St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement Leaders and governors have not been fully effective in ensuring that the quality of teaching improves so it is consistently good.

The monitoring and evaluation of the school's work is not sharp enough for leaders and governors to make accurate judgements about how well pupils are achieving and the impact of school initiatives. Not all teachers have high enough expectations of what pupils can achieve. The progress of disadvantaged pupils is variable.

Too few of the most able pupils achieve higher standards. Expectations of pupils' spelling, handwriting and the presentation of their work are inconsistent across the scho...ol. Some younger pupils learn incorrect letter formation.

There are too few opportunities for pupils to practise their writing skills in a range of subjects across the curriculum. Despite pupils saying that they enjoy reading, many older pupils cannot talk in any depth about their preferred author, or explain differences in genres. Their choice of books is not sufficiently well monitored by teachers.

The school has the following strengths The school is effective in supporting the welfare of its pupils and their families. There are good procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils. Pupils feel safe in school.

Children get off to a good start in the Reception class. They make good progress and this prepares them well for key stage 1. The provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is good and this ensures that these pupils make good progress.

Pupils are keen to achieve and have good attitudes to their work. They behave well in lessons and conduct themselves well around school and in the playground. The school places a great emphasis on tolerance and respect for each other and towards those from different backgrounds.

Pupils have a good understanding of different cultures and religions. This effectively develops their spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.

Information about this school

St Joseph's Catholic Primary is an average-sized primary school.

There has been significant staff turnover since the school's previous inspection. Just over half of the pupils are White British and speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups, and who speak English as an additional language, is above average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities, and who have statements of special educational needs or education, health and care plans, is above average. The school receives support from a national leader of education, and the Learning Unlimited Teaching School Alliance, Sheffield. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.