St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Strong leadership and governance have underpinned rapid improvements in the quality of teaching and improved outcomes over time.

The headteacher leads with energy, vision and passion. Senior and middle leaders share this ambition. Governors provide high levels of both support and challenge to school leaders.

Development plans are clear about what needs to be done to improve the school further. However, leaders do not always measure the impact of what they do to ensure that it is effective. The curriculum is strong generally but weaker in how it develops pupils' skills in history and geography.

The caring ethos of the school shine...s through in pupils' superb attitudes. Consequently, pupils' personal development and welfare are first rate. Pupils' behaviour is exceptional throughout the school.

Few sanctions are necessary, bullying is rare and the school is a harmonious, happy community. Teaching, learning and assessment have improved considerably. Pupils are generally challenged well in class, although the work set for the most able is sometimes too easy.

Outcomes have improved over time and continue to do so. Pupils' skills in mathematics and English are strong. However, further improvements are needed to ensure pupils' reading skills improve at a faster rate.

In the early years, strong leadership, teaching and a vibrant, well-equipped environment have combined to ensure that outcomes for children are good and improving.

Information about this school

The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about the pupil premium strategy on its website. The proportion of pupils supported through the pupil premium is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. Most pupils are of White British heritage and so the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language or who are from minority ethnic groups is below the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics.