Age range: 3-7
Number of pupils: 304
Head teacher: Mrs Janet Foster
Chair of governors: Mrs S Cantwell
What have been our successes this year?
This has been another extremely successful year for the school and the leadership team and school improvement partner continue to judge the school as Outstanding.
The children and staff have worked hard, the children have made very good progress across the curriculum and the Year 2 children have met, and in many cases exceeded, the targets set for them in the statutory assessments.
The school offers excellent extended school provision including numerous extra-curricular activities that are very well supported and valued by children and parents. There have been many opportunities for parents and families to share in the children's learning and get involved in the life of the school.
This year the work of our Sure Start Children's Centre (The BEAK) has continued to develop and is a great asset to the community and also those of Edenthorpe and Barnby Dun.
We achieved the Inclusion Chartermark which celebrates our commitment to inclusion and recognises the quality of learning provided for all pupils. In addition the school has recently successfully retained the Basic Skills Award and has developed effective outdoor learning resources and practice.
What are we trying to improve?
This year we are aiming to further raise our standards in writing, particularly focussing on the attainment of more able pupils.. We are also keen to consolidate the improvements made linked to personalised learning and children being involved in formative assessment. This year we will be reviewing our learning and teaching policy and reviewing our curriculum. We are committed to providing a quality curriculum which is based on the first hand experiences, allows children to develop skills and provides opportunities for self-directed and cross-curricular learning. Extending our provision of high quality outdoor learning and completing action research related to listening skills and other priorities.
Our Children's Centre, named 'The BEAK', is having a very positive impact and we are continually working hard to further develop services to meet the core offer and provide multi-agency support for children which meet the needs of the families and particularly those with children under 5 in the local community.
We have implemented 15 hours flexible provision for nursery pupils and will be evaluating the impact throughout the year. We are also developing 'pupil voice' in school and will soon be assessed for the 'Investors in Pupils' award.
How have our results changed over time?
The annual assessments at the end of Year 2 for 2010 were extremely pleasing.
- Targets were exceeded at Level 2+ in writing and reading and achieved in maths
- Targets at 2b+ were exceeded in reading, achieved in writing and slightly exceeded in maths
- At level 3 targets were met in writing and significantly exceeded in reading, however, the level 3 target for Maths was not quite achieved due to the changes to the assessment criteria.
Attainment at all levels continues to be significantly above LA and national results.
We are still aiming to improve further the attainment in writing, particularly at the higher levels, as along with many schools this is the weakest area.
Tracking indicates that children with Special Educational Needs have generally made very good progress due to the excellent support they have received from parents and the staff team. Children identified as very able achieved highly.
Children in the Foundation Stage have again attained very well and the majority have achieved the standards that are expected of them. Assessments indicate that they have benefitted greatly from a lively play based curriculum, active learing and rigorous teaching and learning.
How are we making sure that every child gets teaching to meet their individual needs?
The school community works very hard to ensure that the individual needs of all learners are met.
Children are treated as individuals and we match work carefully to their ages, abilities and aptitudes. Lessons are planned to take account of different levels of learning and cater well for all children according to their individual needs. Learners are told how well they are doing, are set individual targets for improvement and progress is carefully tracked and monitored.
Praise, encouragement and rewards are consistently used to help pupils see the importance of working hard and learning well.
Parents are welcomed into the school and are actively encouraged to enter into a real partnership with us.
All children access a broad, high quality curriculum enabling them to develop knowledge, skills and understanding and become successful learners.
The particular needs of groups of pupils are well met and there are high quality learning opportunities provided for all children including those with special needs, and those who are very able or display particular talents.
The school support staff team support learning in the classrooms and provide additional support for groups of pupils who have particular needs.
What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?
The school takes the views of the children very seriously and has established strategies for hearing their voices both formally and informally.
Our School Forum meets regularly and is composed of representatives from all the Key Stage 1 classes. They meet to discuss their ideas and any issues and are the line of communication to each class. A member of the teaching staff enthusiastically takes responsibility for their work and the further development of the Forum.
