pdf School inspection report - Ofsted

unaided. They recognise basic shapes and some children name them clearly. Higher
attaining children count successfully in twos with the help of a number line.
Knowledge and understanding of the world
83. Attainment is below national expectations. Teachers plan an imaginative range of
activities to promote children’s curiosity and interest in the world around them. These
are introduced in the nursery class and are continued throughout the reception year.
Good teaching has a positive effect on children’s ability to make sense of their
immediate surroundings. By the time they are aged five they have an increased
understanding of their position in their family, the area in which they live and changes
which take place. Progress is limited by the difficulties which most children have in
explaining or recording their experiences. All children realise that they were once
babies and that babies grow into toddlers and later go to school. Learning is well
supported by visits to school by parents with babies and with small children. Children
in reception class are given opportunities to prepare a meal for a small child with adult
support. In the nursery, children develop their sense of direction by finding their way
along a simple floor map. Teachers in reception classes organise visits to the local
shops to further improve geographical awareness.
Creative development
84. Standards in creative development are in line with national expectations by the age of
five. When children enter the nursery they have poor control of pencils and crayons.
Teaching methods and the support provided for children are very good. As a result,
children quickly improve their confidence and control using a wide range of media and
make good progress. They mix colours for themselves and paint large pictures with
clear, recognisable features. They use malleable materials such as dough for making,
for example, a three-dimensional model of the baby they have painted. Drawing skills
are less well developed and many children have difficulty in making clear pictures with
pencil or crayon. Most children use glue brushes and paste competently for collage
work. In the reception classes, the range of activities is widened further to include
printing and examples of the work seen were clear and attractive. The majority of
children take part willingly and confidently in imaginative play, although some find it
difficult to communicate ideas in their home language or English. In assemblies and
dance lessons, they sing familiar songs tunefully and enthusiastically.
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