Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are exceptionally happy to be members of this kind and caring school community. They understand the school's values, and they do their utmost to live out the school's mission to 'do everything with love'. This is reflected in their impeccable behaviour during their lessons and throughout the school day.

Pupils learn from early on to take responsibility for their own actions. They said that they feel safe in school and that they trust staff to help them with any worries they may have.

Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), take every opportunity to learn new things.

For example, they relish the wide range of a...ctivities on offer to them. Whether it is attending the cross-country fixtures, completing sponsored walks for charities, or attending weekly cookery lessons after school, pupils are keen to be involved. The school ensures that their interests and talents are nurtured through a wide variety of clubs, including chess, art and music.

Pupils thrive at this school. They live up to the high expectations that the school sets for their academic achievement, and they are guided well to take responsibility for their own personal development. As a result, they achieve exceptionally well, both academically and socially.

Over time, pupils develop into articulate, confident individuals who are remarkably well prepared for the challenges of the next stage of their education.

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

The school has designed an ambitious curriculum that carefully identifies what pupils need to know and remember over time. This begins from the moment they join the Reception class.

As a result, pupils, including those with SEND, develop a rich body of knowledge that enables them to make connections between different subjects and topics. Pupils are completely absorbed in their learning. Disruption to lessons is extremely rare.

High-quality training provided by the school, or through the trust, ensures that teachers are equipped to deliver the curriculum with expertise and flair. The school provides well-considered resources that engage and motivate pupils. Teachers design carefully crafted activities to meet the needs of all pupils.

This results in pupils being able to build their knowledge systematically and securely over time. For example, pupils were able to talk about what they have learned previously and how this helps them to embark on new learning with confidence.

Teachers use assessment strategies successfully to check that pupils have firmly understood earlier concepts and ideas.

When needed, teachers provide appropriate support for pupils to ensure that any gaps or misconceptions in earlier learning are addressed effectively.

The school has established clear routines and high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils are polite and respectful to others.

Older pupils relish their prefect responsibilities and ensure that everyone adheres to the school's high standards. Staff apply the school's attendance policies and procedures consistently. The school supports families well to make sure that pupils attend school regularly.

Reading sits at the heart of the curriculum. Well-trained staff deliver the phonics programme consistently well. Children in the Reception Year quickly learn the sounds that letters represent.

Staff provide additional support for those pupils who struggle with reading. This helps these pupils to catch up quickly. The books that pupils read closely match the sounds that they have learned.

This supports them in becoming confident, fluent readers by the end of Year 2.

Pupils have access to a wide variety of well-chosen, high-quality texts within classrooms and in the school library. Visits to the local library also encourage pupils to read more widely and often.

Added to this, the school arranges visits from a wide range of published authors to develop pupils' understanding of important issues. For example, in recent months, an author visited the school to explain to pupils the negative impact of the racism that they experienced as a child. Pupils develop into competent readers who can discuss, with enthusiasm, the books that they have enjoyed.

The school has designed a well-crafted programme to enhance pupils' personal development. Pupils have a very clear understanding of fundamental British values, and they understand the importance of these in a modern society. Pupils discuss and debate a wide range of issues affecting young people today.

They are tolerant and respectful, and they celebrate the diversity that exists within modern Britain. Through their visits to places of worship, and other activities, pupils develop a strong sense of culture and world religions. Pupils' well-being and physical health are exceptionally well promoted by the school.

Pupils embrace the variety of leadership opportunities on offer to them. They take their duties seriously. Older pupils understand that they act as role models for younger children, and they are always eager to help others.

Pupils are keen to support many local and national charities. They make a highly tangible contribution to the life of the school and the wider community.

The school ensures that it considers the workload and well-being of staff in the decisions that it takes.

This helps leaders to manage change in a way that does not overwhelm staff. Consequently, staff feel well supported to develop their expertise and carry out their roles effectively.

Members of the local governing body and trustees have an accurate oversight of the school.

They fulfil their statutory duties and carry out their roles diligently. This enables those responsible for governance to hold the school to account fully for the quality of education that pupils receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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