Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary School continues to be an outstanding school.

What is it like to attend this school?

This school provides an exceptional education for its pupils. Staff have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They expertly deliver interesting and demanding lessons, which enables pupils to understand knowledge deeply.

By the time pupils leave Year 6, they are exceptionally well prepared for their move to secondary school.

Pupils thrive in this happy, nurturing school where the golden rules 'guide children day and night'. Pupils' behaviour is commendable.

Kindness is evide...nt, starting from early years, where children play and share resources well. Bullying is very rare and dealt with immediately if it does occur. This is a school where pupils feel safe and are kept safe.

Pupils know that adults will help them if they have a worry or concern. Children in early years, along with any new pupils across the school, receive a warm welcome. They settle into school life quickly.

Relationships between adults and pupils are exceedingly strong.

The exceptional education that the school provides is supported by a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Pupils spoke enthusiastically about the vast array of high-quality activities on offer.

Many take part in after-school clubs that include boxing, chess, Italian and Latin ballroom dancing, French and art. Pupils visit nearby woods frequently and experience outdoor learning. An annual 'Aspirations Week' helps pupils to think about their next steps and potential careers.

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

The school has a carefully planned and well-designed curriculum. This ambitious curriculum matches and often exceeds what is expected nationally. Leaders have identified the key knowledge and skills that they expect pupils to learn in all subjects.

Lessons focus effectively on pupils gaining a rich knowledge and vocabulary that help them make sense of their learning. Pupils' outcomes in the 2023 reading, writing and mathematics national assessments were well above the national average.

Starting in early years, the curriculum is well sequenced so that pupils build their knowledge over time.

The school ensures that pupils with SEND are identified accurately and swiftly. Staff skilfully adapt resources so that these pupils can learn the same curriculum as their classmates. The school engages well with outside agencies to ensure that pupils with SEND receive expert support when it is needed.

The reading curriculum is highly effective, and as a result, pupils become confident readers quickly. Staff have been well trained to implement the school's phonics programme. This begins as children start school in early years.

The school places communication and language at the centre of children's learning in the early years. Children are immersed in rhyme, songs and stories. Older pupils act as reading champions.

They take their role in promoting a love of books and poems with their peers seriously. Pupils read widely and often. They enjoy visiting book shops and listening to stories.

This helps pupils to develop a real love of reading.

Behaviour is excellent. Pupils are motivated to learn.

Disruption to learning in lessons is exceedingly rare. Staff check often how securely pupils can remember what they have learned. They provide excellent support when it is needed, while helping pupils with SEND to develop increasing resilience and independence.

Staff and pupils treat each other with respect. Pupils who struggle to regulate their emotions or display challenging behaviours receive exceptional levels of care and support.

The school works with rigour to ensure that pupils are in school each day.

Because of this, attendance rates are improving.

The school is committed to ensuring that pupils receive a rich all-round experience, both within and beyond the academic curriculum. Staff skilfully support pupils to learn about and celebrate diversity.

The school has also prioritised broadening pupils' horizons through educational outings, including visits to museums, farms and a residential trip. Pupils are provided with plentiful opportunities to learn about different careers and professions. They relish opportunities to serve as digital leaders, eco warriors or team captains.

The governing body has a clear vision for the school. It provides effective support and challenge. Staff feel extremely well supported by governors and leaders.

They are proud to work at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

When we have judged a school to be outstanding, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains outstanding.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding in November 2017.

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