Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have worked hard to create a school which values pupils, staff and the community. Pupils enjoy the challenge of their teachers' high expectations and the interesting curriculum, such as studying the origins of the National Health Service.

Teachers are passionate about their work at the school. One parent was typical of many when they said, 'I'm so glad both of my children attend Sacred Heart. My children are very happy and content here.

All staff are friendly, helpful and care about children's education, happiness and well-being.'

Pupils are happy and say that they feel safe. Staff motivate pupils to behave well and enjoy the support of friends.
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As one pupil said, 'We work together – we work as a team.' They are attentive in lessons and are resilient. Pupils have a clear understanding of bullying, which they say is rare.

If it does happen, staff deal with this quickly.

Pupils have opportunities to be confident and independent. Pupils can take part in after-school clubs.

They can work towards 'Faith in Action' awards by being prayer leaders. Pupils shine when demonstrating their skills to others at the end of units of work, for example performing their dances to federation schools.

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

Leaders have shown determination in improving the effectiveness with which pupils learn the curriculum and the progress they make.

This has required relentless effort in improving the quality of education through building a strong team. Leaders have empowered staff to become knowledgeable and passionate subject leaders. Staff have designed ambitious units of work, which pupils enjoy.

Leaders consider the needs of their pupils. They have created a curriculum which meets the needs of all pupils. Consequently, pupils are eager and well prepared for the next stage of their education and to be positive citizens.

Teachers have high expectations of pupils. They plan lessons which build pupils' knowledge and skills. In history, pupils in Year 2 consider primary and secondary sources of evidence, such as those that record the great fire of London.

In physical education, pupils in Nursery develop and improve their skills and are beginning to understand how to keep healthy. Pupils experience a well-sequenced and coherent curriculum. Staff are clear about what they will teach and, because of this, pupils know more and remember more.

The breadth of the curriculum is clear in pupils' well-presented books.

There is a love for reading. Pupils read well.

The few who struggle to read are able, with the support of expert staff, to catch up and keep up. Younger pupils experience success in reading. This is because teachers are clear about the sounds, words and texts pupils should be able to read by the end of each term.

They start this teaching as soon as pupils arrive in school. For a minority of pupils who are not reading with fluency by key stage 2, the texts they read in reading lessons are too challenging. This hinders them from being able to develop fluency at a faster pace.

The timetable ensures that pupils have many opportunities to read with adults and to hear high-quality stories read aloud. Children talk with interest and enthusiasm about the range of books and stories that they have read.

Due to inconsistencies in the quality of education in the past, some pupils in key stage 2 have gaps in their learning.

This is particularly noticeable in mathematics. Leaders have identified this. They are supporting staff through high-quality training.

New approaches provide opportunities for pupils to revisit prior learning.

Pupils behave well in school because they understand the school's clear expectations. Behaviour and attitudes are strong because staff are fair and consistent.

Relationships between pupils and staff are very positive. When bullying does happen, staff deal with it well. Attendance compares favourably with the national average, and there are effective systems in place to promote the benefits of regular attendance.

Staff are passionate about pupils' personal development. The well-considered curriculum prepares pupils well for work and life in modern Britain. Pupils explore interesting themes such as coping with dementia and understanding prejudice and racism.

There are many opportunities for pupils to develop strong characters.

Children get off to a strong start in the early years. They develop, at pace, the personal, physical and social skills they need to succeed in the next stage of their education.

This is because leaders have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn. Staff have very positive relationships with children and families. Children know adults' expectations.

They thrive on well-established routines. For example, when they arrive in the morning they consider and record their own emotions. This work contributes to their good attitudes to learning and behaviour towards each other.

As a result, children are fully prepared for the challenges that await them in Year 1.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The head of school does not shy away from difficult conversations in her mission to safeguard pupils and their families, staff and visitors.

Staff and governors are well trained in a range of issues that pupils may face. They are aware of safeguarding duties and priorities. Records are precise.

The curriculum is rich in opportunities. Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe. Pupils speak with enthusiasm about visitors to school, such as police officers and firefighters.

There is an open culture in the school in which pupils feel safe to talk about their worries. This is a strength of the school's work.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

The quality of education has improved since the last inspection.

However, some pupils have fundamental gaps in their knowledge and understanding. This is particularly the case in mathematics. This means that new concepts are not always securely understood.

Leaders need to address these gaps and rigorously check the implementation of new approaches to ensure their effectiveness. . The teaching of early reading has improved since the last inspection.

However, texts used in reading lessons are sometimes too ambitious for some pupils. These pupils find it difficult to read them accurately and understand what they are reading. Leaders need to review the reading curriculum, particularly for lower-attaining pupils at the start of key stage two, so that they develop fluency in reading more quickly.