St Benedict’s Catholic Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The good quality of education in Reception has been maintained since the previous inspection. Children make good progress because of the consistently good quality of teaching.

Pupils achieve well in English and mathematics by Year 6. Reading is a strength throughout the school. Disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make good progress in this caring, nurturing school environment.

Teaching is typically good and sometimes outstanding. Teachers usually plan carefully to meet the learning needs of all groups of pupils. Very occasionally teaching is not as effective as it could be in developing pupils' writing skills in ...Key Stage 1, or when teachers talk for too long, reducing the time for pupils to work.

Behaviour is good in lessons and exemplary around school, and pupils feel safe. The system of 'Prayer buddies' where younger pupils are paired with an older pupil is highly effective in developing responsibility and caring relationships. Above-average attendance has been maintained since the previous inspection.

Leadership and management are good. The staff are working well as a team, inspired by the enthusiastic new headteacher who is ably supported by the assistant headteacher. Regular checks have been introduced to check teachers' performance and pupils' progress.

The governors have much expertise and ask the senior leaders increasingly searching questions about the pace and level of improvement. This is enhancing the school's good capacity to go on improving. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Pupils do not achieve as well in writing as they do in reading and mathematics by the end of Year 2.

Not all staff with leadership roles are fully involved in checking on teaching to identify and eliminate weaknesses.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Pupils are admitted from a wide and diverse area and almost all are of White British heritage.

Very few pupils speak English as an additional language. There are six classes in the school. A fall in numbers has resulted in two mixed-age classes for Years 4, 5 and 6.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for additional funding through the pupil premium is below average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is average, as is the proportion supported at school action plus or through a statement of special educational needs. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

The school has had a period of much change with long-term staff absences over the past two years. A new headteacher started in September 2012. Before- and after-school day care called Super Stars is provided each day.

This is registered with Ofsted and inspected separately. Almost every pupil is educated on the school site. There is off-site, alternative provision for individual pupils in a unit based at another local school for two afternoons each week.