SIAMS Inspection

National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools Report St Stephen’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Bent Spur Road, Kearsley, Bolton BL4 8PB Diocese: Manchester Local authority: Bolton.

Date of inspection: 13th September, 2011 Date of last inspection: 27th November, 2007 School’s unique reference number: 105240 Acting Headteacher: Mrs. Sheila Savage Inspector’s name and number: Mr J Verity 440 School context St. Stephen’s Church of England (V.A.) Primary school is slightly below the national average size with 206 pupils on roll. It is a multi-award winning school that serves a suburb of south Bolton. Although the Index of Multiple Deprivation places the area served in the lowest quartile, children attend from the spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals reflects the National Average. The majority of children are white British but an increasing number are from ethnic minority backgrounds with a small percentage having English as a second language. The number of children on school action or action plus registers is slightly below the national average.

The distinctiveness and effectiveness of St. Stephen’s V.A. Primary School, Kearsley, as a Church of England school is outstanding.

Governors and senior management of school are working harmoniously to further develop and maintain an outstanding inclusive church school where pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development is excellent. Evolving strategies are also manifesting themselves in a positive Christian ethos amongst all stakeholders and throughout the local community.

Established strengths The work of the senior management team in working harmoniously to elevate the spiritual, moral and social education to be strength of the school.

The teaching of Christianity manifesting itself in the children’s excellent knowledge of the Bible and assisting in promoting attitudes conducive to academic and social excellence.

The outstanding relationships between all strata of the school community that promotes inclusion.

Focuses for development Prepare the children for the wider world in which they live by further development of the R.E. curriculum, for example, to incorporate meeting children of other faiths to share experience of religious practice, including the celebration of religious festivals.

Further promote the school’s Christian foundation by expanding the Mission statement to include a statement on ethos in the school prospectus.

Generate a greater sense of awe and wonder in worship, for example, by providing more time for reflection before prayers.

The school, through its distinctive Christian character, is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners All children express pride in their school and love attending. They find their work stimulating and admire their teachers. The children speak of this being a ‘brilliant school.’ Christian values underpin an ethos that emphasises the importance and responsibility of each pupil. As a result the children possess a positive sense of worth and hope. They have a range of expectations for their life that fulfill the spectrum of ambition from teacher to hairdresser and professional sportsperson. Established playground routines ensure that the recreational facilities are utilised effectively and promote pupil harmony. A successful playground

leadership scheme promotes positive interaction and high levels of independence, maturity and citizenship. Relationships between staff and pupils are outstanding. Children are well aware of the codes of behaviour and report that rare disciplinary challenges are resolved speedily, fairly and in a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation by all adults. They say that ‘teachers quietly explain the standards expected at this school.’ Children’s understanding of Christianity is well supported by faith displays in the entrance hall and other public areas.

Expanding the Mission Statement in the Prospectus to include a statement on ethos would add even further support. An array of extra curricular activities, supports children’s excellent spiritual, moral and social development very well. Cultural development is good and is enhanced by music and drama.

The impact of collective worship on the school community is good Christianity and acts of worship are central to school life. They are enjoyed by all the children and led by the Acting head, who is the worship co-ordinator, by other members of staff, or by the Incumbent, who is also the Chair of Governors. Worship matches the backgrounds, ages and abilities of all learners well. Children sing hymns enthusiastically with words being projected on the wall. They have an excellent knowledge of the Bible and can recite the Lord’s Prayer and the school prayer with clarity and understanding. Children enjoy participating in class assemblies and are eager to read prayers that they have written.

However, a greater sense of awe and wonder can be generated by allowing more time for reflection before prayers, which support a specific theme and said by the leader. Children’s understanding of Christianity is deepened because worship generally follows the Church’s Year and they learn much from the Vicar. Productive links with the local parish church ensures that school attends St. Stephen’s to celebrate Harvest, Christmas, Easter and the Leavers’ Service. These occasions, together with class assemblies, are valued and well supported by parents. A Eucharist is celebrated for pupils during the Summer Term. Further knowledge of the principles and practices of the Church of England are enhanced by monthly attendance at St. Stephen’s Church. The impact of worship is good because it explores inclusive themes such as peace, hope and love, elements tangible in the school ethos.

The effectiveness of Religious Education is good The curriculum provides children with a good knowledge of Bible stories that enables them to talk lucidly about the birth, death and ministry of Jesus. Lessons are interesting, challenging, good and sometimes outstanding. Teaching objectives are clear and outcomes are assessed and recorded appropriate to a specific target and individual need. Children learn well because of the variety of activities and good resources. R.E. provides a firm foundation for assisting all children on their own spiritual journey and enables them to understand better the whole school community and the wider world. Knowledge of other faiths is good but incorporating visits to places of worship,where knowledge of faith differences could be understood at first hand, would assist learning. A revision of the R.E. curriculum could, for example, incorporate meeting children of other faiths to share experience of religious practice, including the celebration of festivals.

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school is outstanding.

Despite undergoing a time of change in senior management, the Acting Head teacher and other senior leaders are continuing to promote St. Stephen’s as a school based on Christian values. This is seen in the positive school ethos where staff are valued and led by example in the knowledge that their actions are far-reaching, inclusive and impact strongly on the individual and the wider school community. Questionnaires and the awarding of a certificate for being a ‘Leading Parent Partnership School,’ show that the vast majority of parents hold St. Stephen’s in high esteem. There is an immense sense of collegiality throughout the whole church school environment. Children also take an active role in the school management.

Their decisions are taken seriously and have resulted in planned improvements to the recreational facilities. Pupils also feel that they can confide in all the adults who work with them about any troubles they may have. Emerging school policies have clear aims and objectives and are consistent with the school development plan. A continuing vision is that of assisting the pupils on their spiritual journey and providing them with a more challenging R.E. curriculum. Governors have a strong commitment to maintaining and further developing the school’s Christian ethos.

SIAS report Sept. 2011, St. Stephen’s C.E. V.A. Primary school, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8PB