Archdiocese of Birmingham

Transcription

1 Archdiocese of Birmingham INSPECTION REPORT ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDSGROVE Inspection dates 18 th -19 th July 2012 Reporting Inspector Brenda Beale Inspection carried out under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005 Type of School Age range of pupils Number on roll 168 Appropriate authority Chair of governors School address Voluntary aided 3-11years The governing body Mrs A Alcock The Avenue Kidsgrove Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire Telephone number address Date of previous inspection November 2008 DFE School number 860/3462 Unique Reference Number office@st-johns-kidsgrove.staffs.sch.uk Headteacher Mrs Helen Butters MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TODAY

2 Evidence The inspection was carried out by 1 Diocesan Inspector. The focus of the inspection was on the effectiveness and use of the school s self evaluation of religious education (RE) and Catholic life. To validate the effectiveness of the school s selfevaluation of teaching and learning, the inspector observed 3 full RE lessons, 1 with the deputy headteacher. In addition the inspector completed a work scrutiny and held a discussion with pupils to evaluate the impact of teaching on their learning over time. She held meetings with the chair of governors, staff, and parish priest. She observed a Mass and 2 assemblies and undertook a learning walk to look at aspects of learning and teaching in RE, the presentation of the Catholic life of the school, and pupils behaviour. She looked at a range of evidence related to the school s self evaluation such as RAISEonline, the development plan, teachers planning, and learning journals. Alongside the validation of school self evaluation, the inspector gathered evidence about teaching, evidence which will be shared with other diocesan schools. Information about the school St John the Evangelist is a smaller than average Catholic primary school serving the parish of St John the Evangelist in Kidsgrove. The school draws from a mixed area of council and private housing and with an increasing level of social deprivation. The school operates on two sites approximately a mile apart. One site, which includes the privately funded 24 place nursery run by the governing body, caters for pupils aged three to seven. The other site caters for pupils aged seven to eleven. The number of pupils currently on roll is 168, of whom 48% are Catholic. The proportion of ethnic minority pupils is 22%; all pupils speak fluent English. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is below average. The proportion with special needs and/or disabilities is broadly average (18.5%). Attainment on entry is well below national expectations. Main Finding In its self evaluation the school judges that its Catholic life and most aspects of religious education are good. It judges that, despite progress being good, attainment in RE is satisfactory with some aspects of good. These judgements are wholly reliable. Since the last inspection the headteacher has taken on responsibility for two other schools but the Catholic life and RE at St John the Evangelist has remained a priority. The good quality of the Catholic life of the school has been maintained and some improvements made. There has been a more significant improvement to RE throughout the school. Monitoring and evaluation of RE is particularly strong and closely linked to improvement planning. The Catholic life is monitored less effectively but practices remain strong and the pupils spiritual, moral and vocational development is very good. School self evaluation Self evaluation at St John the Evangelist presents a predominantly accurate and realistic picture of where the school is in RE. Rigorous and systematic monitoring and adroit evaluation of the subject provides a clear picture of not only where the school is now but also what it needs to do to improve. The school has a good insight into the good provision it makes in terms of its Catholic life and is able to express the positive impact this has on the pupils. This tends to be descriptive and it does not have in place more formal processes for monitoring, evaluating and reporting this MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TODAY 2

3 aspect of school life. Nevertheless the headteacher, governors and senior leadership team are effective in setting clear direction and manageable targets for the Catholic life of the school that naturally lead to steady improvement and good quality education. Pupil and parent questionnaires about all aspects of school life do contain questions seeking views on Catholic life and RE and these are fed into the planning process. The new parish priest is keenly involved in the monitoring and evaluating of the provision, impact and pupil response to collective worship. This has led to some rapid developments, notably a change to the pattern of school Masses and the introduction of a fortnightly catechesis session with Key Stage 2 pupils. This has been well received and is greatly enjoyed by pupils and, as a result, teachers have already seen an improvement to pupil knowledge. Pupils behaviour is carefully monitored and strategies are put in place to support their moral and spiritual development. Governors are effective in the way that they make sure they are cognisant of the school s Catholic life. Governors are kept up to date through meetings with parents, school observations, link governor visits and meetings with subject leaders, reports from the headteacher and presentations to governors by the RE subject leader. The relationship between self-evaluation and improvement planning is good. Priorities and clear actions and success criteria are identified in development planning. Where necessary to aid the improvement of the Catholic life in-service sessions are provided for the staff. The school judges the leadership of religious education to be good. Although the deputy headheacher provides good leadership, the headteacher is also closely involved in monitoring and assessing the impact of provision. Pupils attainment is satisfactory with elements that are good. Pupils enter school with very little or no knowledge of the Faith and assessment procedures show that progress is good and at times better. Overall attainment is moving rapidly towards good as new initiatives continue to be embedded and gaps between actual and expected attainment are closed. The school improvement plan is a key document in improving overall performance and is produced following analysis of lesson observations, attainment results, book trawls pupil and parent interviews. The key aims, as highlighted in the school improvement plan, have resulted in a greater awareness of raising standards for each pupil, linked to in depth data analysis, book trawls, observations and pupil interviews. Evaluation of the quality of teaching and learning is stringent, ongoing and effective and includes an evaluation of the provision made for assessment opportunities. It has a positive impact on raising standards, and enhances learning in RE. There is effective use of rigorous tracking systems that leads to accurate analysis of pupil progress. Progress and learning of all groups and individuals is secure and recorded within the tracking system. Overall effectiveness of the school 1 Pupils attainment is satisfactory with elements of good. Overall attainment is moving rapidly towards good as new initiatives continue to be embedded and gaps between actual and expected attainment closed. The impact of the training received for literacy is now beginning to be seen as standards in the independent writing skills of pupils improves within RE. This has enable pupils to express their knowledge, understanding and ability to reflect on meaning more fluently. There is evidence of accelerated progress in parts of the school. In discussion the pupils at the end of 1 As the quality of the school self evaluation has been affirmed, the judgements in this section of the report conform to those of the school. MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TODAY 3

