Felsted Preparatory School Key Achievements and Improvement Plans 2011-12

Key Achievements 2010/11 & Improvement Plans 2011/12 At Felsted Preparatory School we enjoy taking stock of our achievements - academic, co-curricular and pastoral - and identifying areas for further improvement. To that end, we have assessed our performance in all of these areas over the course of the last academic year and have built plans for improvement for the year ahead, which are now in place and can be viewed at the end of this document.

Key Achievements during 2010/11 ISI Inspection 2011 FPS achieved an outstanding ISI Report in 2011. FPS was judged to be ‘excellent’ in each of the seven stringent ISI standards - a rare accolade. Each area is judged against four possible standards - ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘satisfactory’ and ‘unsatisfactory’. This is a judgement against an overall standard for independent schools and a statement of where we stand in comparison to others.

Together with an Ofsted rating of ‘outstanding’ for both our Early Years Foundation Stage and the quality of our boarding , we are proud and pleased to conclude that FPS is clearly achieving its aims.

The inspectors gave some glowing comments as follows;

‘the quality of the teaching is excellent’ ‘attainment is far above national age-related expectations’ ‘broad, innovative and imaginative curriculum’ ‘wide-ranging and intensive co-curricular activities’

Teaching and Learning Exit and Scholarships We are pleased to report that all Young Felstedians leaving us at the end of Year 8 progressed to the senior school of their choice - either Felsted or another. Many gained scholarships or awards: 13+ Scholarships to Felsted: 5 Academic Awards, 5 Music, 5 Drama, 1 Art, 2 Design and Technology, 4 Sport Scholarship Awards and 2 All Rounder Scholarships.

Externally, one pupil gained a general scholarship to Oundle in recognition of academic ability, musicianship and leadership, one pupil gained a Sports Scholarship to Rugby, whilst another pupil gained an Outstanding Talent Award to Harrow School. Two Year 8 pupils gained places at selective 13+ Essex Grammar Schools 11+ Felsted Preparatory School Scholarships & Outstanding Talent Awards (Year 6 pupils): two pupils gained Academic awards, four in Art, two in Design Technology, four in Music, two in Performing Arts and six in Sport (some of these were combined awards).

11+ Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex: Three Year 6 pupils passed the 11+ to Essex Grammar Schools but opted to stay at Felsted.

Last year, one FPS Year 6 pupil achieved the 36th highest score in the county but opted to stay at Felsted. In 2009, five passes were achieved by Year 6 pupils to Grammar Schools in Essex - two opted to stay at Felsted.

Academic attainment Felsted Preparatory School is non-selective at the point of entry in Reception and therefore caters to a wide range of academic ability. There is also some variation in the ability range of individual cohorts from year to year. However, we are able to identify trends in attainment for each year group and use this information to formulate our improvement plans for the future.

Our assessments have shown that FPS pupils have very positive attitudes to learning and to their School in general, and have constantly improving basic skills. We could always do with your help encouraging reading and the acquisition of General Knowledge at home. These aspects remain central to our future planning. Details of the attainment of each Year Group 2010/11, based on National Curriculum and other ability tests, are found here. We measure progress in all subjects and the broad curriculum, one of our greatest strengths, allows our Young Felstedians to find their strengths and confidence.

Stewart House The overall attainment of the pupils throughout Years Reception to 2 is good in relation to their ability. Progress is at least good. Basic skills are developed extremely well as a key aspect of pupils’ personalised learning.

Reception: in 2010-11, 95% of our children achieved 6 or more scale points in each of the 7 scales of PSED and CLLD. This is the level where a child is said to be working securely within the Early Learning Goals. This compares with the national percentage of children achieving a good level of development, which in 2010 was 56%. Even at this early age, there is a wide range of ability within the Felsted cohort.

Year 1: overall, pupils attained extremely well in Literacy, with 86% working at or exceeding the national average with their Writing, 94% with their Spelling and 75% in Reading. 81% of pupils were working at or above the national average in Mathematics. There is a wide range of ability in this cohort.

Year 2: FPS pupils attained a high standard and made excellent progress. In Literacy (English) 80% of children were working at or exceeding the national average - (96% with Writing; 69% with Spelling; 89% - Reading). 74% of pupils were working at or above the national average in Mathematics. There is a wide range of ability in this cohort with several very able pupils performing at a high level, but also a significant number of pupils who are receiving additional support with their learning.

Ffrome Court The overall progress made by pupils through Years 3 and 4 is at least good with some pupils’ attainment being excellent. Basic skills continue to be developed effectively as a key aspect of their personalised learning, but remain an area for constant attention for some pupils.

