Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school, strongly supported by parents and carers.

One accurately described it as, 'a village school in the middle of west London'. The outstanding development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that they respect one another's values and are polite and helpful to visitors. Pupils do very well in the national tests at the end of Year 6 and make good progress overall, though a few of the small number of pupils with special educational needs sometimes make satisfactory rather than good progress.

This is because the school does not always evaluate the effectiveness of its teaching of these pupils to ensure learning is fully adapted to their needs. Teac...hing is generally good. Effective use of questioning is a particular strength.

In a few cases, however, teachers do too much for the pupils, and the pace of learning slows. This is not always picked up by leaders and managers quickly enough in their programme of classroom visits. Behaviour is generally good in lessons and around the school, but pupils sometimes become a little restless when they are insufficiently engaged.

Pupils feel safe in school and know how to keep themselves safe. Their attendance and punctuality are considerably above average. Leaders and managers ensure that pupils are kept safe.

Their plans to improve the school demonstrate their understanding of its strengths and areas for development, and are focused on the right priorities. The school has successfully met the recommendations of the previous inspection, indicating its good capacity to improve. The governing body is actively involved in the life of the school and is ready to hold it to account.

Leaders and managers ensure that pupils have a broad and balanced curriculum, and that they enjoy a rich programme of trips and visits.

Information about the school

This one-form entry school, which takes pupils from Reception to Year 6, is smaller than the average sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is much lower than usual.

Almost three quarters of pupils are of White British heritage and, currently, very few of those who come from minority ethnic backgrounds speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs is lower than usual, and there are currently no pupils with disabilities. The school exceeds the current floor standard set by the government, which determines the minimum expectations for attainment and progress.

The school runs a breakfast club. The on-site Kindergarten, which is independently managed, prepares children for entry to the school and to other nearby primary schools, and is subject to separate inspection. The school has gained a number of awards, including International Schools award.

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