4 both key stages they can talk with confidence about the scriptures, the teachings of the Church, the liturgical year and how we are called to live our lives. Children are deeply immersed in the Catholic life of St John s. The children s input was central to the decisions over the new vision statement, Growing and learning in the love of Jesus. Pupils participate fully in issues that affect them. The school council is rapidly becoming an effective pupil voice. Pupils response to and participation in the school s collective worship is good. Prayers said during Mass and assemblies are written and read by the children resulting in a developing understanding of the importance of prayer in daily life and a growing awareness of the different forms of prayer. The school still needs to extend the knowledge and experience of formal prayer for pupils. Children show empathy for the thoughts and ideas of others and have a keen understanding of the importance of forgiveness. They respond well to the variety of opportunities which the school offers for their spiritual, moral and vocational development. The headteacher and her senior leadership team are effective in setting clear direction and manageable targets for the Catholic life of the school that naturally lead to improvement and a secure Catholic ethos. Governors are effective in the way that they set the tone and philosophy of the school and make themselves available to parents. Many are known by the pupils too due to their support and presence at school events. Governor surgeries are about to start in school to give parents an additional opportunity to access the governors along with a governors post box. Leadership of RE is good. There is a strong sense of purpose and rigorous monitoring systems ensure that the staff have a clear understanding of the current effectiveness of provision and its impact on pupil attainment. Evaluation of the quality of teaching and learning, which includes provision of assessment opportunities, is ongoing and effective planning and monitoring has a positive impact on raising standards, and enhances learning in RE. Teaching of RE is good overall. The teachers have good subject knowledge of RE and all staff are supported by an effective RE subject leader. Planning is clear and effective with appropriate learning objectives, resources and learning outcomes. There are high expectations of the pupils, and planning is linked to the diocesan RE strategy criteria for assessment. Assessment is good and continues to develop leading to a more focussed curriculum and tighter planning. Curriculum provision is adequate and is enhanced by the spiritual and worship life of the school. Relationship and family life is taught formally in all classes in the summer term and is delivered specifically through the beliefs of the Catholic Church, using approved schemes. The school provides many quality opportunities for the children to worship together and the recent introduction of a fortnightly catechesis session led by the parish priest has proved to be very effective as a vehicle for prayer, worship and learning. St John the Evangelist is a good Catholic school in which all pupils benefit from the strong moral and spiritual values that underpin all that it does. Religious education is good and pupils thrive in a strong Catholic ethos. Recommendations Establish a liturgy planning group, ideally to include pupils, a senior leader and the parish priest, in order to develop the range and knowledge of formal MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TODAY 4

5 prayer and involve the pupils more fully in the planning and preparation of liturgy. When using the diocesan RE strategy, make clear to pupils the learning targets for each unit by inserting them in pupils books or displaying them on the wall. Adopt more formal systems for auditing and monitoring the Catholic life of the school. MAKING CHRIST KNOWN TODAY 5

6 Archdiocese of Birmingham Diocesan Education Service July 2012 Diocesan Education Service, Don Bosco House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3EA Dear Parents and Carers Section 48 (Diocesan) Inspection of St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School, 18 th 19 th July 2012 I am writing this letter to share with you the findings of the diocesan inspection of your children s school. Diocesan inspection now explores in detail the school s own view of itself as expressed in its self-evaluation. For this reason, much of the report is more technical than used to be the case. You are still entitled to have a copy of the full report should you want one and it will be available on the school website or by request from the school office. The school judged itself to be good in its Catholic life and most aspects of RE. The inspection found that this judgement is fully justified because: The children benefit greatly from the Catholic life of the school. The children s behaviour is good, the way they treat each other is very good, and they have a good understanding of the importance of forgiveness and they practise it in their daily lives. The way in which the children respond to and take part in prayer and worship life of the school is also good. The children have a secure knowledge of scripture, the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Faith and how to apply this to the way they live their lives. RE is taught well and pupils with learning difficulties/disabilities are supported well by skilled teaching assistants. The children respond well to good opportunities the school provides for collective worship. The school is greatly supported in its work by the parish priest and the parish catechist. To make RE and the Catholic life of the school even better we have recommended that the school establishes a liturgy planning group, ideally to include pupils, a senior leader and the parish priest, in order to develop the range and knowledge of formal prayer and involve the pupils more fully in the planning and preparation of liturgy. When using the diocesan RE strategy teachers should make clear to pupils the learning targets for each unit by inserting them in pupils books or displaying them on the wall. The school needs to adopt more formal systems for auditing and monitoring the Catholic life of the school. The children were very well behaved and welcoming and we thank you for the part you play in supporting your children on their journey of faith. Yours sincerely Brenda Beale Diocesan Inspector Making Christ Known Today Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity No