Saint Asaph Infant School Upper Road Saint Asaph Clwydd LL17 0RL : Local authority: Dates of inspection: 15th June 2015 Date of last inspection: January 2009 School’s unique reference number: 6633024 Headteacher: Nicola Blythin Inspector’s name: Christine Robinson :

School context This infant school is situated in the city of St Asaph, opposite the Cathedral. There are currently 114 children on roll between the ages of 3 and 7: 86 full time and 28 part time. The school was originally founded in 1863 as a school for 4 to 14 year olds. The building and substantial grounds offer a good learning environment.

The distinctiveness and effectiveness of St Asaph Infant School as a Church in school are GOOD There are positive features which reflect the Church school church status including the willingness of the head teacher and staff to develop the school’s Christian qualities.

The quality of relationships within the school is good.

The school has established a distinct Christian ethos which, in turn, has begun to underpin its life and work. In order that that the progress made is sustained and enhanced all stakeholders need to share a vision and responsibility for impact on the pupils’ all round development.

This school has good prospects for improvement as long as a well-established whole school development plan is established and adhered to.

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Established strengths

 Willingness from staff to lead the school forward  Positive behaviour strategies securely in place

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Focus for development  Include all stakeholders in developing a whole school planning programme which includes dated targets so that the Christian Values are secured and all staff are secure in understanding the way forward.

 Further structure the planning and implementation for Collective Worship in order that quality and meaningful worship is an everyday experience.

 Continue to improve planning and implement of Christian values and reflection areas throughout the school to further develop children’s spiritual journey.

The school, through its distinctive Christian character, is GOOD at meeting the needs of all learners At St Asaph Infant School pupils are nurtured within a secure environment. On entering the building displays, symbols and artefacts clearly represent that this is a caring place with a distinct ethos. Christian signage in the school ground offers a clear welcome. Corridors and classrooms have some interesting displays.

Pupils are keen to be helpful and show respect for their school. A positive behaviour policy is securely embedded.

Values have been chosen by each class and the creation of these is a good way forward. Recent Diocesan training for all staff has helped to establish this and there are early signs that these will be embedded within the Christian values. In order for this to become established greater planning and evaluation needs to be undertaken and monitoring and bible references included in order to clearly show the Christian foundation for each value being considered.

Parents are aware that this is a church school and value this. Information in newsletters is sometimes included though some parents would appreciate more information relating to the Christian character of the school.

Through the school council and eco committee children are involved in local, national and global issues, leading to pupils having respect. They learn about diversity and tolerance. The committee members are changed termly allowing all children in year 2 to share responsibility.

Teaching of Religious Education is linked to Foundation areas of learning. Planning needs to be secure and focussed so that monitoring and progress enable children to reach their potential and develop a deeper understanding of their faith as well as that of others. More able pupils would benefit from opportunities of exciting challenges.

Pupils demonstrate a knowledge of well-known Bible stories and can are beginning to make links with Values. Older pupils are beginning to ask questions and develop a deeper understanding of their faith.

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The impact of collective worship on the school is SATISFACTORY

Collective Worship makes a valuable contribution to school life. Children enter the hall in a prayerful manner. They listen and respond well.

Two acts of worship were observed, one whole school and one class based. The staff and children value these times and realise the significance of worship. The children silently and prayerfully enter the hall, a focus table is set up and Christian symbols including a cross, candle and bible are given a significant place.

Whole school worship is led by the head teacher and the one observed was a retelling of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Worship was appropriate to the age and interest of those present. The children mainly listened well and a few of the children were asked to help act out the story.

Whole school worship takes place each weekday with a differing daily emphasis. Some days there is a deeper meaningful service than on others, for instance hymn singing and celebration assemblies appear less focussed than when there is specific collective worship.

The Class Worship was an end of day “Thank you” celebration where the children sang and joined in school prayer and shared the day’s achievements. There was an element of bilingualism in both acts of worship.

As yet there is a limited pattern of Anglican practice.

The school’s outside area is a valuable resource for reflection time. The need to extend the use of this has already been identified as a way forward in the development plan.

The school visits to the Cathedral are a monthly feature and strength in helping to develop the Christian heritage of Wales. Here is a unique opportunity. When these visits for collective worship are planned with school, governors and clergy they will be able to make a stronger and significant contribution to the church school ethos. An interregnum, whilst posing some problems for the continuity of these services, has also offered opportunities for other priests to help.

The pattern of weekly worship includes opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. There are “Thank You” prayers written by the pupils and displayed in the school.

Prayer contributes to the spiritual development of the whole school community. . The school provides opportunities to celebrate religious festivals.

Following on from the last inspection focus the school now keeps a basic record of Collective Worship. As yet the planning for Collective Worship remains the responsibility of the head teacher. Securing more meaningful pattern of worship is imperative in order that planning, monitoring and recording involve all staff, governors and children.

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

The head teacher realises that in order that this moves forward a stronger emphasis on planning and

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Minutes of governing body as yet lack informative reporting on church school elements. Therefore there is a need to establish good practice and plan for regular discussion of church school matters during governor meetings. Because of many recent changes to the governing body, including that of Foundation governors, there is a need for a clear and informed role in order to take the school forward.

Staff are keen to support the children.

The school section 50 development plan is a recently established document. If time and costings are included, delegated persons take responsibility, and the documentation is monitored, then a shared vision will become stronger.

There is much to commend this school and the potential prospects for improvement are good.

The school meets the statutory requirement for collective acts of worship Yes

The Inspector wishes to thank everyone in the school for the warm welcome and courteousness shown throughout the inspection

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