SCHOOL PROFILE
SCHOOL PROFILE '06 - '07
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St John's CofE Aided Infant School
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School Profile
Published 20 July 2007
What is the School Profile?
This is the most recent profile available for this school.
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The information provided was correct at the time of publishing. Please be aware that details may have changed.
St John's CofE Aided Infant SchoolBarford Lane, Churt Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2JETelephone: 01428 713216 http://www.stjohnsinfantschurt.ik.org/
Children's Service Authority: Surrey
Age range: 4 to 7
Number of pupils: 87
Head teacher: Mrs Angela Harper
Chair of governors: Mr Norman Lingard
What have been our successes this year?
One of our successes this year was gaining the 'Outstanding overall' category for our Ofsted inspection which took place in May. To quote, 'St John's provides its pupils with an outstanding education. The school has a strong Christian ethos and is at the heart of the local community. Standards and achievements are consistently high'..... (please read report below).
We also gained the 'Outstanding overall' category for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools. To quote, 'St John's Infant School is an outstanding church school. A very strong atmosphere of trust and compassion is evident throughout the school community and these are clearly rooted in its Christian ethos.' To read the complete report please see our website.
We have maintained our very high standards: 97% of children achieved level 2 in mathematics, 93% achieved level 2 in reading and writing. Our very high standards were reflected in the fact that many children achieved a level 3 in these areas: 53% for reading, 47% for writing and 40% for mathematics.
We continue to work with the Haslemere TEAM Confederation and with other local infant schools in a learning network, allowing us the opportunity to share good practice.
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What are we trying to improve?
We have been involved in a two year project to raise standards in writing through peer and self assessment ie making the pupils more active learners. Our results this year show that we have improved our results with more children achieving levels 2A and level 3. 47% of our children achieved a level 3 which is above average for their age group. These results show that the children have achieved significantly higher scores for level 3 when compared to the national average of 14%.
We have also been involved in improving the outdoor learning environments in Key Stage 1. Apart from improving the outdoor learning provision it has also improved the transition from the reception class into year one. This year we have an awning (provided by our wonderful PTA) which stretches across the outside of the year one and two classrooms. This means that outdoor learning can take place regardless of the weather.
Other areas we have been trying to improve/develop include:
Children's expressive and receptive language
Pupils' emotional and social well being as a means of enhancing learning
The quality and quantity of P.E.
The International Dimension in the curriculum - we now link with a school in Uganda.
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How have our results changed over time?
We have maintained the high standards that have been achieved over the last five years. We are achieving significantly higher results than the national average in reading, mathematics and writing. 93% of children achieved a level 2 in writing and reading and 97% of children achieved a level 2 in rmathematics. 53% of children achieved a level 3 in reading, 47% achieved a level 3 in writing and 40% achieved a level 3 in mathematics.
We have not identified any trend in performance difference between boys and girls but continue to monitor for any divergence.
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How are we making sure we are meeting the learning needs of individual pupils?
All pupils are monitored and their progress tracked throughout the school. (All children make progress). Potential difficulties are recognised at an early stage and the Special Needs Co-ordinator and outside agencies (eg Educational Psychologist, Speech Therapist, Learning and Literacy Support etc) are involved if necessary.
The school offers a wide range of activities and teaching styles to engage and motivate the pupils. Children are grouped according to ability for literacy and numeracy to tailor the curriculum and the pace of learning at a more appropriate rate for the range of abilities within our school. A teaching assistant in each class allows the teacher and teaching assistant to work with small groups of children. Individual learning programmes are put in place to extend the learning of more able pupils or to support less able pupils throughout the school. In year one we provide the Early Literacy Support programme for those children that need extra input. We have also implemented the Wave 3 programme this year that covers literacy and numeracy for children who need extra support. In year two maths booster groups are provided for any children that needs extra support.
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How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?
'The children at St John's have good self esteem and are confident when talking with adults. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to keep healthy by drinking water, eating fruit and vegetables and by taking plenty of exercise. They enjoy healthy midmorning snacks. Parents and pupils are very satisfied with the quality of the healthy school dinners.' Ofsted 2007
Pastoral care is very good and the school has a very strong compassionate, caring ethos. Staff are quick to identify children's difficulties and deal with them accordingly. Child protection procedures are in place and there is a named Child Protection Officer. All new staff are police checked as are all our parents who volunteer their help in the school. All our after school leaders are also checked. We have a close relationship with the parent/carers and all staff are approachable should there be a problem. Children are only released at the end of the day to a named adult. Children are kept safe through the adherence to Health and Safety regulations, careful risk assessments for all areas of the site, trips and extra activities.
We gained the 'Healthy Schools' status in 2006.
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What activities are available to pupils?
One parent said, 'The range of activities the children get involved in is tremendous, especially for a small school. The assemblies, church services, nativity, party in the park, school trips and involvement of parents in activities such as reading, music and craft, make the school an amazing place to be' - Ofsted 2007
The Year 2 children are given the opportunity to learn how to play the recorder during the school day. They are also able to join the school choir which is an after school activity. The Year 2 children also take part in the Godalming Music Festival where approximately 200 children from local schools come together to sing the songs they have learnt in their individual schools.
