St Agnes RC Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Agnes is an exceptional school where pupils are nurtured and supported to achieve their very best in all areas of school life. Leaders have high expectations and aspirations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have created an ambitious and interesting curriculum.

Pupils' attitudes towards their education are extremely positive. They are enthusiastic and curious participants in lessons. Pupils are taught to be active and responsible citizens.

They learn how to keep themselves safe. Behaviour is impeccable. Pupils are polite and helpful and they treat others with respect.

They can talk about the dif...ferent ways they are taught to appreciate and respect people's differences.

Bullying is rare, and pupils know that there will always be a trusted adult they can talk to about their worries or concerns. This helps to ensure that pupils feel safe and are kept safe in school.

The development of character is exemplary. Pupils, including those with SEND, readily engage in the wide range of additional opportunities and visits that are provided to develop their talents and interests. For example, pupils enjoy attending multi-sports and chess clubs, as well as visits to Colchester Castle and the Ragged School Museum.

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

Pupils learn an ambitious curriculum that matches the breadth of what is expected nationally. In each subject, leaders have identified what they expect pupils to learn and when. This ensures that pupils develop a depth of understanding in each subject and use what they know to tackle more complex ideas.

For example, in mathematics, children in early years practise counting forward and back in different steps. This helps them when they begin to learn their multiplication tables. Older pupils use this knowledge confidently when calculating the ratio of different fruits used in a kebab or ingredients in a flapjack.

The rich curriculum begins in early years, where there is a strong focus on developing communication and language. Children learn to listen attentively and respond appropriately to questions and instructions. An excellent range of activities are chosen to support the different areas of learning.

For example, children practise planting seeds in the forest school and measuring ingredients in the mud kitchen. Adults across the setting help children to use an increasing range of vocabulary with accuracy and precision.

Reading is a high priority across the school.

Pupils are very well supported to read fluently. This enables them to access the full breadth of the curriculum and fosters a genuine love of reading. Staff have been well trained to implement the agreed phonics programme with precision.

Pupils' reading is carefully tracked. If any pupils fall behind, they receive additional support to catch up.

Pupils with SEND are swiftly identified.

Information, including advice and guidance from external agencies, is communicated effectively with teachers. Staff use this information effectively to make appropriate adaptations to tasks and activities. This helps to ensure that pupils with SEND access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. This is because staff have high expectations and implement the school's systems consistently. Leaders have provided training to help staff to identify the feelings and motivation behind any instances of weaker behaviour.

Pupils embody the school's values of belief, contribution and perseverance. They play a strong role in creating a positive and inclusive school environment. For example, pupils know that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Leaders prioritise ensuring that pupils attend school regularly and on time. Systems such as first-day calls home and meetings with parents and carers have raised the profile of strong attendance across the school.

Pupils' personal development is exceptional.

They are given lots of opportunities to develop their character and explore their talents and interests. The curriculum has been designed to help pupils learn about the law, the importance of democracy and that actions have consequences. Pupils readily and confidently debate complex issues.

They are keen make a positive contribution to their school and the wider community. For example, they volunteer in the local area and raise money for charities. Pupils enjoy positions of responsibility, including as librarians, school councillors and playtime monitors.

Staff are rightly proud to work at the school. They value the support they receive from leaders to develop professionally and to manage their workload and welfare. Governors fulfil their statutory responsibilities well.

For example, they hold leaders to account for the quality of education at the school. Parents are very positive about the school and the education it provides.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.