INSPECTION REPORT

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Tuesday 10 NOVEMBER 2009                                                                 

Inspectors         Rev. D. Melly     Mrs. L. Caswell

                           Mr. M. Halford   Mrs B. Livesey

URN                  104916       

Inspection carried out under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005

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Type of School                                  Catholic Primary                 

Age range of pupils                          3 -11                         

Number on roll                                   539               

Chair of Governors                           Mrs. A. Frith 

School address                                  Grantham Road,

                                                       Southport

                                                             Merseyside

                                                             PR8 4LT.                                                                                                                                                                  

Telephone number                            01704 568375

Fax number                                        01704 565779

E-mail address                               head.ourladyoflourdes@schools.sefton.gov.uk

Date of last inspection                      2 May 2006

Headteacher                                      Mrs. M. Hillsdon      

Introduction

This inspection was carried out under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005.

The report of the inspection is produced for the Archbishop of Liverpool (Code of Canon Law 804 and 806) and for the governors of the school.

The inspectors are members of the Christian Education Department and their associates approved by the Archbishop of Liverpool for this purpose.

Description of the school

Our Lady of Lourdes School is a larger than average Catholic primary school serving the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Joseph. It is situated in Birkdale and is part of the Sefton Local Authority. There are 539 learners on roll of whom 395 are baptised Catholics, 73 come from other Christian denominations and 71 from Other Faith Traditions. The catchment area is broadly average.   The number of learners eligible for free school meals is below the national average. The number of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is above the average. There are 27 members of staff 22 of whom are Catholic. Twenty-five teachers teach Religious Education 16 of whom have a Religious Education qualification. The remaining teachers are in the process of obtaining the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies

Key for inspection grades

Grade 1                      Outstanding

Grade 2                      Good

Grade 3                      Satisfactory

Grade 4                      Inadequate

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school.

Overall effectiveness of the school

Our Lady of Lourdes is an outstanding school. It is a secure, happy, exciting and stimulating place where love of God, self and neighbour is the driving force behind all that is done. Every child obviously matters and happiness is keynote to the life of the school where all are encouraged to maximise their potential and worth. A very strong Catholic ethos is certainly evident in the positive climate which has been created for work. Eucharist is lived in this school where all are constantly breaking themselves and pouring themselves out for others. Outstanding relationships have obviously been established by working closely with home, parish and the local and global community. All are valued, respected, cared for and affirmed. Standards are outstanding. Learners achieve well and make outstanding progress. Teaching is outstanding. Assessment is in place and is outstanding. The curriculum planning is outstanding and results in an effective delivery of the Here I Am programme. Learners’ behaviour is outstanding. The Religious Education programme, Collective Worship and the Catholic life of the school make an outstanding contribution to the learners’ spiritual and moral development. The school is outstanding in promoting community cohesion. The headteacher and senior management team have a clear understanding of the school’s strengths, a vision of how to meet development needs and the enthusiasm to ensure these are met.

Grade: 1

Improvement since the last inspection

Following the last Inspection in May 2006 the school has taken effective steps to highlight the learning objective of each lesson. The good practice in marking that was observed at the last inspection has now become standard practice in the school. The Mission Statement has also been reviewed and revised and the assessment procedures, recommended by the Department, have been put in place.

Grade: 1

Capacity to improve

The school’s self-evaluation is accurate and comprehensive though at times rather modest. The priorities for both the improvement of Religious Education and the Catholic life of the school stem from the self-evaluation and the school development plan. The leadership has a clear understanding of what needs to be developed and is committed to improvement. There is outstanding capacity and eagerness for further improvement.

Grade: 1

What the school should do to improve further

·        Continue to implement the targets set out in the school self-evaluation document and development plan.

Achievement and standards

Learners’ attainment on entry to the school is that typically expected of children of their age. Learners make outstanding progress in the school and by Year 6 meet or well exceed the expectations of the Here I Am programme. Standards in Religious Education overall are outstanding. There are no significant differences in performance by learners of different gender. Learners with special needs make outstanding progress in Religious Education with the provision of differing tasks and the help provided by the teachers and learning support assistants. The school checks on the progress made by all through assessment. This work is very thorough and is outstanding. All learners’ work is marked with very positive comments that affirm. The marking highlights strengths and ways to further improve and gives pupils an opportunity to respond. Learners are very confident and articulate in discussion. They ask deep thoughtful questions which show good knowledge and understanding of Religious Education and a maturity beyond their years. Learners are given opportunities to record their knowledge and understanding and express their own thoughts and feelings in a huge variety of styles.  