Amongst other things the Forum has discussed was how to improve our school logos and they organised for all the children in school to contribute to the new designs. The logos are now on all our uniform and letterheads.They have also helped to introduce structured lunchtime games and plan events to raise money for others e.g Children in need. The Forum has a key role to play in our pursuit of the 'Investors in Pupils' award.
During our last inspection the members of the Forum spoke confidently to inspectors and provided an excellent contribution and insight into the development and work of the school from the children's perspective.
We also have 2 members of our Forum representing our school on a joint Doncaster Schools Pupil Council.
How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?
Our school is totally committed to the good health and the welfare of all our children.
We provide:
> A caring, committed staff who nuture and support the development of the whole child
> Staff who have all completed First Aid, Fire Safety, Safeguarding and E Safety Training
> A clear, consistently applied behaviour policy based on positive behaviour management
> Rigorous risk assessments for activities within and outside the school to ensure the safety of all children
> Regular exercise through at least 2 hours quality PE sessions and involvement in many sport based extra-curricular activities
> High quality healthy school meals
> First day contact for absences
> Fresh fruit and milk daily and access to water
Our Safeguarding Strategy and Safe Practices policies are regularly reviewed and meet all the statutory requirements.
What activities and options are available to pupils?
We offer our learners a wide range of activities during the day and after school such as:
> Extra - curricular activities e.g. Athletics, Art, Tae Kwondo, Football
> Additional learning opportunities aimed at groups of children identified as being very able or talented in a particular area
> Regular educational visits to enhance learning
> A wide range of visitors to provide additional first hand experiences and support learning e.g. dancers, drummers, cultural experiences, artists
> Themed days and weeks e.g. Healthy Living Week, Arts Week, Maths is Fun Day etc
> Regular PE sessions and physical activity including playground games
> Participation in the School Forum
All children and families can access multi-agency support through the Children's Centre and are encouraged to do so e.g musical minis, stay and play sessions, cook and eat etc
There is Ofsted registered 'wrap around care' available on the site and the school provides F1 wrap around provision.
We encourage learners to participate in the full life of the school and parents are always welcome to contribute and get involved.
How are we working with parents and the community?
Promoting and creating positive links with parents and the community is a priority of the school. We believe that " Together we achieve more ".
The school is committed to being an extended school and has made excellent progress in this area. We have established a successful Childrens' Centre attached to our school which was designated ahead of schedule. Extensive service delivery of both universal and targeted services enable us to provide additional support and opportunities to further enhance and effectively meet the needs of the community.
Parents are invited to induction sessions at the start of the school year and there are regular oportunities throughout the year for parents to discuss their child's progress. The school offers 'wrap around care' on site and activiely encourages the community to use the school site. Family and adult learning is available during and beyond the school day.The Headteacher has regular contact with parents and welcomes feedback and discussion about pupils and the life of the school. Parents newsletters and information on the school website is available and updated on a half-termly basis.
What do our pupils do after leaving this school?
When pupils leave us at the end of Year 2 the majority transfer to the Junior School.
We have good links with the Junior School and both schools work hard to ensure a smooth transition. Staff meet to discuss the children's attainments and any particular needs they may have so there is good progression and continuity of learning.
In the Summer Term prior to transition the Year 2 group are allocated Year 5 buddies who help them to feel confident and familiar in their new school. The children spend a number of sessions on the Junior site experiencing activities such as Music, Sports, school lunches and playtimes.
Ofsted's view of our school
This is a very effective school, which gives very good value for money. Very good leadership and management give it ambition and there is a relentless pursuit of high standards. Teaching is very effective and pupils' learning is rapid so that pupils achieve highly and progress at a very good rate to reach wee above average standards by the end of Year 2.
What have done in response to Ofsted?
Our last Ofsted inspection in January 2008 went extremely well identifying us as an outstanding school.
We have continued to build upon the successess and further consolidate and enhance the work of the school through continued rigorous self-evaluation and the constant pursuit of excellence.
More Information
If you would like more information about school policies, including our policies on special educational needs and disability, admissions, finance, school food and our complaints procedure, please contact us:
By e-mail: admin@ksInfantschool.co.uk
By telephone: 01302 882221
Our Website: www.ksInfantschool.co.uk