St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Gregory's is a calm and supportive place for pupils to learn. The respect and warmth that pupils and adults show towards each other makes them a happy team. Pupils' behaviour inside and outside of the classroom is exceptional.

Pupils rarely require adult support to solve small disagreements. They have the skills needed to negotiate and reflect together. Good manners are evident at all times.

Pupils feel safe and well supported. They know that they can approach any adult for help and that they will receive it. Younger pupils value the buddy system, where staff allocate an older pupil to look after them.

These older pupils can be seen fastening coats and pla...ying games with their younger friends across the school day.

The personal development programme for pupils is excellent. This is aligned with the strong Catholic ethos of the school.

Pupils learn to be kind, within school and in the local community. Class captains have recently planned a 'kindness month' for all classes. Pupils also collect items for the local food bank and excitedly visit local care homes.

The school's ambitions for pupils' academic development are also high. Pupils experience a coherent and interesting education. They achieve well in most aspects of the curriculum.

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

The school has designed a curriculum that enables pupils to acquire important knowledge across a range of subjects. Pupils are encouraged to 'think like a scientist, geographer, or artist'. Lessons allow pupils to build their knowledge and to practise important skills.

Pupils achieve well. They complete work in their books to a high standard. However, teaching does not consistently check how well pupils are learning the intended curriculum.

For example, in lessons, some pupils are not given sufficient opportunities to articulate or demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum.

Leaders want the best for the pupils and staff of St Gregory's. They think deeply about all aspects of the school day to keep improving things for pupils.

They make sure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can fully access their lessons and wider school experiences.

There is a sharp focus on all pupils learning to read with accuracy and fluency. All staff have received quality training to ensure that they are able to help pupils to keep up with the pace of phonics lessons.

If a pupil falls behind, they receive the extra help that they need to catch up. Older pupils talk with confidence about the range of authors and books that they enjoy from the school and class libraries.

The school's recent work to improve pupils' problem-solving and reasoning knowledge in mathematics is having a positive impact.

Pupils tackle mathematics problems with greater confidence than they did previously. However, pupils' learning is hampered because their understanding of important number facts is not sufficiently secure.

Children in Reception get off to a flying start.

Despite children joining the school from over 10 different pre-school settings, they quickly settle in. The strong personal, social and emotional development curriculum means that children swiftly learn the routines and rhythm of the school day. Staff warmly and gently guide pupils in their learning and help them to become independent.

Children take good care of the classroom and resources. They work together to tidy up and help each other in their work and play.

The school ethos ensures that pupils develop a strong and kind character.

While many pupils enjoy deepening their Catholic faith, they say that all faiths are welcome in their school. One pupil summed up the views of many when she shared, 'We believe in Jesus, but not everyone has to.' Pupils respect that people may have a different type of family or religion to their own.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. This learning stays with them. They remember key messages learned in previous years related to staying safe online and about bicycle and road safety.

Pupils speak articulately about their emotional well-being. They value the opportunities to place concerns in worry boxes and to reflect in collective worship and liturgy.

The attendance of pupils is very high.

They enjoy coming to school to learn and see their friends. Staff also relish working at the school. They feel that leaders consider their workload and well-being and that it is a 'fabulous' school to be part of.

The local governing committee is an active and effective part of school leadership. Governors' skills are carefully matched with their allocated responsibilities. They work in partnership with staff to support and challenge the work of the school.

They are proud to be part of the St Gregory's community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In mathematics, some pupils do not have a secure understanding of number facts.

This can hamper their progression through the mathematics curriculum. The school should work with staff to improve pupils' understanding of important number facts. ? The school does not consistently check pupils' understanding of the taught curriculum well enough.

For example, pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to articulate or demonstrate their understanding in class. This means that gaps in pupils' understanding can go unnoticed. The school should improve how it checks that pupils have learned important knowledge.