St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This is a good and improving school. The school's central values, expressed as 'love, learn, grow' are integral to the school's ethos and evident in its day-to-day life.

The temporary co-headteachers, with the support of the highly effective governing body, have sustained improvements in the quality of teaching and learning. The school is a harmonious community where pupils and staff are mutually respectful. Pupils are very well cared for and their behaviour is extremely good.

Pupils are making good progress due to the effective teaching and their highly positive attitudes to learning. Pupils' rates of progress in reading and mathematics ...are generally consistent. There is some variation in achievement in writing across the year groups, particularly for the most able pupils.

Children in the early years enjoy learning and achieve well in the stimulating indoor and outdoor areas. The curriculum is very well planned and strongly develops learning in a wide range of subjects. Pupils benefit from attending a range of out-of-school clubs which broaden pupils' horizons and knowledge in subjects as diverse as tennis, cheerleading and archery.

Pupils acquire a secure base in phonics through the early years and key stage 1. However, some lack confidence in applying their phonics skills when attempting to read or write unfamiliar words. Pupils take advantage of the many opportunities to contribute to school life and willingly take on responsibilities.

Parents are extremely positive about all aspects of the school, including the leadership and the extent to which their children are cared for and kept safe.

Information about this school

The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is below average. The proportion of pupils who receive support through the pupil premium is well below the national average. The majority of pupils are White British.

Pupils with an Asian heritage make up the largest minority ethnic group. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations of attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Early years provision consists of two pre-school classes, where children attend from the age of two, mostly on a part-time basis, and two Reception classes where children attend full-time.

Following the departure of the previous headteacher at Easter 2017, the deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher were appointed to lead the school jointly for the summer term. They are known as co-headteachers. A new headteacher will take up the post in September 2017.

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