St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher's strong and determined leadership has brought about marked improvement since the last inspection. She is ably supported by the deputy headteacher, other leaders and the governing body. Pupils' attainment in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6 rose in 2015.

Standards, particularly in writing, are improving further for pupils currently in the school. Gaps between the achievements of most pupils eligible for the pupil premium and others are closing. This is because their needs are well known and teachers and other adults respond to them quickly and effectively.

Teaching has improved significantly and is typically go...od, with some that is even better. Outstanding early years provision gives children the best possible start to their school life and they make rapid progress. Parents are full of praise for the school.

They typically comment that the school and staff are very welcoming and caring, with one saying that their child 'misses school when on holiday'. The school promotes pupils' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development very well. This makes a strong contribution to their well-developed understanding of British values.

Pupils are very happy in school, saying that they feel safe and cared for. Their attitudes to learning in lessons are consistently outstanding. They persevere, try their best and seek to constantly meet the high standards expected of them.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : The quality, breadth and assessment of the curriculum outside of English, mathematics and religious education are not as well developed and, consequently, pupils do not achieve as well in these subjects. The attendance of a small group of younger pupils is not as good as the above-average attendance of their peers. Ofsted_Logo_Black_RGB

Information about this school

This school is a larger than average-sized primary school.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language, as well as the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds, is well above average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs or disability is above average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by pupil premium funding is below the national average.

The pupil premium is additional government funding to support those pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after by the local authority. The school meets the current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. The school has a before- and after-school club.

Both sessions were visited as part of this inspection. Since the previous inspection there have been a number of changes to staff and the governing body. Four teachers began teaching their class at the start of this term.

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