St Clement’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school A very friendly, caring and inclusive atmosphere ensures that pupils feel extremely safe and well cared for at St Clement's. Pupils are extremely polite and well mannered.

They behave exceptionally well. Their highly positive attitudes to learning mean they work hard and take great pride in their efforts. Pupils make an excellent contribution to the life of the school.

Early years provision has improved significantly since the previous inspection and is a strength of the school. High-quality teaching in the early years class ensures that children get off to an excellent start in their school life. The teaching of early reading skills is v...ery effective.

Throughout the school pupils develop a love of reading. Determined leadership by senior leaders ensures that an uncompromising drive to improve is present in all areas of the school. Parents are highly positive about the education provided for their children.

They overwhelmingly agree that their children are happy, are kept safe and are cared for well. Governors are well informed. They know the school's strengths and weaknesses well and challenge senior leaders effectively.

The quality of teaching has improved since the previous inspection. It is now good. Clear explanations inform pupils about what is expected of them and allow them to work purposefully.

As a result they make at least good progress from their starting points. By the end of Year 6, almost all pupils reach the standard expected for their age in reading, writing and mathematics and a good proportion do better than this. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2 does not always challenge pupils, particularly the most able, to reach their full potential in reading, writing and mathematics.

Improvements secured in marking and the use of learning targets are still at an early stage and further development is needed. Many subject leaders are new to their posts. Their role in checking on how well pupils are doing and in improving the quality of teaching and learning is not yet fully developed

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than most other primary schools.

The proportion of boys in the school is much higher than that found in most other schools. The proportion of boys and girls varies across the school but in some year groups around three quarters of the pupils are boys. Children enter early years in the Reception class.

They arrive from at least 10 pre-school settings. The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The proportion of pupils with disability and those with special educational needs is below the national average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for support through pupil premium funding is below that found in most other schools. The pupil premium is additional funding provided for those who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils who join or leave the school at other than the usual times is well below the national average.

The school has experienced significant changes to staffing since the previous inspection. Many teachers have joined the school since that time. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

Governors provide a breakfast club for pupils who attend the school. In 2014 the school gained the Primary Quality Mark for the fourth time. Governors were supported by a national leader of governance following the previous inspection.