St Cross Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Effective leadership by the headteacher has ensured that the school has improved since the last inspection.

She is well supported by the two assistant headteachers. Governance is a strength of the school and the governing body is well led. Governors provide good support and challenge to leaders because : they have an accurate strategic overview of the school's strengths and areas for development.

A strong safeguarding culture exists in the school. Leaders and governors have ensured that there are effective systems in place to safeguard pupils. Teaching at the school is good because : teachers have high expectations, plan interesting lesso...ns and use questioning effectively to deepen pupils' learning.

Pupils feel safe at school and have adults that they feel able to talk to if something is worrying them. Parents and carers praised the school for promoting pupils' social and emotional development. Behaviour is good because pupils show consideration and courtesy for each other, as well as staff.

They behave well in lessons and during less-structured times of the day, such as playtime. Parents and staff overwhelmingly agree that pupils' behaviour is good. Outcomes in 2018 improved.

Pupils' attainment and progress in Year 6 for reading, writing and mathematics were all in line with the national average or better. Early years teaching is good because the curriculum is motivating for the children and is appropriately balanced. Children in early years cooperate with each other and with adults, showing respect and kindness at all times.

Progress in reading at the end of key stage 2 improved in 2018 because of better teaching. It will take time for improvements in the quality of education to fill gaps in knowledge for the most able readers so that they make better progress by the end of Year 6. The school is successfully working on improving challenge for the most able pupils.

Occasionally, some children can become disengaged in class because the tasks that they are asked to complete are not well matched to their abilities. The attendance of a small number of pupils who are disadvantaged or with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is lower than the national average.

Information about this school

St Cross is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is below the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is lower than the national average.

The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. This is a Roman Catholic voluntary aided school. The most recent Section 48 inspection of the religious aspects of the school was conducted in April 2018.