Year 3: the overall attainment of pupils relative to their ability is high and in some cases excellent, with 82% of Year 3 pupils achieving or exceeding the national average in Mathematics and 89% doing likewise with their Reading. Pupils’ Writing has progressed well during the year with the majority of pupils writing at or above the nationally recognised standard, but writing continues to be a key area for pupils to develop.

Year 4: overall attainment of pupils relative to their ability is mostly high and in some cases excellent, with 76% of Year 4 pupils achieving or exceeding the national average in Mathematics and 91% doing likewise with their reading. 66% of pupils achieved or bettered the national average level with their Writing. However, the mixed ability of this cohort can be seen in the range of reading levels 2b – 5b.

Cloisters The overall attainment of the pupils in Years 5 and 6 in lessons is high / very high in relation to their ability and it is important to set this attainment in the context of a broad curriculum where pupils’ progress has been measured in all subjects. Progress is at least good with some pupils’ attainment being exceptional. Basic skills continue to be developed effectively as a key aspect of their personalised learning.

Year 5: attainment in the National Curriculum and other ability tests is high and in some cases excellent, and is well above the national average. 73% of pupils achieved or exceeded the national average in Mathematics, with 24% working at a level a year ahead of their chronological age. 88% of pupils achieved or bettered the nationally expected level with their Reading. The mixed ability of this cohort is shown in the range of levels achieved in their Writing, as whilst the majority of pupils are writing at or above the nationally recognised standard, a significant number of pupils are receiving additional help.

Thus, writing continues to be a key area for pupils to develop.

Year 6: attainment in the National Curriculum and other ability tests is overall well above the national average, but is quite mixed, as the overall ability range of this Year group is considerable. 75% of pupils achieved or exceeded the national average in Mathematics, 90% of pupils achieved or bettered the nationally expected level with their Reading and 69% with their Writing (reflecting the focus and excellent progress made during the year).

Courtauld House The overall attainment of the pupils in Years 7 and 8 in lessons is high in relation to their ability and it is important to set this attainment in the context of a broad curriculum where pupils’ progress has been measured in all subjects. Progress is at least good with some pupils’ making excellent progress through Years 7 and 8. There is growing evidence of pupils having a greater understanding of Assessment for Learning (AFL), especially via the 5Ps. This fundamentally refers to their capacity to take responsibility for their learning and understand the importance of planning, pace, presentation, progress and proof-reading (different forms of assessments).

Year 7: attainment is well above the national average, although nationally standardised results confirm that this is a weaker than normal FPS cohort (including 25 new pupils), with a wide range of ability. In Mathematics, 61% of pupils are working at or above the national norm, 35% in Reading (which shows the continued need for regular reading at home and at school) and a most encouraging 69% with Writing. End-of-year results, confirm that good or excellent progress has been made by the majority of pupils.

Year 8: attainment is well above the national average for the most part, with some excellent levels being achieved, but with a wide range of ability. 62% of pupils exceeded expected norms in Mathematics. In English Writing, 71% of pupils were working at or above the national norm, but a significant number were still writing at below average levels, reflecting the number of pupils in this cohort who were receiving some form of Learning Support in their language/literacy work. There is also growing evidence of pupils having a greater understanding of Assessment for Learning (AFL), especially via the 5Ps. This fundamentally refers to their capacity to take responsibility for their learning and understand the importance of planning, pace, presentation, progress and proof-reading (different forms of assessments).

The Felsted Transfer Exam (FTE) review concluded that good and some excellent progress was made through Year 8 by nearly all pupils relative to their ability. Overall, this was a strong year group and so good results were to be expected. 76% of pupils achieved an average of above 50% in the core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science and French). The top pupil averaged 80%. Several other pupils from FPS went to other leading Public Schools, achieving some excellent admission results and two pupils gained places at Essex Grammar Schools.

Academic Achievements External examinations and tests are a good indicator of our pupils’ attainment, and these are examples of achievements in the 2010/11 academic year: NACE Challenge Award: FPS is one of few schools nationally to be awarded the prestigious Challenge Award for Able, Gifted and Talented Pupils. This Award is given for high quality work by the whole school, teachers and governors, in challenging all pupils, including those with high abilities, to achieve their best. The award has taken three years of planning and we are delighted to have achieved national recognition for our Very Able Pupil Programme.

