St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

The school provides an outstanding quality of education for its pupils. The school's motto 'I am loved' is evident where pupils' uniqueness is valued. A strong faith-based ethos contributes to outstanding spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils.'

Children are taught to work hard, be respectful of others and help those who are less fortunate than themselves. What else could a parent ask for?' said one parent, speaking for many. Pupils' attainment by the end of Year 6 is high and has been so for the past three years.

Pupils are highly confident speakers, voracious readers, competent writers and very able mathematicians. The cornerstone of the school's success is the prof...essionalism of all staff who successfully give the pupils a first class educational experience through consistent, outstanding teaching. As a result, all groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve exceptionally well in relation to their prior attainment.

Excellent achievement starts in the Early Years Foundation Stage where children acquire basic skills at a fast rate through highly creative learning experiences. All children are very well prepared for work in Years 1 and 2, especially in their sounding out of letters, early writing and number acquisition. Throughout the school, memorable learning experiences, such as whole school topics around favourite stories, are expertly crafted by staff who have as much fun planning as pupils have learning.

The outstanding curriculum is matched to every pupil's individual needs and the excellent use of assessment for building on previously acquired skills contributes to pupils' outstanding progress. Pupils are highly motivated, keen to learn and behave impeccably. No pupil is left behind; the teachers track the pupils' progress very carefully and put in support if needed.

The school has worked very hard to ensure that standards of writing in Year 2 match the high standards of reading. While good progress is being made, some pupils in Years 1 and 2 struggle to use descriptive vocabulary because of the occasional lack of visual prompts. Pupils' achievement in science is very impressive as scientific skills of hypothesis, synthesis and evaluation are systematically taught through real life contexts, such as exploring how parents can make financial savings using less electricity.

Pupils have expert knowledge of healthy eating, encouraging parents to buy healthy options. They work exceptionally well in groups during lessons. They are very active in the parish, especially in preparing liturgy readings, but their knowledge of other faiths, cultures and traditions is less well developed.

Community cohesion at a local level is outstanding but knowledge of the multi-cultural nature of Britain and the wider global community is not as strong. Pupils are very well cared for, safeguarding procedures are excellent and pupils say that they feel very safe and exceptionally well cared for in school. 'Our teachers are very caring and they really help us learn.

That is why we love coming to school.' said one member of the school council. Attendance is high and, coupled with the excellent achievement and outstanding social skills, pupils are very well prepared for their next steps in education.

The success of the school is down to the outstanding leadership and management at all levels. Self-evaluation is accurate and the headteacher sets high expectations. As a result of a review undertaken by the headteachers of the federation, teaching has improved even more.

Governance is outstanding and the benefits of the federation are already paying dividends as best practice is shared with other schools and cost effectiveness is apparent in savings on services. Given the pupils' outstanding outcomes and excellent provision, the school's capacity to improve is exceptionally good.

Information about the school

This school is smaller than average and many children travel from nearby towns and villages to attend.

Almost all pupils are White British and the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is below that seen nationally. The proportion of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is broadly average and the proportion with a statement of special educational needs is well below average. The school has a number of awards including the Healthy Schools Award and the Eco Award.

The school operates a well attended breakfast club which is managed by the governing body. In January 2011 the school became part of a federation with five primary and one secondary catholic school (Painsley Catholic Collegiate Federation). One governing body presides over the schools but each school has retained a governing body committee made up of members of the above.