Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

This school expects the very highest standards of behaviour and achievement. Pupils, who are exceptionally well-prepared in every way for their future lives, consistently meet these expectations. The headteacher and senior leaders have equally high expectations of their staff.

They have created a school in which the outstanding quality of teaching over time leads to outstanding results for pupils. Teachers know what each pupil is capable of achieving in every subject and pupils say their teachers are always there to help them. All groups of pupils make outstanding progress across a wide range of subjects.

They start scho...ol at levels that are below average for their age. They go on to leave the school with standards that are consistently much higher than the national average. The behaviour of pupils is outstanding.

They learn to take significant responsibility for themselves and for others. In lessons, they work exceptionally well, whether they are on their own, in pairs or in groups. Children make rapid progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage and quickly develop their speaking, writing and counting skills.

They achieve standards at the end of Reception that are above those found nationally. These children are provided with an outstanding start to their education and their personal and social development. The school's leaders readily share their expertise and experience with other schools.

They seek to learn from the best educational practice nationally and internationally. Pupils feel extremely safe, happy and confident in this very caring school. They learn how to manage their own safety exceptionally well, both in their daily lives and when using the internet.

A strong spiritual ethos and a clear set of values inform every aspect of the school's work. Pupils show great respect for all faiths and a good understanding of other cultures. A highly individualised programme of physical education and fitness for every pupil in the school makes a strong contribution to their well being.

Information about this school

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School is smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above the national average and more than a half of pupils are White British. A very small minority have English as an additional language.

The percentage of disadvantaged pupils who are supported through the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for pupils in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals) is above average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs on the school roll is about one twentieth. This is lower than found in most schools.

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics. The school runs both before and after school clubs. The headteacher works closely with a local school, Bishop Challoner Catholic College.