Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a happy school, where everyone receives a warm welcome. Pupils take pride in learning about the school's virtues, two of which are respect and courtesy. They demonstrate these consistently in everything that they do, and they celebrate them in weekly assemblies.

Pupils know the high expectations that staff have of their work and their behaviour. Pupils strive to meet these high standards. Pupils' positive attitudes to their learning are palpable.

Pupils know that if there are any issues between friends then the staff will help to resolve them. This contributes to developing pupils' resilience, which staff promote throughout the school. Pupils take pride in the...ir work.

This helps them to achieve well.

Pupils are proud of their inclusive school. The school ensures they all have the same opportunities as each other.

This includes the wide-ranging sporting events, extra-curricular clubs, and trips. Pupils enjoy performing in front of their peers. Pupils in class vote on the act that will perform in the school talent show, members of the school council and the house captains.

This supports pupils' understanding of democracy, helping to ensure that pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

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

The school has a broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum design puts the school's ethos at the centre.

In most subjects, the curriculum clearly identifies the knowledge that pupils should gain. It is well sequenced, ensuring that pupils build on previous knowledge. However, in a few subjects, the precise knowledge that pupils should learn is not as clear.

Teachers are less effective at helping pupils know and remember this key knowledge in these subjects.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs met across the curriculum. Subject leaders prioritise supporting teachers to adapt how they teach the curriculum appropriately for all needs.

There is a clear identification process in place so that staff can ensure support is provided for pupils who need it. Staff are well trained to meet pupils' needs. Therefore, pupils with SEND learn the curriculum well.

Reading is a priority throughout the school. Children start to learn phonics as soon as they start in Reception. Books are well matched to the sounds that pupils have learned so that they can practise these.

Staff regularly check pupils' learning and provide additional support for those who need it. Staff are well trained to deliver the phonics programme. As pupils get older, they discuss texts from different perspectives.

They enjoy reading and welcome the variety of books that are available.

Pupils attend school regularly. Attendance is high and the school supports anyone who cannot attend regularly.

From the early years, positive routines are well established. Older pupils support younger pupils with these routines and with their behaviour through the 'buddy system'. The school behaviour policy has been carefully designed using well-chosen approaches.

This ensures it meets pupils' needs. Staff, pupils and parents and carers have a clear understanding of the policy, therefore, there is a consistent approach to how it is delivered. Staff explain and model behaviours in different contexts for pupils, so pupils are clear of the expectations that staff have of them.

The school's ethos supports pupils to be responsible for their own behaviour. This all helps pupils to behave well in class and around the school. They demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning.

The school's personal development programme is carefully thought out. Pupils have access to a very wide range of leadership opportunities, for instance all Year 6 pupils have roles as prefects. Pupils are active citizens in the local community.

They visit the local care home and sing at local events. These opportunities, and many others, help to build pupils' character. They develop into confident individuals, who are respectful members of the community.

Pupils have many opportunities to learn about other cultures, how people are different and why it is important to respect others' views and beliefs. They also benefit from many carefully thought through opportunities to learn about living healthily, what makes positive, healthy relationships and how to recognise risk and stay safe.

Staff appreciate that the school takes their well-being and workload seriously.

The trust provides staff with a wide range of professional development opportunities. Parents are very supportive of the school and know that the school will support them when needed. The trust and the local governing body have clear roles and know the school well.

They provide effective challenge and support that helps the school improve.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, the knowledge that pupils should learn is not set out clearly.

This makes it difficult for staff to ensure that pupils learn all that they need to. Consequently, pupils sometimes struggle to build new knowledge. The school should ensure that staff know what is the most important knowledge that pupils should learn in each subject, and when it should be taught, so that they can help pupils build on this effectively to develop more complex understanding.

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