World Class Tests are taken by Very Able Pupils (VAPs) in Years 5-8. Five Year 8 pupils gained distinctions and five pupils gained merits on the Mathematics tests; and three pupils gained distinctions, one a merit and five a pass on the problem solving tests. Two Year 7 pupils gained distinctions and one achieved a merit on the problem solving papers. Three Year 6 pupils gained distinctions, three gained merits and five achieved passes on the problem solving papers.

National BA Bronze Crest Awards for project work in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Year 7 VAPs gained this award and a team represented FPS at the regional championships at Duxford, winning the 2011 competition against mainly much older pupils from Secondary Schools.

SATIPS General Knowledge QUIZ - overall FPS was placed about half-way in the national rankings, with one Year 8 pupil in the top 50/1000 senior entrants and one Year 5 pupil in the top 50/2100 junior entrants.

UK Junior Mathematical Challenge: top set pupils in Years 7 and 8 gained seven gold, five silver and ten bronze awards. Two Year 8 pupils qualified for the Junior Mathematical Olympiad. Five under-age Year 6 VAPs were entered, achieving one gold, one silver and one bronze award.

English Speaking Board (ESB) Examinations: 100% pass rate in Year 4 (with 17% distinctions, 66% merit plus and 17% merit) and also a 100% pass rate in Year 7 (with 15% distinction, 59% merit plus, 20% merit, 4% good pass and 1% pass). This continues the excellent run of 100% pass rates achieved both in 2009 and 2010.

GCSE Results: the strong foundations laid by an FPS education can be seen in the GCSE results achieved by ex-FPS pupils at Felsted Senior School. In 2011, 22 ex-FPS pupils achieved seven or more A/A* grades, including the top performer with 12 A* grades. In 2010, 14 of the top 17 performers were ex-FPS pupils. In 2009:11/13; in 2008: 15/16; in 2007:12/16.

A level Results: Nine ex-FPS pupils gained three or more A* or A grades, including two pupils who have now gained Oxbridge places and another who achieved straight A* grades.

In 2010, of the 14 pupils who gained all A* or A grades, 12 were ex-FPS pupils.

Learning Support We use a variety of forms of assessment to enable us to give our pupils the best possible assistance. Both summative and formative measures are used to decide and guide our individual lessons and all Learning Support sessions are multi-sensory.

Co-curricular Achievements At FPS our curriculum is broad and balanced and enhanced by a good range of additional activities in sport, drama, music, ICT, Design and Technology and other activities. Evaluation is carried out on a regular basis and pupils’ achievements are noted and celebrated.

Sporting Highlights Girls’ Hockey: U13s were Essex Runners Up and were unbeaten in the opening rounds of the East of England Mini Hockey but lost out on goal difference so did not make the final rounds.

The U11 Girls’ reached the IAPS Finals which were unfortunately cancelled due to poor weather.

Boys’ Hockey: U13s reached the finals of the IAPS 7-a-side Mini Hockey Tournament at Millfield and came 14th out of 20. In the Regionals they came a credible 3rd out of 15 teams and in the Essex U13 Tournament, they also came 3rd. The U11 Boys’ were Essex Champions.

Netball: The U11s had an unbeaten season and won the Felsted tournament. The U12 girls were winners of the IAPS Region and went onto the National Finals.

Rugby: 1st XV victories over Bishop Stortford College and Greshams were a highlight as well as convincing wins against Bishops Stortford College at all levels. We had our first venture in the Rosslyn Park National Sevens Tournament and nearly qualified for the finals! The U11 A team had an unbeaten season and were crowned Uttlesford Team of The Year 2011!

Sporting Highlights Cricket: Henry Hoare (1st XI captain) was selected for the Emerging Player Programme at Northamptonshire Cricket Club and scored an unbeaten 112 v Orwell Park early on in the season. Harry Sturge and Cameron Bailey were selected by West Essex for Cricket trials. Ned Potter had trials with Cambridgeshire County Cricket U12s and was selected for the 2011 county squad - this was his 3rd season for the county. Matt Morley-Jacob and Charlie Latham were selected for the U13 West Essex cricket squad.

Tennis: We now have a year-round tennis programme run by LTA Professional Rob Hardy, as well as our weekly tennis activities. Our top-ranked player this year is Ethan Monks, with an LTA rating of 8.1.

Rounders: The U11s were unbeaten all season.

Swimming: IAPS National Swimming Championships - Kate Butterworth qualified for the U12 Backstroke 50m and came 12th with a PB of 42.4 seconds. Sophia Butler qualified for the U13 Backstroke 50m. Barnaby Mitchell completed the Great East Open Water half mile swim. We held our first ‘Wild Water Swim’.

