St Helen’s Catholic Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Helen's ethos is 'the school is there to serve the children'.

Pupils benefit from the relentless drive of all leaders to ensure every pupil succeeds. It is a very inclusive school where pupils are taught in a loving and caring atmosphere. Pupils show the values of kindness and consideration in abundance.

Pupils study a highly ambitious curriculum, which starts in the early years. They work hard without interruptions or distraction. Attitudes towards learning are overwhelmingly positive.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported exceptionally well. Pupils are successful because leaders and staff are highly tuned in to pu...pils' needs.

Pupils' behaviour is excellent at all times.

The high levels of respect seen throughout the school are learned in the early years. The school is calm and purposeful. Pupils know they are very safe while at school.

The quality of pupils' personal development is striking. The school plans carefully how clubs, trips and visits enrich the curriculum and enhance pupils' well-being and develop their character. Pupils enjoy attending clubs such as Spanish, karate and sewing.

They are proud to help serve lunch to local parishioners and entertain them. This volunteering allows pupils to become caring and responsible citizens.

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

The school has ensured that the curriculum is highly ambitious and meticulously thought through.

It sets out clearly what pupils learn from Reception to Year 2. Leaders are extremely knowledgeable and provide staff with well-considered support. This means that staff deliver the curriculum with expertise.

They use appropriate activities that support pupils to build their knowledge over time. Children in Reception develop exceptionally strong learning habits from the start. They are well prepared for Year 1.

The school identifies swiftly and accurately the needs of pupils with SEND. Leaders ensure parents are very closely involved at every step in setting these pupils precise targets. Staff access high-quality training and provide effective support to pupils with SEND.

Staff are skilled in adapting learning activities in class and for any specialist interventions. This means pupils with SEND achieve well.

The school has successfully cultivated a strong love of reading.

Reception children learn the sounds letters make from the very start. They develop their knowledge of language and vocabulary through a range of carefully selected texts. There are many opportunities for children to practise the sounds they know in their play.

Older pupils are very enthusiastic about reading. They especially enjoy choosing a library book to share with their family. They develop their reading fluency as they progress through key stage 1.

Staff receive training which enables them to teach phonics accurately. In lessons, staff check how secure pupils are in recalling letter sounds.They provide timely support for pupils to keep up.

Pupils mostly read books that closely match the sounds they know. There are a few occasions where some staff are still getting to grips with which reading books and strategies best support pupils to practise their reading. This means a few pupils have books that contain sounds they have not yet learned.

This hinders how quickly these few weaker readers catch up. Leaders are aware of this. Support is in place to address it.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They take pride in their work. They are extremely polite and kind to each other.

They love coming to school. This is reflected in the high levels of attendance.

The depth and scope of the personal development curriculum is exceptional.

Pupils flourish in the wide array of high-quality enrichment activities that are on offer. Most pupils attend a school club. Pupils talk maturely and with age-appropriate knowledge about racism, democracy, equality and fairness.

Pupils learn about a range of cultures and religions. They understand everyone is different. A pupil kindly said, 'We may look different on the outside, but inside we all have a heart and soul that deserves love and kindness.'

Through the school newspaper, pupils learn about local and national news. They also participate in international events, such as world refugee week. These broaden their understanding of the wider world.

Opportunities to take on roles, like liturgy leaders, are purposeful and contribute to school life. Areas such as the 'peace garden' offer quiet spaces for pupils to calm when needed. Pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Staff are extremely well supported. Leaders consistently consider staff workload and well-being in decisions. Governors have a very strong and accurate oversight of all aspects of leaders' work.

They reflect the high ambition that makes the school so effective.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• A few pupils who find reading tricky do not always practise their reading using books that are matched closely enough to their phonics knowledge.

These pupils do not apply known reading strategies independently. This limits the rate that these few pupils become confident and fluent readers. The school should continue to support all staff to have the expertise to select appropriate books and techniques to help these weakest readers catch up as quickly as they should.

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