Saint Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher, governors and senior leaders have created an ethos of high expectations.

The whole school community is determined to raise the aspiration for all. Leaders are doggedly determined to eradicate anything that is second best. Leaders expect the very best from all adults in school, and, as a result, teaching is highly effective in accelerating pupils' progress.

Teachers routinely establish high expectations. They accept no excuses for failure and work collaboratively to address any issues that arise. Pupils gain excellent skills, knowledge and understanding in mathematics, reading and writing.

The progress mad...e by pupils in their learning over time has been rapid, resulting in high levels of attainment. Pupils' progress and attainment in writing, although high, is slightly behind that in reading and mathematics in school. All adults are committed to supporting pupils to be the best they can be.

Adults know exactly how their contribution adds to pupils' experiences and achievements. Consequently, staff morale is very high. Pupils respond extremely well to the high expectations of staff and this is seen in their exemplary attitudes to learning in lessons.

They produce an impressive quality of work and behave impeccably around school. Leadership, provision and teaching in the early years are excellent. Starting in the provision for two-year-olds, strong teamwork coupled with thoughtful learning activities ensure that children's curiosity is harnessed effectively to develop their learning.

The comprehensive and exciting curriculum ensures that pupils access a range of visits that fires pupils' enthusiasm and engagement for learning. The school's tracking of pupils' progress in science, creative and foundation subjects is in the process of becoming embedded and refined. The governing body shares the vision and passion of the headteacher, playing a key role in the school's ongoing successes.

They know the school extremely well and keep a sharp eye on ensuring that further improvements are made.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish on their website.

The school became a convertor academy in October 2014 and joined the Nicholas Postgate Academy Trust. It is also part of the East Cleveland Co-operative Learning Trust. When its predecessor school was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to require improvement.

The school is a smaller than the average-sized primary school in which the vast majority of pupils are of White British heritage and speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for support from the pupil premium and the proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is lower than the national average. The school meets the current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics at the end of Year 6.

The school offers a part-time provision for two-year-old children. The school's part-time Nursery operates in the morning and afternoon with a number of children on site for 30 hours per week. Reception children attend on a full-time basis.