Ofsted 2005

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT

OVERALL EVALUATION

Woodberry Down is a very effective school where all pupils achieve very well. This is because it is led and managed very well and the quality of teaching and learning is consistently high. Pupils develop very good attitudes to school because they are looked after very well and their personal development is supported very efficiently. The school provides very good value for money.

The schools main strengths and weaknesses are:

Pupil achievement is very good throughout the school.

The headteacher is an inspirational leader and is very well supported by his deputy, his senior teacher and other key staff.

Teaching and learning are very good throughout the school.

The personal development of pupils is very effective and results in very positive attitudes towards school and good behaviour.

The curriculum is very carefully planned and very well enriched by a range of interesting activities. All pupils are fully included in the life of the school.

Provision for pupils with special educational needs and those for whom English is an additional language is very good.

All pupils are very well cared for and both pastoral and academic support is highly effective.

The school works very well with parents and links with the community are very strong.

The school has made very good improvement since the last inspection in June 2003 when it was judged to have serious weaknesses. All key areas identified have been rectified and there have also been improvements in all others aspects of the school. The school is still very well placed to make future improvements given the very strong teamwork of the staff and governors.

Overall achievement is very good from Nursery to Year 6 because the quality of teaching and learning is consistently very good. Most children start the Nursery at age three with very poor levels of attainment in all areas of learning. By the end of the Reception Year, children achieve very well but are still below the recommended levels of attainment in all areas of learning. This is because they start school with such very poor levels in both social development and speaking skills that their progression is only achieved in very small steps. Consistent gains in learning are made in Years 1 and 2 and achievement is very good. Inspection findings indicate that standards are average in speaking and listening, reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Despite facing much adversity from the outside environment, pupils continue to achieve very well in Years 3 to 6, and by the end of Year 6, standards in English are average and just below average in mathematics and science. This is a very good improvement since the last inspection and is the result of a successful whole-school drive to raise pupils achievement through much better teaching and learning. By the end of Year 2, standards in information and communication technology (ICT), history and design and technology meet national expectations, and standards in art and design exceed them. Standards in Years 3 to 6 exceed national expectations in art and design and meet them in ICT, design and technology, history and physical education. The requirements of the locally agreed syllabus are met in Year 6 and exceeded in Year 2. No judgement was made on standards in geography and music. Pupils identified with special educational needs and those for whom English is an additional language also achieve very well throughout the school because they are provided with very high quality support. There are no differences in the attainment or achievement of boys and girls or any particular ethnic minority group. However, it is important to note that the data comparing pupils prior attainment at the end of Year 2 in relation to similar schools must be viewed with caution because this school has very high levels of pupil mobility.

Pupils personal development is very good. It is promoted through the very good provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils have very positive attitudes to school and behave well in lessons and at playtimes. Attendance is satisfactory but, despite the very good efforts of the school, some pupils continue to be late for school

QUALITY OF EDUCATION

The school provides a very good education. Teaching is very good throughout the school. Very high standards of behaviour are always expected of the pupils and they are very effectively challenged through very stimulating resources and teaching methods. Teachers have a very good knowledge and understanding of the pupils and lessons are very well planned to ensure that all their needs are fully met. Very good use is made of time, and teaching assistants support pupils in their learning very effectively. Procedures for monitoring and checking pupils progress are very good and the pupils have a very clear understanding of what they need to do to improve their work. Provision for pupils with special educational needs and those for whom English is an additional language is very good. Equality of opportunity is very highly promoted and all pupils are fully included in all activities. The curriculum has been very well planned to ensure that it is meaningful for the pupils and it is very well enriched through special events, visits and trips. Personal, social and health education is planned very well and all pupils are very well cared for. Very good links have been created with parents and the local community.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Overall leadership and management are very good. The headteacher is an inspirational curriculum leader and exceptional teacher who works very closely with his very effective deputy and senior teacher to ensure that all pupils are treated fairly and are fully involved in the life of the school. Other senior staff lead and manage their areas of responsibility very efficiently. Governors are very involved in the life of the school and have a very detailed understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. All statutory requirements are met.

PARENTS AND PUPILS VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL

Parents are very happy with all aspects of school life and value the support they are given to access the information that is available to them. Pupils are very happy with their school. They particularly like their teachers, the wide range of activities on offer and the fact that all their concerns are listened to.

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED

The school has no major areas of weakness but needs to consolidate and celebrate the very good progress made since the last inspection and continue to raise standards in English, mathematics and science.