St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Costessey

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

St. Augustine's Catholic Primary School is a good school.

It is not yet outstanding because best practice in teaching and learning is at an early stage of being shared across the school. Progress in mathematics is slightly better than in English but the gap is closing rapidly. All groups of pupils make good progress across all key stages.

The curriculum enables pupils to engage well with learning but some opportunities to improve writing skills, through the exciting topics, are missed. Pupils take an active part in lessons but are not always able to lead learning and give feedback about what they have found out and how they reached conclusions. Teaching is good overall and meets the needs of a...ll groups of pupils, including disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs and pupils with English as an additional language.

Some teaching is outstanding, especially where challenge is continuous. Teachers' thorough planning and careful assessment help pupils understand how to move forward. Pupils are well behaved.

They get on well with each other and with adults. Pupils have high expectations of behaviour. They are always ready to help and support their peers in and out of lessons.

They feel safe and parents and carers agree. Effective safeguarding procedures are accompanied by regular, updated staff training. Very good spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school.

The headteacher, senior team, staff and governing body are focused on improving the school and work effectively together to that end. The roles of middle managers in leading teaching have been refined and expectations made clear to all staff. Rigorous tracking and monitoring procedures are accompanied by close analysis of assessment data and ensure accountability.

The experienced governing body provides a good level of challenge and support.

Information about the school

St Augustine's Catholic Primary School is an average size primary school serving the village of Old Costessey on the western outskirts of Norwich. The large majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds.

The school meets the government's current floor standards for attainment at the end of Key Stage 2. The proportions of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, and of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, including those with a statement of special educational needs, are below the national average. The proportion of pupils speaking English as an additional language is above the national average.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is below the national average but rising. Nursery children attend in the morning with additional wrap-around care offered in the afternoon. The school holds the Investor in People and Healthy Schools awards.