Herstmonceux Parish, East Sussex

Herstmonceux CE Primary School:
the 10-11 May 2001 OFSTED

Summary Inspection Report [excerpts]
© Crown copyright 2001

to learn how to obtain a copy of the full Report, CLICK HERE.

read about the Primary School on the Herstmoncex Parish History & Environment Page

[The excerpts chosen for this webpage were selected to reflect the character and balance of the Summary Inspection Report by the Herstmonceux Parish website webmaster, who takes sole responsibility for making the selection. AG 17 July 2001.]


PART A: SUMMARY OF THE REPORT

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL

[CLICK HERE to see this section of the Summary Inspection Report]

HOW GOOD THE SCHOOL IS

This is a very good school. The headteacher provides very good leadership and clear direction for the school and the quality of the teaching is also very good. These factors have given rise to considerable improvement in the standards achieved by the pupils.... The findings of the inspection show that standards are well above average in English, mathematics and science. The school gives very good value for money.

What the school does well

  • The headteacher provides very good leadership....
  • Pupils in Year 6 achieve very good standards in English, mathematics and science because of the consistently high expectations which the school has of them.
  • The quality of teaching and the quality of pupils' learning at Key Stages 1 and 2 are very good and help pupils to achieve well.
  • The pupils' attitudes, behaviour, relationships and personal development are very good and have a significant impact on their attainment and progress.
  • The very good provision for pupils' spiritual, moral and social development greatly enriches their learning.
  • The very good quality provision for pupils with special educational needs helps them to reach good standards relative to their previous attainment.

What could be improved

  • Some aspects of the management of the school, for example the role of the assistant headteachers, which is not fully effective in shaping the direction of the schoo.
  • The provision for children in the Foundation Stage, particularly the quality of the learning environment, which does not meet the recommendations of the national guidance for children of this age.
  • Provision for the pupils' cultural development, which, although good overall, does not adequately develop their awareness of Britain as a multicultural society.

The areas for improvement will form the basis of the governors' action plan.

....

STANDARDS

.... Pupils' overall performance in the national tests has improved significantly over the past four years, and at a rate higher than that seen nationally. In 2000, all of the pupils in Year 6 reached Level 4 (the national average) in all three subjects. Fifty per cent of the pupils attained above average standards (Level 5) in English, 36 per cent did so in mathematics, and 43 per cent in science. These results show that the school makes equally effective provision for the most able pupils and for those who have special educational needs.... In Year 6, standards are well above average in English, mathematics and science. The school has successfully focused on raising the attainment of more able pupils in science. Standards are also well above average in these subjects in Year 2, where the school has concentrated on helping more pupils to reach high standards in reading. This has also been successful in raising attainment overall. Throughout the school, pupils attain high standards in information and communication technology, as a result of the improvements in teaching and the installation of a computer suite. Pupils' work in art that is displayed around the school is also of a high standard. Children in the Foundation Stage are on course to attain above average standards in all areas of learning by the end of the Reception Year....

PUPILS' ATTITUDES AND VALUES

Aspect Comment
Attitudes to the school Very good. Pupils are very enthusiastic in lessons and eager to    participate in all activities. They show interest and enjoyment in their work and take a pride in their achievements.
Behaviour, in and out of classrooms Very good. Pupils behave very well in class and around the school. They are courteous to visitors and polite to each other and to adults.
Personal development and relationships Very good. Pupils are keen to take responsibility and are quick to show initiative. The relationships between all members of the school community are based on respect and consideration.
Attendance Good. Attendance is above the national average....

Pupils' very positive attitudes and behaviour help them to get the most out of school and the very good relationships that exist help to create a happy school where learning flourishes.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

.... The quality of teaching and learning is very good, overall. All lessons observed during the inspection were at least good, and 63 per cent were very good or excellent.... The quality of teaching and learning in English and mathematics is very good. The teaching of the basic skills of literacy and numeracy is very good.... Teachers' assessments of pupils' attainment and progress are very good and enable them to plan appropriately challenging work to meet the needs of pupils of all abilities. Teachers make lessons interesting and exciting for pupils, and this sustains their interest and involvement....

....

PARENTS' AND CARERS' VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL

What pleases parents most What parents would like to see improved
  • The quality of the leadership and management of the school.
  • The high expectations which the school has of their children.
  • They are comfortable approaching the school with questions or problems.
  • The quality of the teaching
  • Their children like school.
  • The way the school helps their children to become mature and responsible
  • The good progress which their children make.
  • A few parents expressed concern abou the large size of some classes.

The findings of the inspection agree with the positive views expressed by the parents. Although some classes contain over thirty pupils, this is not having an adverse effect on the quality of education provided or the standards achieved by the pupils because of the high quality of the teaching and the ratio of adults to pupils during lessons.


Reporting inspector: Mrs Carole Skinner 23160
Inspection number: 193481
Short inspection carried out under section 10 of the School Inspections Act 1996

© Crown copyright 2001

Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Schools Inspections Act 1996, the school must provide a copy of this report and/or its summary 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.

[There is also a separate Report "on the ethos and collective worship of the school", because it is a CE (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School.]

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