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Newton Longville Church of England Combined School School Drive Newton Longville Buckinghamshire MK17 0BZ | |
| Type of school (Infant, Primary, Middle, Secondary etc) | Combined |
| Status (VA, VC or Foundation, CTC or Academy) | Voluntary Controlled |
| LEA | Buckinghamshire |
| Dates of inspection | 29th November 2005 |
| Date of last inspection | 12th. 14th. 15th.June 2000 |
| School’s Unique reference number | 278433 |
| Name of Headteacher | Krys Kuzminska |
| Name of Chair of Governors | Tessa Haddon |
| Inspector’s name and NS inspector’s number | Alan Thornsby NSIN 137 |
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Established strengths
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Focus for development
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The school is good in meeting the needs of its learners through its distinctive Christian ethos.
The school successfully achieves the values and aims set out in its mission and ethos statements and condensed into the school motto ‘Living to learn and learning to live’. The expectations of children’s behaviour and personal conduct are higher than is expected of their learning. The pastoral care of the pupils is good but does not have sufficient impact on the pupils’ attainment. Although children enjoy school they do not always achieve their best. All members of the community recognise an enjoyable learning environment. Achievements are celebrated weekly and a house points system is used to good effect. Termly challenges to be completed at home provide for a range of skills to be exercised and developed, to give all of the pupils an opportunity to achieve. Parents speak highly of the development of the well being of each individual, in a secure and safe caring environment, regardless of their academic capabilities. Pupils are aware that they are all unique and can all achieve in some field. They develop good manners, self-confidence and a pride in their school. There are very good relationships throughout the whole school community and all of the adults provide excellent role models. Pupils have a significant voice in the school through the school council, who speak with confidence and authority. They were delighted that the governing body agreed with their choice in the appointment of the new headteacher. Spiritual Moral Social and Cultural development opportunities are found throughout the curriculum. There are examples of how spiritual development can permeate all curriculum subjects but this good practice is not consistent across year groups. This practice can be seen through the nature of questions and comments posed in a display of angels and their messages and in a display of aerial photography. The school’s strength in creative subjects demonstrates its capacity to explore spiritual values through these areas. | |
| The impact of Collective worship is good and recognised as a vital element in the life of the school.
Individual acts of worship give opportunity for spiritual development and reflection. Pupils enjoy worship and contribute well because the subject matter is made relevant to their lives. There is a purposeful atmosphere to worship as a coming together of the whole school community for a time of learning and reflection. Pupils understand the significance of the lighting of a candle and speak of prayer as giving an opportunity to start again ‘like a dirty cloth having the dirt washed away.’ Parents speak of the school living a Christian life to the full and are aware of the supportive prayers from the school at times of difficulty. There are good links with the church that is often used for worship and as a curriculum resource. The bell ringers have been involved in a school service at church. The school makes an annual distribution of Harvest gifts following the service. This is a further example of the impact of Collective Worship in the life of the school. The older residents of the village enjoy being remembered and visited as much as their gifts. The school is aware of the need to provide a more structured approach to the planning of worship that will ensure consistency throughout themes and will enable further exploration in class. | |
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The school is effective in evaluating its distinctiveness as a church school. The new headteacher has a clear vision to fully develop the visual environment of the school, in order to ensure that the distinctiveness is overt and obvious to pupils and visitors. Christian values are deeply embedded in the practice of the school, but not clearly articulated to reflect the commitment of the staff. Relationships between all members of the school are very good. Parents and pupils find the staff open and very approachable and all are valued. The links between the school, church and village communities are being further developed to ensure a sharing partnership beneficial to the whole community. This and the after school club help to encourage pupils in their understanding of a Christian life. The vicar and curate, who is also a parent and teaches guitar, are regular visitors to school for worship and teaching. They provide very positive role models for the pupils. The plan to set up a prayer group is a further example of the encouragement of Christian life and distinctiveness of a church school, as is the plan to follow up a successful summer activity week by using the school for Sunday School. The use of the church is seen as an opportunity to develop respect for a special building. the links with the village community are good shown by the choir singing at the ceremony to mark the building of a new joint Methodist Baptist church, older residents helping with reading and sewing in school, and their invitation to pre productions in school. Parents and pupils have been able to express their opinions through questionnaires and these form a basis for development. The foundation governors are aware of their roles, and the governing body is very supportive of the new headteacher. | |
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