Catholic beliefs and values are at the heart of learners’ spiritual development. The school celebrates achievements in lessons and assemblies. Children throughout the school are confident and obviously enjoy work. They are obviously happy and content in the school. They have an outstanding understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus and His Church and are able and happy to apply this to their own lives and experiences. Learners’ behaviour is outstanding. They have a very good sense of right and wrong. They are very polite and courteous and obviously take great pride in their school. The Gospel values of love, respect, trust, tolerance and forgiveness underpin the provision for learners’ moral development enabling learners to make an outstanding contribution to the school community. Teachers and learners show genuine care, concern and respect for each other. All are extremely polite and helpful. The overwhelming feeling in the school is one of happiness, love and care. 

Grade: 1

Quality of Provision for Religious Education

Teaching and learning

The quality of provision for Religious Education is outstanding. Teaching is outstanding overall. All teachers are exceptionally secure in their knowledge and understanding of the Here I Am programme and this is reflected in their thorough planning and confident delivery of the topics.   All teachers are enthusiastic and energetic. Here I Am is extremely well used and it is obvious that the teachers enjoy teaching the programme and that the pupils share this enjoyment.    There are excellent questioning techniques which challenge the learners who respond enthusiastically as they share deep meaningful thoughts.  The listening skills of the learners are obviously very well developed.  All classes use ICT in an outstanding way to enhance learning.  Outstanding use is made of praise and affirmation. This encourages the children and enables them to remain motivated and to have confidence in themselves. Children’s behaviour and relationships are outstanding in all lessons.  Learners are obviously valued in class.  They are listened to and treated with respect not just by the teachers and support staff but also by their peers. The children demonstrated great respect for each other’s opinions and points of view especially in paired discussions. This has obviously been role modelled by the adults and has resulted in high levels of learners’ self-confidence and self-esteem which impacts on their learning. Exceptional use was made of bibles and bible stories. The tasks observed on the day were creative, challenging, interesting and differentiated, catering well for the wide spectrum of learning abilities at both ends of the spectrum in each class. The pupils were excited about the tasks. Because of this approach the children are able to learn and make progress. It was noted in some year six workbooks that cross curricular links were established with Here I Am work being undertaken in French. 

There is very good structure to all lessons, which, together with the diligence of the teachers and other adults, helps learners stay focussed. Monitoring of teaching and learning through observation of planning, teaching and learning and learners’ workbooks is in place and is very thorough and supportive.  Outstanding use is made of support staff who promote positive relationships and encourage children to participate and stay on task. The learning objective is shared at the beginning of all lessons and also revisited throughout the lesson and at the end. All pupils understand and achieve the Learning Objective. This enables the sharp focus of the lesson to be adhered to. Learners’ work is regularly assessed and records are effectively kept. This work is outstanding.

Parents and carers are enabled to become involved in their children’s Religious Education in a variety of ways. Attractive newsletters are sent to the homes regularly outlining the religious topics to be covered and how families can become involved in the learning process. Parents are invited to attend school Masses, assemblies and special celebrations.  The school also reports comprehensively on progress in Religious Education. Parents obviously greatly appreciate what the school is doing as shown by the returned questionnaires which also contained numerous personal notes of appreciation.

Grade: 1

Curriculum

The school is effective in meeting the Religious Education curriculum needs and interests of learners.  Through using the Here I Am programme recommended by the Archdiocese the school meets the requirements of the Curriculum Directory for Religious Education. A whole school approach is used and appropriate levels of the programme are being followed in different classes. This ensures complete Religious Education entitlement for each child and meets national and diocesan requirements. Of the total curriculum time approximately 10% is allocated to Religious Education, which is a requirement of the Bishops of England and Wales. Religious Education has a very high profile in the school. Very strong links are made with home, parish and the local and global community. The Religious Education curriculum makes an outstanding impact on learners’ spiritual and moral development enabling them, above all, to be self-reflective.

