National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools Report
Brompton on Swale Church of England VC Primary School
Brompton Park
Brompton on Swale
Richmond
DL10 7JW
Diocese: Ripon & Leeds
Local authority: North Yorkshire
Dates of inspection: 3 November 2011
Date of last inspection: 29 – 30 June 2005
School’s unique reference number: 121481
Headteacher: Michael White
Inspector’s name and number: Geraldine Cooper 696
School context
The school serves the village of Brompton on Swale with a total of 184 pupils on role. Pupils come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. Approximately 30% of pupils are from service families and there is a high proportion of pupil movement. The majority of children are White British. There have been changes in staffing and there is a new incumbent since the last inspection. The school holds many national awards and prides itself on sport and the performing arts.
The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Brompton on Swale Voluntary Controlled Primary School as a Church of England school is good.
The Headteacher and senior management have a commitment to the school as a church school. The school places a strong emphasis on Christian values which are displayed in the classroom and form the basis of curriculum planning. Children have a stimulating curriculum which fosters their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and nurtures respect and responsibility. Parents recognise the school as a Church school in which all stakeholders are valued and cared for. The school has worked closely with the Diocese and this is evident in the effective approach to planning and evaluating Collective Worship.
Established strengths
·  An exciting and enjoyable curriculum in which Christian values are embedded.
·  Pupil involvement in the planning and delivery of collective worship.
·  Strong and committed leadership from the headteacher and governing body which enables staff and pupils to develop to their full potential.
Focus for development
·  Establish a programme of professional development for staff and governors through which they identify and evaluate the factors which will enable the school to develop further as a distinctive church school.
·  Re-affirm links with the local church community through the active contribution of the full establishment of Foundation Governors in monitoring the effectiveness of the school’s distinctive character.
·  Enhance the spiritual experience of pupils through creative use of the school environment.
The school, through its distinctive Christian character, is good at meeting the needs of all learners
Christian values are clearly identified throughout the school and are incorporated in the planning of an exciting curriculum; stewardship of the environment was linked to key stage 1 work on farming. Children talk articulately and enthusiastically about what they learn and can apply their learning to other situations; pupils could extrapolate from curriculum stimulus on an ‘alien’ to talking about how we cope with fear. The school has worked closely with the Diocese and links to a school in Africa are being developed, this has yet to be fully integrated into the curriculum. Children talk about the excellent relationships that they have with their teachers and the ways that they are supported and challenged in their learning. The school has high expectations, through its platinum pupil scheme, of pupils in key stage two taking structured responsibilities across all areas of school life. Younger pupils see older pupils as role models and talk of looking forward to being ‘big… so I can help the little ones’. Parents describe staff as being approachable and supportive. One parent talked of the school as ‘going the extra mile’, another said that matters were followed up to ensure that ‘situations remain resolved’. The school environment is stimulating and vibrant with an emphasis on stimulus rather than pupil work. Posters of Christian beliefs, values and school prayers are displayed in every classroom. The external environment maximises the enjoyment of the school’s extensive grounds but opportunities have not been fully developed, within or outside the building, to promote a sense of the spiritual or sacred.
The impact of collective worship on the school community is outstanding
The attitude of all learners to collective worship is very positive. Children of all ages engage in collective worship which is often planned and led by pupils. The school has a strong tradition in music and this is evident in the enthusiastic way that pupils’ worship through singing. Prayers are often written by pupils and children are sensitively led through ‘reflection time’ when they may focus on a lighted candle, a picture or close their eyes. Children speak positively about being supported by collective worship and prayer. They comment favourably on the fact that there are prayers four times a day and that they are encouraged to write prayers for the prayer tree. A key stage one child spoke of the way in which she felt motivated; ‘I like seeing how good they’ve been and then learn from it’. Other children spoke of the different ways in which worship is presented; ‘calm, joyous, funky’. The school has effectively developed pupil participation in the leadership of collective worship. An ‘Assembly Club’ has been involved in the planning and evaluation of collective worship. The club has been supported by staff in defining effective worship. This informs the worship that they lead and enables them to offer guidance to others in the school. The evaluation process, which now includes a Foundation Governor, has been refined and this is used to inform planning and delivery. Visitors from local Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal churches lead collective worship as does the local incumbent. Parents and pupils speak positively about the celebration of festivals; Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas and Easter in the school and regret that these no longer take place in the church. The practice of holding ‘Church at school’ twice yearly is welcomed by parents and children and is seen as a way of cementing the Anglican tradition of the school.
The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school is good
Parents and children speak very positively about their trust in the leadership of the school. Parents speak specifically of the impact that the school has on the attitudes and behaviour of their children. The Headteacher is described by the senior teachers and governors as having a clear understanding of the Christian ethos of the school ‘from vision to day by day planning’ but this needs to be more firmly grounded in Christian teaching. The school strives constantly for excellence and works closely with the diocese the local authority and other partners. Parents speak about effective communication between school and home. The school’s excellent sports facilities are used by the local community and there are effective links with the probation service. The recently completed barn project is evidence of the commitment of parents and community to the school. It is clear from the designation of responsibilities in the school and the commitment to continuing professional development of all staff that the governing body and headteacher are cognisant of effective succession planning. There is a ‘brutal and honest’ ethos of self reflection and self evaluation but this has yet to focus fully on the distinctiveness of the school as a church school which is described by one of the Foundation Governors as being in need of ‘sharpening up’. The Assistant Head-teacher responsible for church school ethos has worked closely with a Foundation Governor and a review has been commenced but not yet implemented. The school looks forward to an appointment to the long standing vacancy for a Foundation Governor which will assist with this process. Plans are in place for this to be the focus of a future governing body meeting. Parents clearly welcome the links between church and school and look forward to these being strengthened.

SIAS report November 2011, Brompton on Swale Church of England VC Primary School, Brompton on Swale, DL10 7JW