Mount Carmel RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils are very happy, are proud of their school, and say they 'wouldn't change anything'.

Behaviour is excellent. Pupils are always polite, respectful and considerate and say that they feel very safe at school, one reason why their attendance is above average. A particular strength is pupils' excellent spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, fostered through very strong parish links.

Pupils are very well prepared to become useful members of society. All parents who responded to the online questionnaire said that their children are kept safe and the school makes sure they are well behaved. Achievement is outstanding an...d attainment is above average.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and those supported by the pupil premium, make good or better progress throughout the school. Outstanding teaching provides imaginatively planned activities which capture pupils' interests so that they work hard and enjoy learning. The rich curriculum, which includes many educational trips and visits, provides pupils with high quality learning activities and memorable experiences.

Reading is taught well, giving pupils valuable skills to use in all subjects. Rigorous checks on the quality of teaching and targeted professional development support leaders' aim of making the school even more successful. However, as yet, subject leaders are not fully involved in this work.

The inspirational headteacher is ably supported by leaders and managers at all levels. More teaching is outstanding, attainment is rising and the school has very strong capacity for further improvement.

Information about this school

The school is much larger than most primary schools and the number of pupils has grown considerably since the previous inspection.

The infant and junior pupils are sited in two buildings that are some distance apart. The proportion of pupils from different ethnic groups has also increased since the previous inspection. About 67% are of White British heritage, others are of African or mixed heritage and a small number speak English as their second language.

The proportion of pupils supported through school action is below average. The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also below the national average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (additional government funding for pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals, those children that are looked after, and the children of service families) is 38%, which is above the national average.

There have been a number of staffing changes since the previous inspection. The school meets the governments' current floor standards, the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school offers a breakfast club each day.