St Ambrose Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher and her senior leaders have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses and are determined to continue to improve the quality of education at the school.

The curriculum is broad and balanced and contributes successfully to the good progress that pupils make. The quality of teaching across the school is good. Teachers use questioning effectively to enable most pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in a range of subjects.

Pupils feel safe in school and know how to keep themselves safe. Pupils behave well around school and in classrooms. Teachers and leaders deal swiftly with the few i...ncidents of misbehaviour.

Attendance rates remain close to the national average. Leaders work effectively with other agencies to reduce the proportion of persistent absenteeism. Governors are supportive of the school, know its strengths and weaknesses and contribute to its continuous improvement.

Leaders have used professional development and training opportunities within the school and in partnership with other local schools to improve the quality of teaching. Children in the early years make good progress. Most of them are ready for Year 1 by the time they finish their Reception Year.

Across a range of subjects, almost all pupils make good progress from their different starting points. Disadvantaged pupils make good progress due to well-planned interventions. Although their attainment is improving over time, the difference from that of others nationally is still too great.

Teachers occasionally do not give work that challenges the most able pupils. Proportions of pupils attaining the higher standards are not high enough. Success criteria in the school development plan and in teachers' performance targets are not sharp or measurable enough to allow the school to hold staff to account for pupils' achievements.

Subject leadership is in the early stages of development as new leaders begin to implement their plans for their subjects. However, leaders do not yet know how well pupils are achieving in subjects other than English and mathematics. The local authority provided effective support to leaders and governors, enabling leaders to improve progress and attainment in 2017.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium grant is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups or who speak English as an additional language is above average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above average, as is the proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan. The school meets the current government floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for attainment and progress by the end of Year 6. The school works in partnership with a number of other, local primary schools.