Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy coming to school very much.

They exude a love for learning. Leaders have ensured that pupils encounter a rich set of experiences during their time at the school. Pupils demonstrate the school motto of 'shine with love, kindness and respect'.

They do this through the positive interactions that they have with their peers and adults at the school.

All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are taught a broad and highly ambitious curriculum. Pupils are able to master the knowledge that they learn exceptionally well due to the support that is provided by all school staff.

This is exemplified by pupi...ls' strong outcomes in national assessments.

Pupils' excellent behaviour both supports their learning and the building of the whole school community. They play and work together collaboratively.

Parents and carers appreciate the family feel of the school. They like that it provides their children with an inclusive and diverse environment. Pupils' views about how their school could be even better are acted on.

For example, pupils recently helped to plan their play spaces and raised funds to make their designs a reality.

Pupils are well cared for by the staff team. They know that they have a trusted adult who they can speak to should they have any worries.

Pupils are kept safe.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The curriculum is planned to ensure that pupils experience a smooth learning journey from the early years through to Year 6. Leaders have ensured that the curriculum is broad, balanced and deep.

It meets or exceeds the aims of the national curriculum for all subjects. Careful thought has been put into the sequencing of the curriculum. This means that pupils are able to successfully build on prior knowledge.

Activities used in lessons are both exciting for pupils and closely linked to the knowledge that they are acquiring or practising. This helps them to achieve consistently well, and to develop a love of learning and thirst for knowledge.

Assessments are well used as a tool to help pupils to know and remember more.

For instance, they are used to identify any gaps in pupils' learning. These gaps are then filled by timely adaptations to teaching or by small changes to the school's long-term curriculum thinking. This means that pupils develop a deep level of understanding across the whole curriculum.

Reading is prioritised from day one of Reception year when children begin to learn phonics. This priority continues throughout pupils' time at school. Leaders are unwavering in their work to make sure that all pupils become accurate and fluent readers.

This is clear in pupils' excellent outcomes in the phonics screening check and the confidence with which they use and apply their phonics knowledge. All teaching staff receive training to ensure that they can deliver the phonics scheme with fidelity. Assessments are used well to check pupils are keeping up.

Those who may be in need of extra help receive this quickly, ensuring that they quickly catch up. This includes pupils with SEND, who receive high-quality support to become fluent readers. Books are well matched to pupils' stage of reading.

Leaders offer guidance to parents so that they are able to support their children with reading. Pupils enjoy the plentiful opportunities that they get to read for pleasure.

The school's well-established approaches to supporting pupils with SEND ensure that these pupils follow and successfully master the same curriculum as their peers.

The school works closely with parents, pupils, teachers and external agencies to ensure that appropriate plans of support are in place. Staff receive rigorous training to make sure that they can provide and adapt support for pupils' needs.

Pupils' behaviour for learning is a strength of the school.

Lessons are calm and fruitful. Classmates support each other to ensure that high levels of focus are sustained. Outside of lessons, pupils behave in kind and respectful ways.

They do their best to look after each other.

Pupils' attendance is high. The school continues to make sure that they give both pupils and parents clear and consistent messages about the importance of attending school every day.

The provision to promote the personal development of pupils is impressive. Pupils take part in a wide selection of extra-curricular activities, such as sewing, gardening club and debating. They spoke about how much they value these activities, and in particular, how they enjoy getting to experience and try out things beyond the academic curriculum.

Pupils are taught to understand the importance of equality and respecting and celebrating difference. They also learn about how to behave in a courteous and responsible manner.

Leaders are relentless in their work to ensure that pupils receive the highest quality of education.

To support this, they prioritise the professional development of all members of staff. This means that staff have the expertise to successfully support the academic and pastoral development of pupils. Staff well-being is well supported by the school.

The governing body works closely with school leaders at all levels. It rigorously holds leaders to account as well as providing any necessary support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.