The Year 2 children take part in the Edgeborough Football Tournament which involves a number of local schools competing against each other in teams. They also take part in learning rugby skills at a local secondary school.
Years 1 and 2 are able to attend two after school activities in the school hall that are privately run:
French Club and 'TK Active' which is an exercise to music activity club.
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How are we working with parents and the community?
We have a brilliant PTA who organise many social and fund raising events. Over the last two years the PTA have funded the awning across the year one and two classes. This has enhanced the outdoor learning environment in key stage one and it has also eased the transition for children from the reception class into year one. The PTA has also funded a safety surface in the reception class which allows the children to play on it throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions! The funds raised also provides extras resources for the classrooms. It also pays for special shows and visitors to enhance the curriculum. Regular parent induction and consultation meetings take place and parents are invited to year group assemblies. Local senior citizens and nursery children are invited to watch the Christmas play. The year 2 children visit the local museum and all children visit the local church. The vicar takes assemblies on a regular basis and our special services are always held at the church. The school has strong links with other local schools and Chichester University, providing placements for students.
Country dancing by Year 2 is a highlight of the village fete.
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What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?
From questionnaires, circle time and the school council we have been able to obtain different pupils views about the school. Children like coming to school and find the activities on offer fun and stimulating. The children have also told us the aspects of school life that make them feel 'happy and safe'. We continue to seek pupils views of the school. Regular verbal feedback is obtained from parents via parent meetings and our daily informal contact and our 'open door' policy.
As a result of children's views we have improved the playground facilities and equipment. We have also refurbished the children's toilets and cloakroom area. The children (via the school council) decided what questions they wanted to ask the staff, the answers of which have gone onto the school website.
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What do our pupils do after leaving this school?
The majority of our pupils move on to Waverley Abbey Junior School in Tilford. Most of our remaining pupils move on to South Farnham Community School and a small minority of pupils move into the independent sector. Many of our ex pupils return to the school for the Christmas and Summer Fairs and report happy memories of our school.
We have good links with the main junior school that we feed into and if children attend St John's they will automatically get a place at Waverley Abbey School as this is stated in their admissions policy.
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Ofsted's view of our school
St. John's provides its pupils with an outstanding education. The school has a strong Christian ethos and is at the heart of the local community. Standards and achievement in reading, writing and mathematics are exceptionally and consistently high, pupils' personal development and well-being are outstanding and the curriculum is excellent. Pupils work regularly outside in the fresh air because of the extensive covered areas adjacent to each classroom, where they learn in an active and practical way. Outstanding links with many organisations, including local schools, Guildford Diocese and St. John's Church, promote learners' well-being and achievement. Parents value the education that their children receive and contribute very well by supporting their children's learning and by generously supporting Parent Teacher Association (PTA) fund raising events. As one parent said 'We feel so happy with the school. It's very warm and friendly and provides the children with an excellent start to schooling'.
Leadership and management are excellent. The headteacher's outstanding leadership has had a positive impact on pupils' personal development and well-being, their achievement and care and particularly on their opportunities to learn and play in the fresh air. The school is not complacent and seeks to improve further. For example, although pupils' personal development and well being is outstanding, the school is seeking to improve pupils' speaking and listening skills to further improve their social interactions. The work of the governors is outstanding in terms of supporting the school and holding it to account.
Pupils' achievement is excellent in both the Reception class and Key Stage 1 classes, because pupils' progress is tracked well, effective help is provided for pupils who need to catch up, teaching and learning are consistently good and the curriculum is excellent. Pupils particularly enjoy being practical active learners. The core curriculum is planned well to meet all pupils' needs with many varied opportunities for enrichment and a good range of clubs. One parent said, 'The range of activities the children get involved in is tremendous, especially for a small school. The assemblies, church services, nativity, party in the park, school trips and involvement of parents in activities such as reading, music and craft, make the school an amazing place to be'. Pupils' understanding of how to stay healthy is excellent.
Care, guidance and support are good overall but there are still areas to be developed in academic guidance. Although pupils have reading, writing and mathematical targets to improve their learning, these systems are relatively new and not fully embedded and consequently pupils are not making full use of them to improve their achievement even further. Pupils have begun to self and peer assess their writing but are not working in this way in other subjects. Pupils' work is marked regularly but it does not always explain to pupils well enough how they can improve.
The school has evaluated its work very well, is focusing on the correct areas for improvement and is in a good position to improve further. Improvement has been good since the last inspection.
Date of last inspection: 17-May-2007
Ofsted graded our school as outstanding
Inspectors made judgements on a scale: outstanding (grade 1); good (2); satisfactory (3); inadequate (4).
View the Ofsted page for St John's CofE Aided Infant School
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What have we done in response to Ofsted?
In the next academic year we will be looking at ways to develop our marking system so that it is consistent and will show pupils how they can improve their work. We will also make more rigorous use of the targets set for children in reading, writing and mathematics.
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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 telephone: 01428 713216
Our website: http://www.stjohnsinfantschurt.ik.org/
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