National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools Report
Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.
Lingfield Approach, Leeds. LS17 7HL
Diocese of Ripon and Leeds.
Date of SIAS Inspection: 16th October 2006.
URN: 108045
NOR: 152
Headteacher, (Acting): Mrs. Helen Stott
Team Rector: Reverend Canon Charles Dobbin
Chair of Governors: Mrs Barbara Armstrong
SIAS Inspector and National Society Number: Mr. John M Bushell 156

Context

Archbishop Cranmer C.E. (Aided) School draws from a wide catchment area, and provides for children from a range of ethnic backgrounds. The school has strong links with the team ministry and Anglican churches of St John’s Moortown, St Stephen’s, Moor Allerton and St Barnabas, Alwoodley, as well as the local Methodist Church. Due to falling numbers, consultation is underway regarding amalgamation with a neighbouring community primary school, and the school will change to Voluntary Controlled status, with effect from September 2007. The newly named school will be situated on the present Archbishop Cranmer site.

Summary Judgement

Archbishop Cranmer is a good church school with outstanding aspects, including, the distinctive Christian character, the impact of collective worship and the visionary leadership of the acting headteacher. At its core, is a Christian ethos, which permeates school life and there is a strong sense of responsibility for self and respect for others.

Established strengths

·  The distinctive and inclusive Christian ethos, which permeates the daily life of the school, values and respects diversity and enables children to develop their sense of responsibility towards others.
·  The leadership of the school, including the visionary approach provided by the acting headteacher, and the support provided by the foundation governors.

·  The positive attitudes and responsive good behaviour of the pupils

·  The high quality of collective worship enriched through the involvement of a range of clergy and visitors and the use of music and dance.

Focus for development

·  Develop focused assessment strategies in RE, which more concisely address the planned learning objectives.
·  Involve the wider school community in planning the themes for Collective Worship
·  Extend the parent and foundation governors’ prayer group to include prayers written by children.

The school through its distinctive Christian character, is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners.

The inclusive ethos, together with the mission to promote the development of spiritual and moral awareness, underpins school life. There is a tangible sense of an optimistic and enthusiastic Christian witness within the school, demonstrated by the large three-dimensional cross in the entrance hall, which incorporates photographs of all of the children, and in the whole school environment, with stimulating displays. Children appreciate a range of religions and cultures, and celebrate diversity through, for example, the Leeds ‘Shout and Share’ event, which included a dance based performance by the ‘ABC, (Archbishop Cranmer), Saints’. The Christian ethos is evident in the relationships and attitudes across the whole community, including all support staff. The behaviour of the pupils is very good - they are considerate and courteous and very confident in expressing their own views. The proactive School Council provides pupils from across the school with very good opportunities to raise and resolve issues and take responsibility, including a range of fund raising activities for charities and improvements to the external environment. Older pupils take responsibility in supporting younger children at playtimes; the older pupils serve as buddies for new children. The Learning Mentor provides a sensitive level of support for the work of the School Council and the buddies.

Children benefit from a wide range of cultural activities such as themed events on, ‘food in different cultures and faiths’, ‘Islamic Day’, and ‘Black History’ month and the visit of the ‘Black Theatre Group’. The children’s awareness of the needs of others is raised through a range of charity work, such as the recent support for the Macmillan coffee morning, St George’s Crypt and St Gemma’s Hospice. The school reaches out to the local community including entertaining the elderly.

The impact of collective worship on the school community is outstanding.
Worship plays a central role in the life of the school following the church calendar, within the Anglican tradition. Collective Worship is carefully planned, recorded and evaluated. All staff lead worship and the ‘Team Ministry’ makes a most valuable contribution together with other visitors such as the Methodist Youth Leader and clergy from St George’s Crypt and ‘Godly Play. A small prayer group for parents is held in school on a regular basis. The school holds services in the Church at key times including, Easter, Christmas and a service for the leavers, Services are very well supported by extended families and all children take a full part in leading prayers, dance and music. The harvest festival is held in school and linked to work in the classrooms, with prayers and paintings within the theme of ‘The Lord of the Harvest.’ There is good use of questioning and resources and the worship is led with enthusiasm for example a candle is lit and empathetic themes such as ‘World Food Day’, supported by the lunchtime menu. Music provides an atmosphere of calm and reverence with prayers and hymns/songs related to the theme The Mission Statement for the week, for example, “I try to tell the truth, even when it is hard”, is shared with the children and displayed in classrooms. The children are very well behaved showing appropriate reverence and respect and responding very positively.

The effectiveness of the Religious Education is good.

Lessons are carefully planned and well resourced, including the use of ICT. The school has reviewed and developed the RE curriculum in line with the new Diocesan Syllabus. The teaching reinforces the moral development of the children. Good relationships were evident in all classes. The teachers provide for spiritual development in RE, such as with the work on sacred texts in year 6. The attitudes of the pupils are positive, confident and sensitive to the beliefs of others, such as in the work on food and celebration in Diwali, the Passover and the Greek Orthodox Church. Very good use is made of peer discussion, debates, role-play and practical activities. Visits from clergy, including the Bishop and the Archdeacon, make a positive contribution and the faith backgrounds of staff provide a rich resource. In the RE books, standards and progress achieved are satisfactory. However, there is some outstanding RE work including, poetry on St Paul’s conversion, and year 5’s ‘Questions for God’ and ‘what do year 2 children think about God’. Children were able to recall and discuss what they had learned such as in year 4 on the story of Moses. The teaching was always good and sometimes outstanding. Assessment strategies in RE need to address the planned learning objectives more concisely.

The leadership and management of the school as a church school are good.

The quality of leadership makes a positive contribution. The involvement of Foundation Governors helps to promote the distinctive vision through their frequent presence and their links with the Parochial Church Council on which the Acting head also serves in an ex-officio capacity. The philosophy of the headteacher and management team is underpinned by an enthusiastic, reflective and visionary approach. Relationships between staff were observed to be good and built upon friendliness and respect and staff act as good, positive role models. The monitoring of teaching and learning in RE is systematic and good use is made of lesson observations. Parents have day-to-day contact with staff. Children and parents are kept informed through newsletters and informal conversations. Parents are welcomed into school and attend the church and class acts of worship. Questionnaires for parents have been conducted and communications with parents are good.

SIAS report October 2006 Archbishop Cranmer Aided Primary School Leeds LS17 7HL