Herne View Church of England Primary

Greenfylde Church of England First School Inspection report

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123764 Unique Reference Number Somerset Local Authority 327981 Inspection number 24 March 2009 Inspection date Stephen Lake 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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First Type of school Voluntary controlled School category 4–9 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll 305 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 Gordan Twinberrow Chair John Jeffery 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 Silver Street School address Ilminster TA19 0DS 01460 52686 Telephone number 01460 55780 Fax number

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4–9 Age group 24 March 2009 Inspection date 327981 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: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 2009

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Introduction

■ The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors. The inspectors evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school and investigated the following issues: ■ Attainment and achievement across the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, but especially in Key Stage 2 and for pupils in receipt of free school meals or whose first language is not English. ■ The quality of the provision for children in the Reception classes, especially in personal and social development. ■ How well the school promotes community cohesion.

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Introduction

Evidence was gathered from discussions with the headteacher, chair of governors, pupils and staff, visits to classes and a scrutiny of pupils' work, observation of other aspects of the school day such as break-time, an analysis of parents' questionnaires, and school documentation, including data on pupils' progress, records of visits by other external assessors and minutes of meetings. 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 larger than average school, serving mainly the town of Ilminster. Around one quarter of the children are in the Early Years Foundation Stage of education. The proportion of girls is larger than in most schools. The proportion of children from minority ethnic groups is less than in most schools, as is the proportion who do not have English as their first language. No pupils have a statement of special educational needs and the proportion of pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities is well below average.

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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: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 2009

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Grade: 1

Greenfylde Church of England First School is an outstanding school. It enables pupils to achieve very well and attain high standards. Parents are full of praise for the school and the excellent leadership of the headteacher. A large number of parents wrote in support of the school, one of whom said, '... the teaching staff encourage each child to reach their full potential'. Another said, 'Our children's academic achievements to date have exceeded our expectations.' Children start school with skills well below those normally found at that age. The outstanding teaching, together with a high quality curriculum, ensures that pupils make excellent progress. By the time they leave at the end of Year 4, standards are well above those normally expected at this age. Standards are exceptionally high in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 2. Excellent procedures for checking on the work of the school are used effectively to

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Grade: 1

identify areas for improvement and raise standards. For example, teachers recognised that pupils in Years 3 and 4 were not making as much progress as in Years 1 and 2. Extremely effective steps have been taken to remedy this by checking on what pupils need to do to improve their learning and then setting challenging but achievable targets for them. Pupils in Year 3 and 4 now make excellent progress due to the stimulating and motivating teaching. Pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive excellent support from talented teaching assistants. As a result, they are fully included in lessons and make similar progress to other pupils. The curriculum provision is excellent, with a wide range of extra activities, visits and visitors. Pupils and parents speak with enthusiasm about the way that teachers make learning interesting and fun. Pupils take advantage of the many opportunities provided to keep fit and enjoy sport.

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Grade: 1

They understand why good food is important and know how to eat healthily. Recent changes to the curriculum, such as the focus on developing pupils' social and emotional attitudes, make a significant contribution to pupils' outstanding personal development, especially their excellent spiritual, moral and social development. The high quality provision enables pupils to develop an awareness of others and an understanding of feelings and emotions. Pupils' cultural development is good. Although they have a strong understanding of how people in other countries live, their understanding of the rich diversity of cultures found in Britain remains a comparative weakness. The school has identified this and their draft strategy for promoting community cohesion outlines ways in which pupils can be helped to learn more about different cultures, faiths and religions in Britain. Behaviour is excellent. A calm and purposeful atmosphere permeates the school. Pupils say

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Grade: 1

that they enjoy school immensely and this is evident in their very positive attitudes to learning and the respect that they show for adults in the school and each other. They are keen to take part in all the activities provided. Surprisingly, attendance remains only average. The strenuous efforts of the school to improve attendance are limited because a small but significant group of parents continue to take their children on holiday during term time. Pupils are caring and considerate to one another, helping each other whenever possible. They contribute very well to the smooth running of the school and, in doing so, gain valuable skills that, together with the high standards attained, help them prepare for their future economic well-being. Parents are rightly impressed by the very high quality care and guidance in this school. Pupils feel safe and, as a result of the excellent guidance, know how to stay safe. Teachers work very closely

