Veryan 2003

DIOCESE OF TRURO

Introduction

Ethos of the school

Collective worship

Religious education (RE)

Progress since the last denominational inspection

Commendations

Issues for development

Conclusion

DIOCESE OF TRURO

DENOMINATIONAL INSPECTION OF
VERY AN C OF E V A PRIMARY SCHOOL
Summary of Report on Collective Worship, Religious Education and School Ethos
Dates of Inspection: Chair of Governors: Headteacher:
Denominational Inspector:
30th June and 3rd July 2003 Miss H Couch
Rev F Surridge
Dr P Jennings
The inspection is carried out on the instructions of the governing body in accordance with Section 23 of the
School Inspections Act 1996 to report on the extent to which the life of the school reflects its Church of
England foundation.
The main areas of the inspection are:
school ethos
collective worship
religious education
contribution of school ethos, collective worship and religious education to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and
cultural development
progress since the last denominational inspection Back to top

Introduction

Veryan Primary Church of England Voluntary Aided School was originally built in the 1860s to serve the
village of Veryan and the surrounding area. The school premises are in a good state of repair and decoration,
and a new classroom, office/staffroom and toilets were added in 1998. A computer suite with 11 computers
was created within the existing facilities in 2002. The school admits children aged from four to eleven years
and at the time of the inspection had 73 pupils. Since the last denominational inspection in July 1998 there
have been major changes to the governing body, including a new chair of governors. The present parish priest
has been in place for one year, after an interregnum of around 18 months. Back to top

Ethos of the school

The school's Mission Statement, revised January 2003, describes the school as a place where the church's faith
is lived, where children may explore the truths of Christianity, respect the beliefs and practices of other faiths,
ald have a basis for choice about religious commitment. In the school's day to day living, whole school
collective worship that is clearly Christian sets the tone for each day, and pupils say prayers at the end of the
morning, before lunch, and at the end of each day. Almost all parents are very happy with the ways in which
the school expresses its Christian character, although a number of parents have expressed their unhappiness
with the absence of support from the parish church/vicar.
Relationships between pupils, staff and parents are excellent. There is an overall atmosphere of cheerfulness
and enthusiasm, and a readiness to help at all levels.
The school uses the Parish Church for celebrations of the major Christian festivals and for end of term
services. Links with the local community are very good. Pupils take part in village events such as the
Christmas and Easter fairs, and lead the Remembrance Day service. Two
Year 6 pupils go to help at a playgroup most weeks, and the village autumn show, part of which takes place in
school, is well attended, as are the children's concerts.
The school provides very well for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school
prospectus stresses the importance of developing pupils' self-esteem and self
confidence, and there is very good provision for these aspects of spiritual development in assemblies and
circle time. The excellent environmental education programme gives pupils the opportunity to gain a
sense of awe and wonder at the natural world. The school makes excellent provision for pupils' moral
development. In helping to decide classroom rules based on the school code and in participating in school
council meetings, pupils learn for themselves how to judge right from wrong. Provision for social
development is excellent. It is enhanced by the wide range of after-school clubs and visits to places of
educational interest, which ensure that pupils work together in a variety of different groupings and social
contexts. Provision for cultural development is very good. Pupils participate in numerous local and
county-wide activities. Additionally, visits from a Zambian lady, the headteacher's visits to India, teaching
materials provided by the Cornish Association for the Development of Education, and excellent use of the
Internet provide very well for pupils' cultural development. Back to top

Collective worship

Collective worship meets statutory requirements in its provision of a daily act of worship for all pupils,
normally as a whole-school activity. Acts of worship are led in turn by the class teachers, with visits from
representatives of a local Crusader group, Ambassadors for Christ, a number of charities, and a lady from
Zambia. All staff attend the Friday assemblies, when children are rewarded for achievement. Parents are
encouraged to attend, as this can be a practical demonstration of the way home and school 'work together
to worship God' and support their children's achievements. Pupils are taken to the parish church for
special services.
The school's Collective Worship Policy states that themes are taken from the traditions of the Christian
faith and often 'reflect the festivals and events of the Christian calendar'. Two whole-school acts of
worship were observed by the Section 23 inspector. In each case pupils were very attentive throughout. In
each case, the assembly was carefully planned, pupils were eager to answer questions, and were silent and
respectful during the worship leader's prayer. Some were willing themselves to say a prayer. In each case,
the children sang with enormous enthusiasm. Parents comment on how much the children enjoy the
singing. If school worship consistently reaches the observed very high standard, it makes an excellent
contribution to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Back to top

Religious education (RE)

The school follows closely the Cornwall agreed syllabus 2000-2005 and Diocesan
recommendations. In each of the three lessons observed, one in each class, the quality of teaching was
excellent. Each lesson was carefully planned and a wide variety of teaching strategies were employed.
Activities were included to suit all abilities, and the pace and changes in activity kept all pupils fully
focused. In each lesson pupils were challenged to relate different aspects of the teaching to their own
situations, and there were good cross-curricular links. In each lesson pupils' responses were carefully
considered, and teachers constantly praised and encouraged. In each lesson pupils worked in groups and
individually with enthusiasm and enjoyment. The creative writing in most pupils' books showed
progression in understanding of faith issues, a willingness to share innermost thoughts and a high degree
of spiritual maturity. Resources are very good, and much use is made of the internet for acquiring up-todate
material.
The headteacher has a keen interest in the subject and has attended LEA and Diocesan
training sessions. The RE curriculum is evaluated and monitored informally by the headteacher, and this
needs to be developed on a more formal basis. Pupils' progress is assessed in the light of the two
attainment targets set out in the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus, and a record of each pupil's progress is
maintained throughout the year as with other curriculum subjects.
. Back to top

Progress since the last denominational inspection

Each of the five key issues for action have been addressed, The staff have 'acted upon advice given by the
LEA relating to monitoring and assessing' progress in RE; the headteacher has ensured that the information
gained from courses attended by herself and the other class teacher has been handed on to other staff, as part
of the school development plan; pupils have on occasions used musical instruments in assembly; £100 per
year is set aside for resourcing RE 'and collective worship, with more money available if needed; RE and
collective worship are well resourced within the school; a copy of the trust deed is now held in school. There
has thus been very good progress. Back to top

Commendations

Veryan School is an excellent example of a Church of England school that works with enthusiasm to provide
Christian care and encouragement for all who form part of its community. It is to be commended for
· the excellent quality of relationships between staff, governors, pupils, parents and the local community;
· the excellent use of the internet to resource both RE and collective worship;
· the dedication and perseverance of the headteacher in providing spiritual support and leadership for all
members of the school community, in a context that has been personally
difficult and saddening for her; ,
· the dedication and sensitivity of each class teacher and their assistants in devising activities to enable
each
child to work to the best of their ability and to develop spiritual insight and a morality based on love
and care for others. Back to top

Issues for development

There is one major issue for development.
There is a considerable need for the worshipping community of the parish church, which is opposite
the school to join with the school in seeking to find ways of improving relationships.
Minor issues for development are:
· . to ensure that all school policies refer explicitly to the influence of Christian values and ethos;
· . to continue to develop opportunities for children to play instruments in collective worship and to lead
worship;
· to include the Ethos Statement that is in the Instrument of Government in the school
prospectus;
· to produce for general reference an outline year plan for collective worship which, whilst allowing for
flexibility, will set out the existing framework of the cycle of the Anglican year together with Saints' days,
or the lectionary, for example, and other topics. Back to top

Conclusion

The inspector would like to thank the headteacher, chair of governors, staff and pupils for the warmth of
welcome and their very positive and helpful co-operation during the inspection period Back to top