St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The pupils at St Joseph's benefit from attending a school where kindness and tolerance are part of daily life. Pupils enjoy mass, go to church and take part in a daily prayer. This helps them to develop their spiritual understanding, and to feel part of the school community.

Pupils receive a high-quality education. They are very positive about the subjects that they study. Pupils are engaged and excited about their lessons.

For example, pupils enjoy dancing and discussing different types of music. They value the challenge of the work they are given by their teachers. Pupils also enjoy the opportunities they have to take part in practical lessons.

During lesso...ns, pupils work in a calm and productive atmosphere. They are able to focus well because there is very little disruption. A minority of pupils require extra support to manage their behaviour.

Staff are skilled at supporting pupils to return to learning if they have become distracted.

In Reception, children are excited about their learning. They love to sing and play.

Children get along very well with each other and with the adults who support and care for them. They enjoy lots of different activities such as painting, writing and playing on outside equipment.

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

Leaders' rapid work on developing an ambitious curriculum has been effective.

They have taken appropriate action to address the causes of lower academic outcomes that some pupils achieved in the past. The school makes sure that pupils are taught important skills and knowledge in a logical order. This helps pupils to develop a good level of understanding so that they are well prepared for their next stage of learning.

From Reception, teachers have a good understanding of the curriculum. They are generally skilled at giving pupils work that builds on their previous learning. In most cases, teachers check what pupils already know before presenting new information.

The activities that they give to pupils are well matched to their knowledge and understanding. In many subjects, effective systems are in place to check what pupils have learned. Leaders and teachers use this information to give pupils extra support if there are any gaps in their understanding, or to further develop their knowledge and skills.

Pupils are proud of what they can do.

In a minority of foundation subjects, teachers are not always confident about what pupils need to know or understand. They do not check carefully if pupils have learned what has been taught.

Where this happens, teachers do not take account of pupils' different starting points to adapt their teaching. Therefore, some pupils do not receive the support they need to further deepen their knowledge and understanding.This is not the case for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The school has ensured that pupils with SEND are prioritised. Pupils who may need extra help are accurately identified. There are clear plans in place with appropriate targets for pupils to achieve, based on their individual needs.

The school regularly checks how well these pupils are learning. The high levels of support ensure that pupils with SEND achieve well, relative to their starting points.

Phonics is a strength in the school.

Children start learning the skills they need to become confident readers in Reception. Pupils read books which are well matched to their level of understanding. While many pupils are on track to become fluent readers, the school recognises that some pupils need extra help.

Where this is the case, they are quickly identified. Adults then provide extra support to help pupils to keep up. This means that pupils progress well and enjoy reading.

The school's culture is respectful. Pupils are orderly. Adults model the expectations that they expect from pupils.

From Reception, routines are well established and followed. Pupils have a clear understanding of the behaviour and reward system. The school ensures that pupils enjoy attending school.

Consequently, attendance is high.

From Reception, the school provides pupils with opportunities to develop their interests. Some older pupils take on responsibilities such as play leaders.

Others are members of the school council. These roles help pupils develop their confidence and compassion towards others. Pupils also enjoy the clubs they take part in.

This is particularly the case for clubs that develop their sporting interest, or provide them with opportunities to perform or be creative.

Leaders, including those in the trust, the diocese and within the school, have worked at pace to rectify weaknesses identified in the last inspection report. They have ensured that pupils' education, well-being and safety are prioritised.

Staff and parents are positive about the school. They recognise the improvements that have been made and value the impact that the school has on their children's education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school has not ensured that the high quality of assessment seen in some subjects is consistent across all foundation subjects. Teachers are not always clear what pupils need to know or be able to do. Therefore, they do not check carefully enough what pupils have learned.

This means gaps in pupils' knowledge or understanding are not picked up quickly. The school should ensure that all teachers are clear about what pupils should know and understand in each subject. They should then ensure any gaps in pupils' learning are quickly identified and addressed so all pupils achieve highly.

• In some lessons, teachers do not adapt their teaching based on pupils' prior knowledge or understanding. This can lead to work being given to pupils that is not as ambitious as it should be. The school should ensure that teachers receive appropriate training so they consistently provide pupils with activities that enable them to achieve as highly as they should.