Summary of OFSTED Report on the Alcuin School
 
Here is a summary of some of the main points from the OFSTED Inspection in December 2004
 
This is a school with some strengths. It provides a broad and well enriched curriculum which enables most pupils to attain appropriate standards.
 
The pupils are very well cared for and their personal development is very good. Very effective provision is made for their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This is a major strength of the school. By the age of 11 most pupils achieve well. The school has a good record of success in entrance examinations for selective secondary schools.
What the school does well
 * pupils attain high standards by age 11 and do well in competitive examinations;
* pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very good;
* the curriculum is broad and enriched by a good range of extra-curricular activities, visits and visitors; and
* the accommodation is spacious and attractive. Good use is made of specialist facilities.The quality of the curriculum
 
It is appropriate for each age group, broad and balanced and enables most pupils to attain standards in line with their capability.
 
The curriculum provides appropriate opportunities for the pupils to experience all the required areas of learning.
 
 
The curriculum is appropriately matched to the ages and aptitudes of the pupils, including those with special educational needs.
 
There is a good emphasis of the development of pupils' oral, literacy and numeracy skills. Their information and communication technology skills are also promoted through work across the curriculum. The school places particular emphasis on singing and drama.
 
… there is a good range of extra-curricular activities. Chess is a strength and pupils have scored notable successes in local, regional and national competitions. A good variety of visits and visitors enrich the pupils' learning.
The quality of the teaching and assessment
 
A third of lesson observed were good and none were unsatisfactory.
The most successful teaching demonstrates effective management of both time and pupil behaviour. The planning incorporates a range of teaching strategies and appropriate praise for achievement. In most cases, teachers listen carefully to the pupils' responses to questions and use this information to remodel questions to secure better understanding. Homework is given to reinforce and extend the work completed in class time.
 
There is an appropriate assessment policy and teachers mostly maintain records which are used to detail pupils' achievements and to furnish regular reports for parents. Sound assessment is evident in some lessons which results in the lesson pace and direction being changed to match the needs and abilities of pupils.
 
In most lessons the quality of behaviour and relationships is generally very good.
 
The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
 
Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is very good. This is a major strength of the school. The pupil's spiritual development is very good and is facilitated through a wide range of activities within both the formal and informal curriculum.
… pupils are encouraged to understand and appreciate the beauty and mystery of the natural world and this is frequently achieved by visits to beautiful places of interest and talks by visitors to the school.
Moral education is an aspect of the pupils' development upon which the school places considerable emphasis.
 
Pupils are given close guidance on how to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships. There is a strong emphasis on respect and courtesy for all as in some very thoughtful, good quality writing in Years 5 and 6.
The pupils' social development is good. They are expected and encouraged to respect and behave well towards each other, their teachers and other adults about the school. The pupils respond well to these expectations.
 
Pupils delight in the achievements of others through, for example, the awards ceremonies during the school assemblies. They work and play well together, and co-operate happily in small groups. They show an ability to understand the needs of others and opportunities are periodically provided for activities to raise money for national medical and other charities. Pupils have to engage socially with other pupils from different schools through many competitive sporting activities and a wide and impressive range of chess tournaments.
Pupils are very aware of cultural diversity within the world around them and they are provided with numerous opportunities for exploring their own cultures in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony between different traditions. This is a strength of the school's ethos and curriculum.
The curriculum is strongly multi-cultural in character and particularly in relation to religious education, language and the creative arts. The curriculum is richly embellished with studies of Sanskrit, the main world theological traditions, abhinaya dance and music, and singing.
 
 
 
 
The welfare, health and safety of the pupils
The school is very thorough in ensuring the health and safety of the pupils and staff.
The school's philosophical ethos is clearly focused on the quality of relationships and good behaviour which is rooted in mutual respect. The policy to promote good behaviour is reflective of this philosophy.
The school's health and safety policy is comprehensive.
The school acts responsibly in relation to the supervision of pupils at all times.
The suitability of the premises and accommodation
The accommodation is suitable for its purpose and offers ample space for the current number of pupils on roll.
The available teaching spaces allows for a suitable range of specialist areas including science, design and technology, art, music, physical education and a recently designated information and communication technology suite which has been well equipped with computers.
The school is well maintained to a high level.
 
The quality of information for parents and other partners
Regular and informative newsletters are sent home to parents and there is a wide range of activities which successfully foster the community aspects of the school. Parents report that they are generally happy with the information they receive from the school and feel welcome there.
 
The full report is available on request from the school office or can be viewed on the OFSTED website.