St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

St Benedict's is a good school which is providing a good quality of education to all its pupils. Despite a period of unsettled leadership, outcomes for pupils have remained good and attainment at the end of Year 6 has risen further so that it is securely above average. Pupils say they feel exceptionally safe in school and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent.

This is reflected in the calm and happy environment in school, the genuine consideration that pupils show for each other and their eagerness to participate in a wide range of sporting, musical and charity-raising activities. Children enter Reception with levels of attainment that are broadly as expected for their a...ge. The school provides well for these pupils and, consequently, they make good progress across the Reception year in all areas of learning.

Pupils make good progress across the school because they are taught well. By the time they leave at the end of Year 6, pupils' attainment is consistently above average. The school has identified that girls are doing slightly better than boys.

Attainment in mathematics is above average, and in the national tests in 2011 over half of the Year 6 pupils achieved the higher Level 5. Attainment was above average in English but pupils did not do as well in writing as in other areas and this is now a whole-school focus. Although good overall, there is some inconsistency in teaching and learning and, in a few lessons, the pace can be too slow and sometimes pupils find work too easy.

Pupils say they enjoy their learning and find the curriculum interesting and satisfying. The curriculum develops basic skills well and provides a wide variety of enrichment opportunities such as the recent Spanish day. The school takes good care of all its pupils and they are supported and encouraged to achieve well.

The acting headteacher since January 2011 is providing effective leadership and is working well with the acting deputy headteacher. Together, they are providing clear direction for the future. Speaking for many, one parent noted, 'There is renewed energy and enthusiasm.'

The staff have worked hard to ensure the quality of the school's provision but uncertainty over permanent strategic senior leadership has meant that self-evaluation and monitoring have been inconsistent. Members of the governing body have supported the staff during the unsettled period and tried to keep parents and carers informed. Nevertheless, a significant number of parents and carers are critical about the quality of communication between home and school.

The governing body is aware of this and is working hard to develop better links with parents and carers. In view of continuing temporary leadership, the school's capacity to improve is satisfactory.

Information about the school

The school is smaller than the average primary school.

The proportion of pupils from different minority-ethnic backgrounds is average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below average. An above-average proportion of pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school holds the Activemark award. Since January 2011 the school has had six acting headteachers. The school is currently led by an acting headteacher and an acting deputy headteacher.

The governing body is in the process of appointing a permanent headteacher for the spring term 2012. The current acting headteacher has stated that he will remain in post until this happens. Three new teachers took up their posts in September 2011.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms