School Profile 2007/2008

What have been our successes this year?

The Ofsted Judgement of March 2007, that we are a very good school with some outstanding features and no major weaknesses, was validated in January 2008 by our LEA School Improvement Partner. We were also formally congratulated by the Area Director for Education and Inclusion for having been categorised as “at least good” every year for the past five years. Our successes over the past year include:

  • Being awarded “Healthy School” status
  • Opportunities for our Gifted and Talented pupils to take part in art and music events
  • Being instrumental in establishing an active cluster group network for Co-ordinators of Gifted and Talented provision from seven local schools
  • Organising a very successful May Fayre in our village, which was sponsored by local businesses and by families and the community
  • Taking part in The National Gallery’s “Take one Picture” programme.
  • Parent Information sessions led by the Headteacher and Foundation Stage teachers
  • Supporting the setting up of “Triple P” Positive Parenting sessions in our village
  • Another successful Book Week with the visiting author Paul Geraghty
  • Arts week, supported by a visiting Historian
What are we trying to improve?

We are committed to maintaining a culture of high expectation in which children become confident, independent, pro-active learners. To achieve this, we will:

  • Build upon our strong and effective Special Educational Needs provision by adding rigorous intervention programmes and a nurture group
  • Further develop the attainment of our most able writers
  • Continue to refine our systems for tracking children's achievement in order to set challenging targets and ensure that every child makes the best possible progress in relation to their starting points
  • Continue to improve and develop the quality of the school environment
How have our results changed over time?
In 2007, the pupil's attainment in English, Mathematics and Science was above the national average and the Average Points Score for all subjects was significantly above. Attainment in Mathematics was well above the national average, being on an upward trend. The school continues to demonstrate that, year on year all children make at least good progress in relation to their starting points. The nature of "results" has changed in recent years at Key Stage One, and children's levels of attainment are now based on a much more substantial evidence base gathered across the year in the core subjects.
How are we making sure we are meeting the learning needs of individual pupils?
We believe that children's personal, social and emotional wellbeing underpins their success as learners. We therefore have rigorous and effective systems in place, from The Foundation Stage onwards, to support children's development in these areas. Children's progress in personal and social development is particularly strong, as demonstrated in The Foundation Stage Profile.
We ensure that the learning needs of individuals and identified specific groups are met by effective systems of assessment, tracking and target-setting, as well as a strong partnership with parents. (This includes support when necessary for children with English as their second language.) The philosophies of Personalised Learning and the “Every Child Matters” Agenda lie at the heart of the schools vision and ethos.
How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

"Personal support for children is outstanding. They know to whom to turn if they are worried, and any individual difficulty or incident is treated seriously. Child protection and safeguarding procedures are secure." (Ofsted)

  • We have achieved Healthy School status and are now actively pursuing enhanced status
  • Our food and nutrition policies, with our PSHE curriculum, ensure that children and parents understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle
  • We support the above by providing regular, varied opportunities for physical activity, and by making fresh fruit, vegetables and milk available to all children every day
  • A daily choice of menu for school dinners – meals cooked to order a daily basis, and encouragement towards a healthy packed lunch for those preferring this option
  • Behaviour in the school is excellent, promoted by positive reinforcement and clear expectations which are shared by the whole school community.
  • Our regular Golden Award assemblies recognise and celebrate the personal and social achievements of every child.
  • All staff receive regular, certificated emergency first aid training, as well as instruction in the use of epipens and inhalers.
What activities are available to pupils?
  • A broad and enriched curriculum
  • Learning workshops (child-initiated and resourced learning)
  • Trailblazers activities and awards
  • Regular off-site activities and visits
  • Themed weeks (Eg. Book week, Arts Week, Body Awareness Week)
  • After-school clubs for year Two children
  • Shared After-school clubs with Year 3 children
  • Visits from artists, musicians and other performers and community groups
  • Participation in County events such as The Recorder and Vocal Festivals.
  • Cluster group activities for Gifted and Talented pupils
  • A Multi-skills sports curriculum to develop agility, balance and co-ordination
  • Annual school sports day
  • Regular on-site bookshop attended by children and parents
  • Environmental learning in the school garden
How are we working with parents and the community?

We have:

  • An active PTA
  • Community representatives on The Governing Body
  • A large number of regular parent helpers and community volunteers
  • Close links with The Junior School, pre-school groups and Nurseries to ensure seamless transition
  • Regular parents newsletters and Curriculum Information leaflets
  • "Sharing our Learning" home contact books for all pupils
  • Regular visits by Portsmouth Football club
  • Links with Hollywater School
  • Active cluster group networks with local schools
  • Regular parent information sessions
  • A school website
  • An annual Open Day, followed by individual show-rounds for prospective parents and pupils
  • Regular parent consultation sessions and a full, end-of year report for each child
  • Weekly after-school look-around sessions
  • A traditional Harvest Festival, taking gifts to senior members of the local community
  • Regular fundraising events to support other charities
  • Regular opportunities to invite senior members of the community into school
  • Regular opportunities to distribute and respond to parent questionnaires
  • Christmas singing at the local garden centre
What have pupils told us about the school and what have we done as a result?

We listen to pupils' opinions and suggestions during regular School Council meetings and Circle Times, acting upon them accordingly. Some examples of actions taken are:

  • Learning Workshops to promote children's independent learning choices
  • Picnic lunches
  • New activities and games for lunch time play
  • The installation of play equipment on the playground
  • Celebration assemblies to showcase children's extra-curricular talents and achievements
  • Children’s "top table" on Friday lunchtimes to reward good lunchtime behaviour

Pupil voice is at the centre of everything we do as we believe that children must take ownership of and be proud of their school.
What do our pupils do after leaving this school?
98% of pupils go to Liss Junior School, with whom we have a programme of transition arrangements in order to make the children's move a positive and exciting time. A very small number transfer to the private sector or to other primary or junior schools. In all cases, we will liaise with receiving schools to support the children at this important time. Groups of children from the Junior School regularly return to share their work in small groups with our children.
What have we done in response to Ofsted?
  • Ofsted recognised the impact of "relatively recent, but highly effective robust and rigorous assessment systems" which are "effectively monitored and moderated" and "are resulting in pupils making outstanding rates of progress". We have worked, since Ofsted visited, to ensure that these systems are sustainably embedded in our practice and are consistent across the school. We are in the process of introducing Assessment Manager 7 in order to support this.
  • Ofsted suggested that, whilst the Governing Body is effective, it should improve the target setting process to include clearly defined success criteria in order to measure over time the impact of The School Development Plan on children’s learning. Our response to this is explicitly reflected in the current School Development Plan.