St Catherine’s CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher has strengthened senior and middle leadership throughout the school. Pupils make good progress as they move up through the school.

They are well prepared for secondary school by the time they leave. Pupils' behaviour is good because the school promotes a culture of tolerance, fairness and inclusivity. Pupils are polite, kind and respectful to each other and to adults.

Leaders have implemented, and continue to refine, a curriculum that stimulates pupils. It supports the development of academic knowledge and personal character. Leaders use additional funding well to support the achievement of disadvantaged pupils a...nd those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Although pupils make good progress from their starting points, the attainment of some pupils is not at age-related expectations. Pupils' progress in writing is not as strong as in reading and mathematics. The school has benefited from support provided by the multi-academy trust to which it belongs.

Pupils' personal development and welfare are very well supported by the school. Pupils develop self-assurance, learn to become good citizens and make a positive contribution to the local community. Children are well taught in the early years and make good progress.

They are well prepared for the beginning of key stage 1. Governors are proactive and committed. They share leaders' high expectations and hold leaders to account for the progress of pupils.

The quality of teaching is good because : teachers plan interesting and challenging activities. They teach pupils to become resourceful and resilient learners. Attendance, although improving, is below average overall and within different groups of pupils.

The early years environment and resources do not enable pupils to engage fully with their learning.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average-sized primary school. Most pupils are White British.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is slightly above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND who require support is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with an education, health or care plan is below the national average.

The school converted to become an academy and joined An Daras Multi Academy Trust in 2016. When its predecessor school was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to require improvement overall. St Catherine's Church of England Primary School is one of seven primary schools belonging to the trust.

The trust board takes responsibility for functions such as finance, premises and human resources. A local governing body is accountable for the quality of teaching and pupils' outcomes. The school has a Nursery class and takes children from the age of two.