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What have been our successes this year?

Our motto is 'Opportunities for all to Succeed'

We will do our very best to allow your child to grow and become successful in what ever area it might be.

We are implementing our new creative curriculum, as we feel it is important that the education our children receive is more creative, hands-on and with real experiences - providing the children with life long learning skills.  Our children go on many visits and extended field trips.

ICT is very much the present and will be the future. Here at Cliff Lane Primary School, we feel it is vital that our children are confident with using ICT. To allow this to happen we have networked computers in all classrooms, interactive whiteboards in all classes, a modern computer suite, 31 laptop computers available with a wireless network system, visualisers and digi cameras in each class. We are linked via the internet to many countries in Europe though various projects.

We are very active in the sporting field. The headteacher is Chairman of the Sports Association and the school is very successful in local sports winning many events and competitions.

We also have nearly 20 extra curricular clubs catering for a variety of interests.

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What are we trying to improve?

We are constantly looking at ways to move the school forward and give the children an even better experience.

As mentioned earlier, the new creative curriculum is being developed to cover as many areas of the curriculum as possible, to really give that exciting, real, hands-on approach to the children's learning - How can computer technology and twinning with foriegn countries enhance this learning? - What experiences outside of the school can be brought to the children to broaden their understanding?

Although our SATs results are above average we are constantly considering how to move the children forward.

How can the children themselves have more understanding and involvement with their own learning? One example is that children have their own targets in literacy and numeracy which they evaluate to see their own successes and then consider their next steps.

How can parents take a lead role in developing their children's learning? We give parents a range of information to constantly update them of how their children are progressing. We offer parent classes, information evenings, pre-school clubs..... We consider parents as partners in developing their children's education.

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How much progress do pupils make between age 7 and 11?

Our school

Confidence interval

Evidence shows that on average children join our school at 3 or 4 years old slightly below national expectations (acorn data).

When the children leave Cliff Lane Primary School at 11 years old our SATs results are above average in all subjects. This demonstrates the good improvement that the children make (value added) during their time at the school. Our CVA score (national value-added score) put us in the top third of all schools nationally and the top 10% of schools in Ipswich.

But our moto is:

'Opportunities for all to Succeed'

So we also consider how the children can succeed in areas other than academically.

Our children and school have won awards relating to sporting achievement and FA Charter School, Active Mark, musical achievements, environmental awareness - Eco School, re-cycling - top school in Suffolk, International School Award, Supporting action in foreign countries, Cycling award, Developing the school ground and Ipswich in Bloom, supporting various charities as agreed by the school council.

We are also in the process of becoming a healthy school and achieving the Healthy Schools Award

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How well do pupils achieve at age 11?

The SATs results at the end of Key Stage 2 (11 years old) show above average results in all subjects.

Evidence (acorn data) shows that the children on average join the school at 3 and 4 years old slightly below national expectation. This demonstrates the good improvement and dedicated hard work all the staff offer the children at Cliff Lane Primary School.

Half the children who come to our school are from out of catchment, but choose to send their children to Cliff Lane Primary School because of its good reputation and results.

From our own and county target setting information it is expected that our results will continue to remain above national expectations and this is due to the efforts of all involved within the school. The staff, governors, parents, people in the local community and the children are working together to closely monitor and systematically evaluate all developments to achieve the same end results -children succeeding in all aspects of their lives.

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How have our results changed over time?

Half of our children come from out-of-catchment, as their parents choose to bring them here because of our good reputation

The very latest national data (Acorn Data) show that, overall children enter our school slightly below average. However, the children leave the school above national standards. This demonstrates that our children make significant improvements (value added) from 4 years old to 11 years old. Our CVA score (national value-added scores) put us in the top third of all schools nationally.

Our latest KS2 SATs results are above national average and this is expected to continue. Trends (looking at results over the last 4 years) in all the KS2 SATs results are up.

In Foundation Stage new records have been developed to monitor indivual achievements of the children. This again show how children enter the school slightly below average, but leave the Foundation Stage inline with national standards or above.

In last year's School Development Plan we implemented various strategies to develop the children's writing (a national concern). As a result 90% of our classes make good improvements - this is above national averages.

We analysis results in all years and continually look for ways to improve our already very good scores.

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How are we making sure that every child gets teaching to meet their individual needs?

At the beginning of each academic year every child is given an individual target in Reading, Writing and Maths. These are displayed in their classrooms in a written form that they will understand.

Each lesson the teacher will undertake informal assessments to see how well each child is developing towards their individual targets. They will also look at their targets when they are marking their books and give feedback to each child.

At the end of a block of work children will be given opportunities to review their own development against their targets and cosider their next steps.

Parents are also informed of their child's individual targets and of ways they can help their child at home. This is important as parents play a key part in their child's development.

At half term the children will complete an assessed piece of work in English and maths. The teacher will again look at their target and see if the child needs to move onto a higher target - high expectations. These results are monitored on the whole school system to see overall developments.

Parent recieve a termly report about how well their child is progressing and invited to a consultation evening to discuss the developments.

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How are we working with parents and the community?

LINKS WITH PARENTS

Parents supporting in school especially in whole school morning reading sessions each day
Weekly newsletter - available on email
1/2 termly Parents' forums - listening to parents opinions
Annual Parent questionnaires - finding out parents views

Parent Survey - during Parents Evenings to get parents views on various school initiatives
Information evenings held - developing parents understanding
Parent classes supporting parents in developing their ability to support their children
Pre-school classes to help parents support their children ready for school
Termly Reports and Target sheets given out to inform parents about their children's progress
Home visits before children join the Nursery
A strong and supportive PTA

LINKS WITH THE COMMUNITY

Community supporting in whole school morning reading sessions each day
Members of the community share their experiences in community assemblies

Local business support and help year 6 children in developing their confidence ready to transfer to High School
Community uses school facilities -  adult education classes, local Brownie group, many sport clubs etc
Work with local agencies to develop the care offered to our children and their families

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What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?

