National Society Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools Report Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate Church Of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Chop Gate Middlesbrough TS9 7JL Diocese: York Local authority: North Yorkshire Dates of inspection: 4th July 2012 Date of last inspection: 16 th July 2008 School’s unique reference number: 121480 Headteacher: Mrs E Marsden Inspector’s name and number: Mrs Gillian Dorman-Smith 752 School context Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate is a very small primary school serving a wide rural community. There are18 pupils on roll organised into two classes. All pupils are of White British heritage. Since 2003 the school has been confederated with a slightly larger voluntary aided school at nearby Carlton. On one day each week the two schools work together at the Carlton Faceby site. The headteacher has been appointed since the last inspection. The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate as a Church of England school are outstanding The school has a longstanding role as a Christian presence in the community and it provides an excellent distinctive Christian education for all pupils. Outstanding behaviour and attitudes stem from an ethos which embeds Christian values throughout the school. The inspirational leadership of the headteacher is highly effective in developing strong team work of staff, governors and clergy who consistently work together to focus on the needs of each pupil as a unique individual. Established strengths • The exceptional vision of the headteacher in strengthening and developing the ethos of this church school. • Outstanding focused pastoral care for each child provided by staff. • Pupils’ significant care and concern for each other resulting from the vibrant Christian ethos of the school. Focus for development • Develop a range of opportunities for pupils to plan and lead collective worship. • Determine a system by which the school can invite governors and parents to attend collective worship in school and provide evaluative feedback. The school, through its distinctive Christian character, is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners. Explicitly taught Christian values on which the school is built nurture the development of all pupils. They permeate all aspects of school from displays to documentation. One pupil commented: ‘they teach you what to do in life.’ The vibrant welcoming atmosphere of the school is valued by parents and pupils feel extremely safe and happy. As a result children develop into reflective, tolerant individuals respecting and valuing differences recognising that they are all part of a wider Christian community. Pupils’ behaviour is excellent because of the consistent approach shown by staff which helps them all to feel valued as unique individuals. The prominence of the school’s motto; ‘believe and achieve’, highlights the consistent Christian encouragement given by staff to pupils. They are helped to achieve highly across the curriculum so that outcomes are good and they are justly proud of their sporting successes within the area. Pupils understand the importance of supporting others for example through the shoe box appeal and other charitable giving. Families hold the school in exceptionally high regard. They recognise the excellent pastoral care that their children receive which enables them to thrive. Typical of comments made by parents is: ‘I couldn’t pay for a better education for my children.’ The school environment is greatly valued and makes a positive impact in strengthening the Christian ethos of the school and pupils’ development is nurtured through their experiences as part of the ‘Forest Schools’ Project. The gazebo and willow wigwam provide opportunities for reflection and when necessary for resolution of any conflict. The impact of collective worship on the school community is outstanding. Collective worship is central to the school day and makes an outstanding contribution to pupils’ spiritual and moral development. It is systematically and thoroughly planned and pupils are enthusiastic and engaged. They welcome the opportunity to regularly provide feedback to their teachers about worship time. Teachers systematically reflect on the planned worship themes. They review their plans and use a number of both planned and informal opportunities afforded by this small school to discuss ‘how it has gone’. Themes for worship are chosen with care to reflect the church calendar. Approaches to worship include biblical references, songs and prayers, all of which are linked to the school’s distinctive Christian values. The vicar‘s weekly leading of collective worship is valued by the school community. There are also regular opportunities for pupils to participate for example in reading prayers. Participation however, does not include extended independent opportunities for pupils to plan and lead worship. Children speak knowledgeably about Christian artefacts and in particular of the doll, Vicar Fred, which helps them learn about liturgical colours in season. Prayers which are said before lunch and at the end of the school day hold a central place in the school and prayer is greatly valued by pupils of all ages. Children independently use prayers that they have been taught such as the Lord’s Prayer and older pupils comment how they pray at home. They recognise that God is their Father and want to pray. One pupil commented that prayer was his opportunity to have his ‘own word with God.’ Pupils experience Anglican traditions and liturgy in the rhythm of the church year and through attendance at the parish church for key Christian festivals. These church occasions are highly valued by parents who speak of a strong sense of Christian community as they worship together. Parents and governors, however, cannot share collective worship in school because of the restriction of space. Their children frequently talk to them at home about what has happened in collective worship and as a result they would value the opportunity to share in worship at school and provide feedback to staff. They believe that this would further increase the strong sense of a worshipping Christian community. The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the school as a church school is outstanding. The headteacher’s energy and enthusiasm highlight her exceptional passion and clear vision for the school underpinned by Christian values. As a result children, staff and parents articulate how the school’s Christian values impact personally on them. The headteacher is well supported by the governing body who systematically evaluate the work of the school. This contributes to the strong leadership of the school. While governors recognise and value the joint working with the confederated school they work extremely closely with staff on all aspects of school self evaluation to retain the distinctiveness of Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate school. The foundation governor is particularly active in the school making a major contribution to the development of pupils’ spirituality through the development of Godly Play activities. Excellent partnerships with the immediate local community are fostered by the headteacher. Pupils and staff speak of their pride in the book they have compiled about the history of their church school to which many members of the community have made a contribution. In addition there is great enthusiasm for activities such as the Pentecost Picnic. Parents find staff extremely approachable, commenting how Christian values are lived out on a daily basis to support their children and school families. They praise staff for providing an excellent foundation for the development of the Christian faith for their children. The partnership with the parish church and in particular the vicar who plays an active and prayerful role in supporting the school’s mission allows all leaders to be reflective in developing the school. Strong links with a Sri Lankan school help pupils appreciate a wider understanding of the world including the Buddhist religion. Other opportunities afforded by the RE curriculum such as learning about the Jewish faith and traditions are rich memorable experiences for pupils. SIAS report July 2012 Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate CE VC Primary School. TS9 7JL .