Our Lady’s RC Primary School Manchester

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Determined, resilient and ambitious leadership, ably supported by a united staff, has turned the school around.

Strengths have been maintained and significant weaknesses have been eradicated. Despite much needed change, no one has let go of the fundamental values which make Our Lady's a very special place in the community. Strong teamwork, open communication and clear systems for improving and checking on teaching means everybody knows their role and is willing to share good practice.

This has led to a purposeful learning community where everyone is striving for the best. Close support and informed challenge from members of the Interim E...xecutive Board (IEB) has been pivotal in improving teaching and raising pupils' achievement. Pupils are fiercely proud of their school.

They behave well, feel safe and enjoy their learning. Teachers harness pupils' excitement for learning through fun, purposeful and relevant topics. Lessons are planned well to help different groups of pupils build on what they already know and can do.

Almost all pupils make better than expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics so standards match the national average. All groups of pupils achieve well. Pupils' achievement in reading excels across the school.

They are confident speakers and attentive listeners who willingly share their ideas and work. The strong start children make in the early years sets them up well for future success in Year 1 and as they move throughout the school. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not all pupils make such strong gains in subjects other than English and mathematics because : teachers do not always plan for subject-specific skills and knowledge.

Some of the leaders for subjects other than English and mathematics do not have enough influence on teaching and learning in their area of responsibility. Pupils' achievement in writing sometimes slows because they do not have the stamina to write at length; some are hampered by weak handwriting and presentation skills. Teachers' marking does not always pick up common punctuation and spelling errors.

In Reception, learning opportunities are sometimes missed because the role of additional adults is not planned for carefully enough.

Information about this school

This is an average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is almost three times higher than the national average.

The largest groups in the school are from Black Caribbean, Black African and White British heritage. One third of the school's population speaks English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for pupil premium funding is higher than the national average.

Pupil premium is additional funding provided by the government for pupils who are known to be eligible for free schools meals or who are looked after by the local authority. An average proportion of pupils are disabled or have special educational needs. The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school throughout the school year is similar to other schools.

The school has full-time Nursery provision for 30 children. The school meets the government's floor standards, which are the minimum standards and rate of progress expected of primary pupils. At the previous inspection, in February 2014, the school was judged to be inadequate.

It has been subject to monitoring from Her Majesty's Inspector. This was the fourth monitoring inspection. Following the previous inspection, the substantive headteacher retired.

The school entered into a partnership with Holy Name Catholic Primary School. The substantive headteacher of the partner school is the executive headteacher of Our Lady's. The governing body has been replaced with an Interim Executive Board (IEB).

There have been considerable changes in staff. Three teachers left the school, which resulted in a number of temporary appointments. Staffing is now stable; three new teachers have taken up post and a member of staff has returned to school following a period of extended leave.