Saint Bernadette Voluntary Catholic Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This school has improved significantly under its new senior leadership. The drive and enthusiasm of the team inspires teachers and pupils to be the best that they can be. A focus on the well-being of staff and the promotion of sharing best practice means that staff enjoy teaching at the school.

Their consistent delivery in the teaching of mathematics, reading and writing skills is driving standards higher. Strong teaching in key stage 1 promotes mathematics, reading and writing skills well. Younger pupils have a love of reading and problem-solving.

Most key stage 2 pupils are making much better progress than previously. Teachers make less...ons interesting and ensure that their pupils are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the next steps of their education. Provision to support pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities is effective.

These pupils make good progress and are fully included within the school. The pupil premium funding is used effectively to support disadvantaged pupils. They make good progress.

However, like their most-able peers, most-able disadvantaged pupils are not achieving as well as they should. This is particularly the case in writing. The development of pupils' spiritual, moral social and cultural understanding is strong.

Pupils are polite and thoughtful. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. Pupils' capacity to discover and learn independently is in the early stages of development.

Parents hold the school in high regard. They are appreciative of the good relationships members of staff foster and the close attention to pupils' well-being. Children get off to a very good start in the early years.

High-quality teaching ensures that children make good progress so they are prepared for Year 1. However, the outdoor area does not challenge the most able children in their early reading, writing and mathematics. The curriculum is broad and balanced, and complemented by trips and visiting speakers or workshops.

Pupils develop secure knowledge, skills and understanding across subjects. Most-able pupils are not regularly producing high-quality work in subjects other than English and mathematics. Leadership is much improved across the school.

However, new leaders to post have not yet fully grown into their roles.

Information about this school

Saint Bernadette Catholic Primary School is smaller than the average primary school. It has a Nursery for three-year-olds which runs a session in the morning.

Almost all of the children enter the school when they get to Reception age. An inspection of the religious education (section 48) at the school took place on 22 February 2017. There has been a high staff turnover.

Over half of the teaching staff have worked at the school for less than a year. The new headteacher was appointed in May 2017. The new senior leadership team has been in place for less than a year.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged and in receipt of pupil premium funding is below the national average.

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