INFORMATION IS GATHERED
Pupils questionnaires - the vast majority are very happy and enjoy school life
We have a very active school council

Termly interviews with the children on various school issues - Governors involved
Talking to children individually and in assemblies

PUPILS LIKE
School trips and the field trip
Exciting and stimulating enrichment days every half term
Extra curricular activities led by staff, governors and parents
Caring staff
Their friends
Playtimes - MDAs offering small games and termly events

SOME DEVELOPMENTS
Interviews with children about their understanding of school developments - from listening to the children have adapted the school target setting system 
Talking with the children in assemblies and getting their opinions - The After School, Breakfast and Holiday Club - what activities were offered and what they would like to have
Student council involved with European project 'Pupils involved in developing positive behaviour in school' - this has created the 'Red Caps' - pupils who support other children unhappy or lonely at playtimes. From our European partner - Star Child of the Week - for each class to decide who!

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How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

The school is part of the Healthy Schools Award scheme - this involves cosidering how to develop the whole child in all aspects of their lives.

We have......

Only healthy snacks at breaktimes, Key Stage 2 have an in-school friut scheme, drinking water encouraged during lessons, healthy hot lunch available
Whole school enrichment days including a day participating in orienteering
FA Charter School

Active Mark Award
Part of Ipswich Primary Schools Sports Association - Head is Chairman
2 hours+ of PE a week
Head part of Multi-Agency Cluster steering groups.
Support from outside agencies - Beacon Hill School, Alderwood Pupil Rrferral Unit, Ipswich Family Support Service, Sure Start
Various nurture type groups set up
Gym-trail morning groups set up for developing gross motor skills
School nursing Team offer monthly drop-in sessions for parents
Breakfast club, After School Club and Holiday Club available
Agreed Reward and Behavior Systems discussed with parents, student council and the children - these include Headteacher's award, lunchtime reward, star pupil award, children support systems, cool time reward, individual class merits and rewards systems

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How do our absence rates compare with other schools?

We are working closely with parents, county, outside agencies and other local schools to keen our absence rates to as low as possible.

The East Ipswich Steering Group which involves the local schools and local agencies, have been working closely together for a number of years to build relationships and help all children in our schools. The Governments new Extended School initiative are now requiring all schools to follow this idea and bring about more co-operation. The East Ipswich Steering Group is well ahead in this new initiative and our children have already received the benefits. Part of this closer relationship and co-orperation is making sure children are regularly attending school. Though implementing various strategies and support from all, our numbers of absences are below national expectations.

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What activities and options are available to pupils?

In school we offer a full range of activities for our children though a developed enriched and creative curriculum. We also have many school visits and trips, guess speakers and groups in schools, outside agencies and organisations supporting the school with their specialist skills and links with schools in Europe and Africa.

We are also very proud of the range of extra curricular activities that we offer to the children.

AUTUMN + SPRING TERM
- School Choir KS 2
- Keep Fit Club Yr 2
- Football Yr 5/6 Boys
- Garden Club All years

- French Club KS1
- School Orchestra KS2
- Recorder Club Yr 4/5/6
- Premier Sports Club All years
- Street Dancing All years
- Netball Yr 6 Girls
- Bird Club KS 2
- Website Club G+T
- Football Yr 5/6 Girls
- Library Club KS2
- Indoor Cricket - Yr 5/6
- Sewing club - Yr 4

- Gym Club All years

- Art Club All years

In the Summer Term different clubs are offered (such as cycling proficiency, cricket club, rounders club and sailing), please read your school newsletters to find out what is available and when, or come in and ask at the school office.

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What do our pupils do after leaving this school?

Half of our children are from out of catchment and choose to come to our school because of our good reputation and above average results.

This means that our children go onto a variety of Secondary/High schools.

Last year the children went onto:

Copleston High School         8
East Bergholt High School    1
Holbrook High School           1
Holywells High School        24
Kesgrave High School          1
Northgate High School         2
St Albans High School          6
Westbourne High School      1

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What have we done in response to Ofsted?

RAISE TEACHERS' AND PUPILS' EXPECTATIONS
Annual targets are set for each child in lieracy and mathematics. These are set at 2/3rd of a level above their end of year ability (Ofsted - what good schools aim for). They are then discussed with the children. Termly assessments takes place and the target is monitored and evaluated by the teacher and the children - if a child has reached their target they moved up. Parents informed of targets and how they can help their child at home
Regular INSET on levelling childrens work to build staff's agreement on what is expected and national standards

ASSESSMENT GIVES TEACHERS AND PUPILS INFORMATION ON WHAT IS REQUIRED NEXT
Planning adapted and monitored monthly
Self assessment introduced and used to develop childrens opportunities to be involved in their own work
Marking reviewed and developed to give children more information on what they need to develop

CO-ORDINATORS' MONITORING IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Co-ordinators have support from headteacher and County to develop their ability to regularly monitor their subject - planning, lesson observations, work scrutiny
SATs and QCA analysed annually - leads into co-ordinators action plans

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More Information

If you would like more information about school policies, including our policies on special educational needs and disability, admissions, finance, school food and our complaints procedure, please contact us:

By telephone: 1473 251604

Our website: http://www.clifflane.suffolk.sch.uk

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