Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher's stoic determination to improve the school is impressive. She has led the school effectively during a period of constant staff change.

Her drive for improvement has not faltered. As a result, pupils' outcomes are now good. Leadership responsibilities are shared.

Leaders at all levels undertake wide-ranging tasks to ensure continual school improvement. Governors undertake their roles and responsibilities well. They have an acute understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses.

They work successfully alongside other leaders to bring about further improvement. Teaching is typically good. Teachers use their as...sessments to build on what pupils can and cannot do.

Pupils' progress is usually good; however, for a minority of middle-attaining girls, their progress is inconsistent in mathematics. Occasionally, activities planned do not meet the needs of pupils well enough because work is not sufficiently challenging. As a result, progress slows for the most able pupils in writing and mathematics.

Disadvantaged pupils make swift progress in reading. Their progress in writing and mathematics is less established in a few year groups. Pupils' attendance is above the national average.

However, a small number of pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language, do not attend regularly enough. Pupils behave well. They are respectful to one another and show care and support.

On the whole, pupils show resilience to learning and enjoy what is on offer. Good-quality teaching, learning and assessment have led to improved standards in phonics, which are now well above the national average. Most children get off to a good start in the early years because of the caring and nurturing support they receive.

However, on occasion, adult interactions do not help deepen children's learning and understanding. Parental confidence in the school is high.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about the pupil premium and school performance on its website.

There has been considerable staff change since the previous inspection. There are a large proportion of teachers who are relatively new to the profession at the school. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.

The proportion of pupils for whom the pupil premium provides support is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly line with the national average. There is a breakfast club which is managed by the school.

Children in Reception attend full time. The school works in partnership with the Tower Learning Community and Dunstan Partnership of Catholic schools. Together they undertake joint training and moderation of pupils' work.