St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Cuthbert's motto is 'once a part of St Cuthbert's, always a part of St Cuthbert's'. This creates a sense of belonging in a school where pupils know that staff care for them. Pupils are proud to attend the school.

They play a central role in the welcoming culture. Pupils are keen to interact with each other and visitors. They enjoy attending this caring school and feel safe.

The school welcomes hearing from pupils who have left the school some time ago. It is proud to celebrate their achievements. Pupils of all ages know that they are part of the St Cuthbert's 'family'.

Pupils meet the school's high expectations. They are quick to settle into learning. They... relish the opportunity to contribute to class discussions.

Pupils achieve well in end-of-key-stage examinations. Staff are committed to nurturing pupils' self-belief. Pupils are keen to share their ambitious aspirations for the future.

Pupils love to take part in a wide array of trips and visits. Pupils in Year 2 learn about rural life in their visit to a local farm. Children in the early years enjoy their visit to a local post office.

These visits help pupils to gain a broad understanding of the world.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school ensures that pupils quickly learn to read from the earliest age. Expert staff ensure that phonics lessons benefit all pupils.

Pupils who are not quite keeping up with reading are swiftly identified. Effective support is put in place. This means that pupils catch up with their peers.

Pupils have a love of reading. They are excited to speak about their favourite books. Pupils in Year 4 enjoy their class book 'Cloud Busting'.

They learn about how it links with the theme of bullying. The school carefully selects books that help pupils to understand the world. This helps pupils explore sensitive topics and how they could deal with them.

The school has a well-sequenced curriculum. It helps pupils gradually build their knowledge over time. For example, in mathematics, children in Reception use circle time to learn to count to 10.

Pupils in key stage 1 build on this knowledge as they learn about number bonds. The curriculum in foundation subjects has been mapped out in the same logical way. This ensures pupils deepen their knowledge over time.

In some subjects, the school is developing its approach to assessment. In these areas, the identification of what pupils know and remember is not precise. This limits teachers' understanding of what pupils need to recap or learn next.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from effective support. The school works with pupils and their families to meet their needs. The school also ensures that adults know how to support pupils with SEND.

For example, some pupils use communication boards to help them to explain their needs to adults.

Children in early years are quick to settle in school. This is helped by the school's clear transition process.

The school quickly understands children and their families. Children enjoy attending Nursery and Reception. Adult-led sessions are purposeful and children love to join in.

For example, in mathematics, pupils are keen to show how they use their fingers to represent number. In less formal activities, staff do not consistently identify or draw out the key knowledge children should be acquiring. This means that children sometimes complete activities without getting the most from this learning.

The school's unique approach to trips gives pupils lasting memories. The school offers sequenced residential visits for pupils in Year 3 to Year 6. Each visit is carefully planned.

Pupils develop a range of important skills and qualities. Over time, pupils become more independent and resilient. This is an important part of the school's coherent and exceptional approach to character development.

In addition, the school identifies '101 things' they want pupils to experience by the time they leave school. These include learning to ride a bike and connecting with a local business. These thoughtful experiences help pupils to flourish and discover new interests.

Pupils also enjoy learning about different careers. This helps them connect learning to future dreams. Pupils in Year 2 enjoy their visit from the local fire service.

Year 6 pupils excitedly recounted their workshop on palaeontology. This rich set of experiences gives pupils a sense of wonder about the wider world.

The school, governing body, trust and diocese work collaboratively in the best interests of pupils.

They are determined to provide pupils with the best possible life chances and a rich set of experiences. Staff at St Cuthberts are valued and proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the school's assessment procedures are still being embedded. This means the school is not clear on what pupils know and remember in some areas. The school should continue its work to embed effective assessment practice so that it has an accurate view about what pupils have learned.

• Some activities in early years are not linked clearly enough to the key knowledge that children should learn. This means that, on occasion, children's consolidation of their foundational knowledge is not as effective as it could be. The school should carry out further work to get the most from learning activities, particularly in less formal or continuous provision.