St James’s Roman Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. Pupils' achievement is outstanding. They make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

By the time pupils leave Year 6, their attainment is significantly above average. They are very well prepared for secondary school. Children get off to a good start in the Nursery and Reception classes.

They make good progress, and develop the knowledge and skills they need for the next stage of their education. The centre for Autistic Spectrum Disorders is effectively led and managed and pupils make excellent progress with their learning. Staff are highly committed, and work hard to instil a passion for learning and achievemen...t in their pupils.

The morale in the school is very high. Teaching assistants are highly skilled and make an effective contribution to pupils' learning. Teachers mark pupils' work thoroughly, and give them guidance on how to improve.

However, they do not always ensure that pupils respond to their comments to deepen their understanding further. Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs make excellent progress because of the high quality care and support they receive. Pupils enjoy coming to school, and their attendance is high.

Their behaviour is exceptional, both inside and outside of classrooms, and they have extremely positive attitudes to learning. Pupils from all backgrounds get on extremely well with each other. Pupils feel very safe and secure in the school.

Subjects spark pupils' interest in learning and thirst for knowledge and effectively promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Senior leaders, middle managers and governors are highly successful in improving the quality of teaching and raising standards. Leaders rigorously check teachers' performance, and provide them with effective support and training to bring about improvements.

Parents are extremely positive about the school, the quality of education their children receive and the progress they make. Governors know the school extremely well, including its priorities. They provide leaders with the appropriate support and challenge to bring about improvements.

Information about this school

St James's Catholic Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school. Early years provision consists of two part-time Nursery and three full-time Reception classes. Pupils come from a wide range of ethnic groups with the largest group being from a White British background.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is above average, as is the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is well below average. This is additional government funding provided to give extra support to those disadvantaged pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and to children who are looked after by the local authority.

In 2013 and 2014, there were very few pupils supported by the pupil premium in the Year 6 cohorts. There are currently no looked after children in the school. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is well below average.

The school runs a centre for Autistic Spectrum Disorders on site. There are currently 12 pupils aged between five and 10 who attend this centre. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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