellent teachers.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

You leave at the end of Year 6 extremely well prepared and ready for your next school. So that your school can get even better, I have asked the headteacher to make sure that you get off to a quick start as part of the induction programme when you enter the Nursery class. Yours faithfully Roger Whittaker Lead Inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Chilton Primary School, 14 July 2009

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