Athletics: Mikey Barton and Lara Peck both won their shot-put events at the IAPS East Athletics Championships. At the Nationals Mikey came 5th in the country.

Football: We played in the regional round of the IAPS 6 a side Tournament. In the Belmont XI-a-side Tournament, FPS came a credible 4th out of 12 teams.

Golf: We entered our first team into the IAPS Golf Championship, at Royal Lytham & St.Anne's, with a mixed team of U11 Boys & Girls.

Cross-Country: East Anglian Prep School Championships - Archie Lucas 7th.

Friend's School meeting - U10 team 1st. 2nd overall team. Tobias Butler 1st, Harry Nicholls 2nd (U10 boys), Oliver Butler 1st (U9 boys), David Townsend 5th.

Triathlon: A team of eight pupils from the FPS Triathlon Club took part in a mountain bike event at Danbury Outdoors, organised by British Cycling. This race included 100 people.

Gymnastics: Tom Lane-Feldman competed for Essex in a regional gymnastics competition and brought home medals and trophies for floor and vault. As a result Tom represented Essex in the regional finals.

Other: a number of pupils have represented Essex and/or the East of England at Cricket, Rugby, Hockey and Netball, and in representative Tennis Tournaments.

Music and Drama Achievements Associated Board Music Examinations: a bumper year for instrumental exams with 91 exams being taken internally. This is nearly twice as many as our previous best (51 in 07/08).

Our pass rate was again above 99%. We achieved 20 Grade 3 results with ten at Merit or Distinction, our first Grade 7 for a number of years (Murray Lawson - Singing) and nine results Grade 4-6. 20 prep tests and 23 Grade 1 exams show a great deal of pupils are starting instruments and achieving their initial grades.

Thomas Brown gained a place in the National Children's Orchestra. Harry Pilcher played with the Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra. Pippa Graves achieved a Music Exhibition to Oundle. Our choristers performed internationally on a successful tour of Italy. Our Year 8 Music Scholars performed very well throughout the year and a number of them have already established themselves in the choirs, orchestras and bands in the Senior School. The schools are running a joint Jazz Band tour to Paris in October. One Year 8 pupil gained an Organ Scholarship to a Maldon Church.

Dance Show: FPS held its second Dance Show, in which boys and girls in Years 2 to 8 performed a diverse range of dance styles (from ballet to jazz to street) to a variety of music. The evening included all dance groups that take place on a weekly basis as part of the Co-Curriculum programme. In addition, all Year 3s performed as part of their activities carousel, which includes dance. Over 100 children took part in the show!

LAMDA: 2011 saw vastly improved results with 37 pupils taking part. They achieved a credible 100% pass rate with 37.5% distinctions and 62.5% merits. In 2010 we had a 89% pass rate (4% distinction, 57% merit, 29% pass).

Health & Hygiene Awards Following the Bronze Award in 2010, FPS was proud to receive the Food for Life Silver Award in May. FPS is the first independent school in the South East to receive the Soil Association’s Silver Food for Life Award, in recognition of its commitment to serving tasty meals made from free range and organic ingredients and served as you would at home. FPS has also achieved a Five Star rating in Food Hygiene.

Green Flag Award FPS was awarded the Green Flag Award from Eco Schools. This is the culmination of five years of hard work and initiatives by pupils and staff. The assessor was very impressed both by the School and in particular the energy and passion with which the Green Captains and Head Gardeners talked about our aims. However, we cannot relax as he gave us areas to work on and we have to re-apply for the award in two years’ time.

Improvement Planning 2011/12 Using our assessment of attainment and achievement over the past academic year as a basis, we have formulated plans for further improvement of the academic and co-curricular provision at the school, as follows:

Teaching and Learning Leading Learning To further develop responsibility for learning in the Young Felstedian to improve results and enthusiasm for learning • To embed the language of learning project • To embed the 5 p plan (planning, pace, progress, presentation, proof-reading i.e. forms of assessment) • To plan for thinking skills as part of the inset programme To ensure that there are clear and transparent learning programmes and standards associated with acquisition of skills and knowledge that can be clearly communicated to pupils, staff and parents • Completion of standardisation within the curriculum documentation • Curriculum review • Pilot projects in departments with regard to standardisation To promote learning and pride in our work via the classroom environment and the way we celebrate excellence and achievement • Create working walls • Prioritise displays • Embed use of Achievement and Excellence folders To focus on consistent levels of feedback and target setting enabling pupils to take responsibility for driving their targets forward • Ensure consistent and effective completion of marking through scrutiny of work • To ensure that tutorial targets are communicated to all teachers via sticky labels in exercise books (Inspection target)