Grade: 1

Leadership and Management

Religious Education

The leadership and management in Religious Education are outstanding. There is a clear vision for the subject within the mission of the school which is shared by all and is reflected in the very positive relationships throughout the school. The headteacher, Religious Education coordinator and senior management team are extremely enthusiastic and fully committed to Religious Education and the Catholic Life of the school.  They are making an outstanding contribution in leading and supporting staff. They are very good role models and have a clear vision for the further development of the school. An outstanding handbook guides and directs all staff in their delivery of Religious Education. Monitoring through scrutiny of planning, teaching and learning and workbooks is in place. This is very thorough and very supportive. Formal assessment is also in place and is outstanding. A great deal of time and effort has obviously gone into this work. Sixteen of the staff teaching Religious Education have a suitable qualification.  The remaining teachers are in the process of obtaining the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies.  Teaching assistants are very effectively deployed. The subject leader, who is extremely well organised, is very dedicated to moving the subject forward. She attends coordinators’ meetings and disseminates information to all staff, inspiring and motivating them. Priorities for the subject are clearly identified and targets set. Religious Education is well funded and money has obviously been well spent. The Religious Education coordinator keeps governors well informed on matters relating to Religious Education.     Fr. Atli is very much involved in the life of the school. His presence and input are greatly appreciated.  Governors are keen to discharge their responsibilities effectively. All the governors are extremely involved and are obviously passionate about their school. 

Grade: 1

Catholic Life of the School

There is outstanding leadership and management in developing the Catholic life of the school through the Mission Statement. Our Lady of Lourdes is a school in which Gospel values of love, respect, forgiveness and tolerance permeate every aspect of its life and work. The learners are obviously valued, affirmed and respected. This helps them to be confident and happy. An outstanding Mission Statement, which expresses the philosophy of education in this Catholic school, is in place. The aims of the Mission Statement have practical objectives which show how the aims are to be achieved. All who form the school community were involved in the development of the Mission Statement, which is at the heart of all that is done in the school. The Mission Statement is reviewed on a regular basis. The learners understand and live the Mission Statement which was referred to time and time in classes throughout the day.

Grade: 1

Collective Worship

The quality of Collective Worship is outstanding. The school provides Collective Worship in a variety of ways for each child daily, in class and phase gatherings. This fulfils government and Archdiocesan guidance. Outstanding guidelines support the planning, delivery and nurturing of Collective Worship.  Acts of worship are well planned for, with great attention to detail. The experiences on the day included music to create an atmosphere which was still and calm and very conducive to reflection. There were outstanding focuses with lighted candles and appropriate artefacts in place.  The remembrance themes chosen to be celebrated were very much rooted in the children’s own experience.  The use of God’s Story was excellent. There was time for personal reflection was very well used: the children were extremely reverent and respectful in a most natural way. There was prayer, both formal and informal. The learners and adults present responded positively to the warm, affirming experience. All of this is contributing to the children’s awareness and appreciation of the transcendent. Focus tables and displays in each classroom and throughout the school are colourful, attractive and well presented, expressing well the topic of Friends. This enhances the delivery of the curriculum and Collective Worship. Collective Worship makes an outstanding contribution to the spiritual and moral development of the children. 

Grade: 1

Community Cohesion

The school’s leadership and management in promoting community cohesion are outstanding. There is a shared vision and commitment to serve the common good. Leadership at all levels respects difference, values diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all especially the most vulnerable. Staff are very aware and able to meet the complex needs of some of the children.  It is obvious that every person matters in this school. Close links have been forged with the local community through the annual bulb planting, working with parishioners to tidy up the parish gardens, the biannual arts festival textile workshops, singing in the local care home and through strong links with the local Community Police officer. The school premises is used for a variety of parish and community events including Judo, Irish dancing, Hip Hop dancing and senior citizens sheltered housing meetings. Pupils have links with a multi faith school in Manchester and one in Mwingi in Kenya. Children have been trained by the local authority as Youth Leaders, Play Leaders, Peer Mentors and Play Buddies. Collective Worship celebrates, reflects and respects the diversity of belief within the school. The use of the Religious Education programme, Here I Am, supports community cohesion. Learners have explored the beliefs and values of Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. All show a concern for the well being of those less fortunate than themselves in their support of CAFOD, Nugent Care, Light for Life homeless, Jospice, Queenscourt Hospice, Macmillan nurses, British Heart Foundation, Comic Relief, Sports Relief, Primordial Dwarfism, Cystic Fibrosis, Royal British Legion and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Grade: 1