St Begh’s Catholic Junior School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher's focused and effective leadership has led to significant improvements across the school. Ably supported by the deputy headteacher, she has galvanised staff and reinvigorated their enthusiasm for teaching. Middle leaders share the same passion for teaching and learning as senior leaders.

They lead their areas of responsibility effectively to ensure that improving standards are maintained. Teachers' strong subject knowledge is underpinned by opportunities to improve their practice and share expertise with each other and with colleagues from other schools. Teachers use assessment information to plan well-constructed lessons that meet... pupils' needs effectively, particularly for the most able.

Leaders have developed a curriculum that promotes pupils' curiosity in the world around them. The majority of older pupils develop skills and knowledge that prepare them well for the next stage of their education. Some teachers do not always have high enough expectations about what younger pupils can achieve in subjects other than English and mathematics.

This is particularly evident for middle-attaining pupils in Years 3 and 4. Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities are supported well. They make good progress from their starting points.

Parents and carers speak highly of the support that their children receive from staff. Pupils' behaviour is good. Strong relationships fostered by staff, combined with pupils' positive attitudes to learning, contribute effectively to the good progress that pupils make.

Pupils flourish in an environment where they feel safe, valued and cared for. Governors have a good understanding of the school's strengths and areas for further improvement. Their knowledge and skills enable them to contribute effectively to the leadership of the school.

Pupils' progress at the end of Year 6 in reading, mathematics and science is good, including for disadvantaged pupils. However, some older pupils have gaps in their spelling knowledge which hamper the progress that they make in their writing. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is the golden thread that weaves throughout all aspects of school life.

Pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain because : of the range of experiences that teachers provide. This broadens pupils' horizons to beyond their local community.

Information about this school

St Begh's Catholic Junior School is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is above average. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. Very few pupils speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The proportion of pupils supported by an EHC plan is above the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards that set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.