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Grade: 1

with teaching assistants and plan carefully to ensure that the needs of pupils are met. Good quality questioning encourages pupils to think and reflect. Marking helps pupils know what 4 of 9 Inspection Report: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 2009 they need to do next to improve their work. The systems for recording how well pupils are doing have recently been improved to ensure that the progress of different groups of pupils can be monitored. This is enabling these pupils to receive guidance and support matched very closely to their needs. High quality partnerships with other schools and the local authority agencies ensure that any pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive appropriate additional support. Parents feel closely involved in the school and the vast majority feel that they are well informed about how well their child is doing. Pupils appreciate the excellent

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Grade: 1

teaching and speak highly of the help that they get from teachers and teaching assistants. Inspectors agree with parents who feel that the significant improvement that has taken place since the last inspection reflects the excellent leadership and management of the headteacher and senior staff. Governors support the school extremely well. They have an excellent understanding of the strengths and areas for development through their effective systems for monitoring the work of the school. Budget management is exemplary as governors strive to balance curriculum needs against the difficulty of maintaining an old building that is rapidly showing signs of not being fit for purpose. All statutory requirements are met, although, despite the good quality efforts to promote community cohesion, the governors have yet to approve and adopt the draft policy and strategy for this area. The very significant improvements made

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Grade: 1

since the last inspection clearly demonstrate that the school has an excellent capacity to improve further.

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Grade: 1

Children make a very good start in this school. The transition is eased by the strong links with playschools and the Children's Centre. The environment in the Reception classes and the high quality outdoor area is stimulating and exciting. Nevertheless, the school is aware that the old and rambling accommodation for the Early Years Foundation Stage makes further improvement to the environment difficult to achieve. The excellent teamwork between teachers and teaching assistants ensures that the needs of the children are met consistently. Teachers are skilled at ensuring a good balance between direct teaching and opportunities for children to learn through purposeful play. The expertise and skill of the adults and the rigorous systems for checking on progress mean that all individuals are gently but effectively challenged to achieve of their best. This sets the tone for the rest of the school. A parent of a child in Reception summed this up

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Grade: 1

by saying, 'I think this is a brilliant school; it is an absolute delight to have my youngest start her education at this fantastic school.' Children are really motivated to learn and all engage in activities. They clearly enjoy learning because of the well-paced lessons and are eager to talk about what they are doing. The excellent teaching ensures that children make outstanding progress to achieve the expected levels by the time they start Year 1.

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What the school should do to improve further

■ In light of the school's undoubted success this is what the school should do to improve further: ■ Draw together and formalise the existing good practice on community cohesion and ensure that governors approve the draft policy and strategy ■ Provide pupils with greater opportunities to learn about the diversity of cultures in Britain. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 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: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 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. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 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 3 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 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? 8 of 9 Inspection Report: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 2009

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

25 March 2009 Dear Pupils Inspection of Greenfylde C of E First School, Ilminster TA19 0DS Thank you for making us welcome when we came to look at your school. You gave us a lot of help in finding out about the school. We were very impressed with the polite way that you spoke with us and told us about your learning. Your school is outstanding, and we can see why you enjoy school so much. Here are just a few of the things that we liked about your school:

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ You make outstanding progress in your learning and by the time you leave the school at the end of Year 4, you are doing better in reading, writing and mathematics than many other children your age. ■ You learn so well because the teaching is excellent. Your teachers and other adults make learning fun for you. ■ The school has really good ways of checking how well you are learning and then helping you get even better. ■ The headteacher and other senior teachers do an outstanding job in running your school. They have excellent ways of checking what is working and how to improve the school. ■ The governors (the other adults who are responsible for the school) do a good job in making sure you have good teachers and enough equipment.

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

■ There are only a few little things that we have asked the school to do to help keep your learning as good as it is: ■ We have asked the governors to make sure they know and agree what is being done to help you learn about other people in Britain and the rest of the world. ■ We have also asked teachers to find more ways to help you find out about all the different groups of people in Britain and how they live. Thank you again for all your help. With kind regards Stephen Lake Lead inspector 9 of 9 Inspection Report: Greenfylde Church of England First School, 24 March 2009

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