6 Mar 2008 - Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools
Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools
Report
School:
Marksbury,
Status: Voluntary Controlled
Diocese:
Local Authority:
Date of Inspection; 1st February 2008
Date of last Inspection: 11th February, 18th, 19th March 2004
School’s unique ref. no. 109199
Name of Headteacher: Mrs Lucy Taylor
Chair of Governors: Mrs Carole Allen Smith
Inspector’s name & NS no: Mrs
School Context
Marksbury Church of England Primary School is a village school with 92 children on roll, accommodated in 4 classes. Its popularity has increased substantially over recent years and it is now at full capacity. The school serves a number of villages and hamlets in the locality as well as the
Summary Judgement
The distinctiveness and effectiveness of
Significant and sustained improvement has been fully embedded due to the highly effective leadership of the headteacher and the Rector.
Established Strengths
- The enthusiasm and commitment of the headteacher, together with the governing body in promoting and actively developing the school’s Christian ethos
- The dynamic partnership between the headteacher and the local rector in developing Religious Education and Collective Worship.
- Uniquely pivotal role played by the Rector, as an inspirational church leader, in the daily life of the school
Focus for development
- Further develop the quality of teaching of RE, with particular emphasis on other faiths
- Pursue the development of sustainable links with the world wide church
The school, through its distinctive Christian character, is Outstanding in the way it meets the needs of all learners
A strong Christian ethos permeates all aspects of school life. All children make good progress in all aspects of their learning and flourish as individuals. This is due, in part, to the school’s focus on the whole curriculum, with particular emphasis being paid to music, the arts and sport. All members of the school community feel valued and special. Parents talk appreciatively about the open atmosphere and excellent care given to their children and the way they themselves are cared for, for example, when a parent or family member is ill. Each week the whole school goes swimming together and it is the older children who care for the younger ones, ensuring they are well, supported and happy. The Rector, known in school as Reverend Jan is a pivotal figure with parents as well as staff, governors and children. A group of members from the school community recently travelled to Wells Cathedral to share in Reverend Jan’s installation as a Prebendary. There is a great sense of sharing and giving in school and beyond it. Personal invitations from the older children are sent to villagers to join the school for their special church services each year at Christmas. A beautiful batik banner, on display in the school hall was given by the local congregation to mark the headteacher’s commissioning service and is a constant reminder of the school’s place at the heart of the worshipping community. The spiritual dimension is a tangible strand woven throughout school life. The peace garden was designed by the children on the theme of the creation. Christian symbols are integral to the whole building and the new school sign is a source of great pride. Opportunities exist for children to pray and reflect. There are, however other occasions during the school day when prayer or quiet reflection might also be appropriate and helpful. Children talk about Christ’s teachings as having real meaning in their world. One child described Jesus as being “like the pupil council,” ensuring that wrongs were quickly righted. The teaching of Religious Education and Personal & Social Education play a key role in helping children to be thoughtful, empathetic and demonstrating Christian care for one another. A child said he felt he understood what it was like to be a refugee following a unit of work in RE. Relationships are particularly open and warm at all levels. The school’s Christian vision is tangible because it is shared and lived out by all.
The impact of Collective Worship on the school community is Outstanding
Collective Worship occupies a very important place in the life of the school. All staff and other adults present in school attend and this creates a church school family atmosphere which strengthens the school’s distinctive Christian ethos. The planning, monitoring and evaluation of collective worship is extremely well coordinated by the headteacher assisted by Reverend Jan and with the involvement of all staff. Themes for worship follow the Christian festivals and a well established cycle of Christian values, illustrated by a continuous strand of Bible stories. The act of collective worship/assemby observed led by the Rector was outstanding. She told the narrative of Jesus stilling the storm, orchestrating the relevant sound effects from the children, so that as one child described it, “you feel like you are seeing a video, you are actually there.” Children’s behaviour and responses are excellent. The setting created a calm, reverent atmosphere with a strong spiritual dimension during which a small French child, who had only recently arrived in this country, felt able to speak in English publicly for the first time. The response of the staff, to this event, was strong testimony to the palpable sense of love within the school community. The learners’ understanding of the Anglican faith and practice is much in evidence by the use of hymns, candle, cross, prayers and final closing phrase “Go with God”. Music set a reflective tone, the recorder group played and then a hymn sung enthusiastically by all. Children felt a strong sense of meaning and empathy from the acts of worship, particularly describing the messages from Bible stories they hear and the relevance of Jesus’ teachings to modern life. For instance, one child said how sad she felt if someone was hurt and another that Jesus taught us “to be a better person, inside as well as outside”.
The leadership and management of the school as a Church School is Outstanding
The headteacher and governors provide exceptionally effective leadership and work in close partnership. They are totally committed to the development of the Christian Foundation of the school and are supported in this by the input of Reverend Jan, described by all members of the community as “ truly amazing” The school is a warm, loving community fulfilling the Christian vision described by one governor “for children to be and know that they are loved” Governors are justifiably proud of the school and many are very involved in its daily life, in a challenging as well as a supportive role. Great value is placed by them on the “welcome in action” which takes place each morning as each member of the school is welcomed by another member. The hospitality of eating together at lunch time is promoted, whereby all adults (staff, governors, parents) are invited to sit and eat a complimentary school dinner with the children and enjoy fellowship together. The development of the school’s Christian foundation is a vital strand in the school strategic planning and is monitored through systems which involve the staff, governors and parents in an atmosphere of complete openness. Religious Education is well lead by the headteacher advised by Rev Jan. RE teaching is good as seen during a lesson which excited and engaged the children, promoting their understanding of belonging to a church school family by the use of everyday religious artefacts. There are strong and highly effective links between the local community, school and parish. They act as one body, mutually supportive of one another. This is demonstrated in the way staff raise funds for the village, members of the local congregation cook with the children and the PCC donates monies for the children’s transport to the annual carol service at Bath Abbey. Governors value the staff highly, ensuring that one inset day each year is focussed on their well- being, including developing spirituality. There is great appreciation for the influential work of Reverend Jan in making real difference to the school by her evolving partnership with the headteacher, being a critical friend to her and the governors and for being a very positive model of Christianity in action. All the areas identified at the last inspection for development have been addressed well and the school is in a good position to maintain its high standards.
This inspection was carried out on behalf of the Diocese of Bath & Wells in whose area the school is set, in accordance with Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. The inspection framework used is that established by The National Society of the Church of England for the denominational inspection of church schools for all dioceses in
Your comments or complaints should be addressed to the Education Department, The Diocese of Bath & Wells, The Old Deanery, Wells, Somerset BA5 2UG. Further information about inspection of church schools can be obtained from the National Society’s website at www.natsoc.org.uk.