St Margaret Clitherow Roman Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils make rapid progress because they are very keen to learn, and because the teaching is highly effective.

Standards have remained consistently well above average in English and mathematics. Reading standards are particularly high. The work pupils do is very well matched to their needs.

Teachers and teaching assistants keep a close check on how well pupils understand what they are doing, and quickly offer support when it is needed. The approaches used to support different groups of pupils are carefully thought out and then skilfully implemented, with frequent checks to make sure they are effective. Teachers make excellent use ...of the various outdoor areas for learning that have been set up, including an outdoor classroom.

Teachers have high expectations for pupils' work and behaviour, and pupils rise to these. Just occasionally, the teaching of phonics (the sounds that letters make) does not fully help older pupils to spell complex words. Pupils' highly positive attitudes are a very important factor in their successful learning.

They listen closely to instructions, offer their own insights, and check their work carefully. The recent introduction of a programme to help pupils think about their learning is proving highly successful and they become resilient learners, looking for ways to overcome barriers for themselves. The exciting curriculum, strong links with the community and church, and the emphasis on personal faith and beliefs make excellent contributions to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.

Behaviour is excellent. Pupils get along very well and enjoy school, accepting one another's different views or beliefs. Pupils feel very safe at school and in the wider world, because they are well trained about how they can stay safe and show positive attitudes.

Senior leaders provide excellent role models for the highest standards in teaching. They help all teachers to know how to promote the very best learning in each lesson. Governors provide excellent levels of support and challenge, and, together with senior leaders, make sure that the school meets all national requirements for children's education.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school serving a wide area of Stevenage. There is one class in each year group. The majority of pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils from a wide range of other minority ethnic backgrounds is above average. Slightly more pupils than average speak English as an additional language. Some of these pupils are at the early stages of learning English when they join the school.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. Fewer pupils than average are supported by the pupil premium, which is additional government funding to help certain groups of pupils.

In this school it applies only to pupils who are known to have been eligible for free school meals. Since the last inspection, the deputy headteacher has been promoted to headteacher and a new deputy headteacher has been appointed. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for the attainment and progress of pupils.

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