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Radley CE Primary School, SIAS Inspection Report

Date Added: Wednesday 15th November 2006

Radley CE Primary School Church Road Radley Abingdon. OX14 3QF
Type of school (Infant, Primary, Middle, Secondary etc)	Primary
Status (VA, VC or Foundation, CTC or Academy)	VC
LEA	Oxfordshire
Dates of inspection	November 6^th 2006
Date of last inspection	June 5^th 2000
School’s Unique reference number	123157
Name of Headteacher	Mrs Radka Benton
Name of Chair of Governors	Mr Maurice Dixon
Inspector’s name and NS inspector’s number	Mrs Maggie Moorhouse NS 223
Context Radley Church of England Primary School is a small school of 83 pupils. Most are White British and come from a mix of social backgrounds. The school serves a wide rural area.
The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Radley Primary School as a Church of England school are satisfactory. Radley Church of England Primary School provides a distinctive Christian environment where children feel safe, are nurtured and valued. The children have a positive attitude to learning and behaviour and take on responsibilities willingly.
Established strengths The strong Christian ethos of the school in which all pupils and staff are valued, cared and nurtured. The inclusive and supportive environment provided to pupils who come from other schools. The importance placed on pupil voice through its school council, house system and circle time.
Focus for development Provide diocesan training for all teachers to lead acts of worship. Establish systems with the involvement of the Foundation Governors to measure the impact of Collective Worship on the school community. Improve pupils’ spiritual and cultural development by placing more emphasis on faiths and cultures other than their own.
The school through its distinctive Christian character is good at meeting the needs of all learners The school successfully enables each child to feel that their achievements are valued and celebrated. The weekly “awards” assembly motivates pupils throughout their years in the school. Strong Christian values ensure that pupils are learning in a supportive family atmosphere, where the older pupils have a key role in working and playing alongside younger ones. They model good behaviour and respect for each other which is evident in the lessons, the playground and in the hall at lunchtime. Pupils know that their opinions are valued and have an impact through their School Council, the house system and circle time. They know that staff will listen and understand when concerns are raised and will follow through the promised actions. Pupils of all abilities are well catered for including those with Special Needs and especially those pupils who come to the school from another, for a “fresh start”.
The impact of collective worship on the school community is satisfactory Worship for the school is planned and taken by the headteacher and has a secure place in the life of the school. The pupils take the lead in the Friday awards assembly, including writing their own prayers at times. These are attended by parents, staff and pupils. Parents report that these assemblies have a positive impact on the children in the way they share and celebrate the success of others. The vicar leads the worship for the school on the major Christian festivals in the church and sometimes leads the worship in school. This gives the pupils experience of the pattern of the Church year. There is no formal monitoring or evaluation of Collective Worship by the headteacher or the Foundation Governors so it is unclear as to what extent worship enriches the lives of the pupils. The pupils though are able to explain the importance of prayer and reflection and the impact it has on them. They are able to explain that different people have different or no faith and know that theirs is a church school where Christian stories and values predominate in assemblies and in RE. Many are able to express the connections with their own lives and can give examples of this. Worship makes a contribution to the moral and spiritual development of the pupils. Pupils know and understand the school prayer.
The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school is satisfactory All staff are committed to supporting the Christian ethos and the Christian values that underpin the inclusive and family atmosphere of the school. They make a significant contribution to the development of all learners. Parents are very clear that this is a Church of England school and for many this was the reason the school was selected. One parent expressed “I chose the village because of the school”. The school prospectus, letter headings, signage and school uniform make it very clear that this is a church school. The Foundation Governors are aware of the need to become more involved in ensuring that the Church foundation of the school is given a higher profile through identifying and meeting their own training needs. This will ensure that the Christian character is reflected in policy as well as practice. The vicar has made good links with the school since taking office and is supporting the headteacher in using the church for more than the main Christian festivals and school celebrations. The leadership and management have the capacity to make this a good church school.