For all staff to evaluate their own teaching and learning • Heads of Departments and teacher self-scrutiny for individual staff and depart ments (external inset) • To ensure all staff are involved in and aware of curriculum changes • To assist Heads of Phases with use of planners in the classroom To ensure the development of all staff through the Professional Development Review (PDR) and Career Professional Development (CPD) processes • To ensure a well planned inset and courses programme in the light of PDR tar gets and the Leading Learning Plan Phase Planning – main issues • Smart Starts • Use of Planners • Induct new staff • Tutor review through Phase leaders • Redevelop profiling of learning styles and keep using knowledge that we have of pupils for effective learning • Review communication with parents and update • Review transition approaches

Co-Curriculum Changes to the co-curriculum plan seek to take account of the fact that not everyone wishes to do four sessions of sport per week and to offer a greater degree of choice especially on a Saturday. It is significant step. Other main changes are contained in this programme such as the opening of a new Felsted Dance Academy, ‘IN MOTION’.

“Experience, Choice, Commitment” A directed Activities Afternoon for Yr 7 & 8 Pupils that are required for Scholarship (DT, Drama, Art, Core skills),Orchestra and School Play will be allocated first and everyone else allocated too so that everyone feels chosen, and we are able to manage groups and balance better.

One or two children with activity clashes will need to be identified and managed. School Play (main rehearsal) and Orchestra will be on separate days.

An Activity Choices Afternoon for Yr 7&8 on Thursday as we have now, but fixtures such as swimming galas will be chosen only from those children in that activity and only on this day.

Pupil led choice here.

Yr 6 Play full rehearsals to take place only on a Friday, and main parts only on Tuesday Certain pupils will be given a choice of co-curricular activities aiming for excellence in areas that they are identified as being able to develop further.

Thursday Yr 5&6 for boys and girls • Cross Country • Rob Hardy tennis coaching • Swimming • Rugby Academy (Summer term) Friday Yr 7&8 for boys and girls • Cross country • Fencing • Dance • Girls’ tennis (Spring term) • Rob Hardy tennis coaching Saturday Co-Curricular Day Strands (co-curricular ‘teams’): • • • •

Committed to Sport: (A&B squad and ‘Development’ squad) Music: ‘Rock School’ Dance School Intellectual: Chess team (chess coach) / Philosophy & Conversation Club

Safeguarding •

All staff to gain appropriate safeguarding qualifications

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Ongoing pupil and parent training

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Policy update as necessary

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National Minimum Boarding Standards Update

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Review of Health and Safety practice in accordance with planning and update

Healthy Schools Planning •

Hand hygiene

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Time to eat

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More opportunity to cook

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More opportunity to garden

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Children involved in preparing healthy snacks

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Reviewing the content of the packed lunch

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Research into the further inclusion of organic foods into the school diet

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Food waste education

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Farm visits and educational talks

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Publicising healthy schools through newsletter

Internationalism •

Teaching Spanish from Years R - 5

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Establishing internet projects with a French Round Square school and a Spanish speak ing school.

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Establishing a Years 7 – 9 cultural and language exchange to Cádiz with the Senior School

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Welcoming a group of pupils from Louisenlund, a German Round Square school

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Providing parents’ beginners and GCSE classes as part of the lifelong learning programme

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To run an international learning programme in conjunction with the Olympics and the Olympiad with each League assigned to a continent. To identify learning opportunities that emerge from this.

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To take part in the Model United Nations with other prep schools

Charity and Service Plan •

Support charities in line with League Continents

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Support other charities in line with choice

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Give children an experience of disability to improve understanding and empathy through such as wheelchair tennis, the linked maypole dancing project etc

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Continue to support Cubs and Beavers in the community

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Complete Felsted Heritage Trail

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Contribute to Village Cookbook

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FPS to lead Village Jubilee Event and encourage FPS Felsted village families and staff to support this

Green Action Plan •

The development of the Green Curriculum

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The development of FPS as a forest school with designated forest leaders and planned forest experiences

Collective Worship •

To continue to build opportunities for quiet worship

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To use a variety of technologies and pupils in chapel services

Site Development •

To open the new Stewart House Pre-Preparatory Building

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To plan an excellent alternative use of the old Stewart House site as a tremendous extension to Ffrome Court to include a Hall, Art and DT area, much improved playing space and a distinct ‘forest’ image.