Rosary Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. It has a deeply caring and nurturing ethos and attainment is improving across the school, most noticeably in Key Stage 1. Members of staff work well together to ensure that pupils flourish both academically and socially.

The school is not yet outstanding because the quality of teaching does not yet enable all pupils to make the most rapid progress in all classes, and systems for monitoring and improving performance are not always sufficiently focused on raising pupil achievement. Pupils' achievement is good. Children make good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage, especially in developing early reading skills.

They build well on this good start in the rest of the... school, quickly improving their literacy and numeracy skills so that attainment rises to at least average levels by the end of Year 6. Teachers inspire and motivate pupils to do their best and they ensure that the differing needs are met well in most lessons. Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs are given good support both in and out of lessons and newly arrived pupils who speak languages other than English are very well catered for.

Pupils' positive attitudes and good behaviour contribute greatly to their good learning in lessons. They work hard, are polite and courteous, and thoroughly enjoy school. They are kept safe, developing a good awareness of the dangers they may face.

Senior leaders manage performance and lead teaching well. They set high expectations for staff and improvements are based on accurate self-evaluation. They are now focused on improving the quality of teaching further throughout the school, especially for new or temporary staff.

Nevertheless, the governing body does not yet take a fully active role in holding the school to account.

Information about the school

Many of the school's pupils come to this larger than average school from the local area, although being a denominational Roman Catholic school it also draws from a wider geographical area. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs who are supported at school action plus or have statements of special educational need is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above the national average as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in two Nursery classes and two Reception classes. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.