St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Pupils achieve well at all key stages. Boys and girls do well regardless of their age or background. Disabled pupils and those who need special help make good progress.

There has been a marked improvement in standards achieved by more able pupils, particularly in mathematics. Teaching is good. Classes are managed well and relationships are positive.

However, teachers' planning for more able writers is sometimes not sufficiently challenging. Although the pace of learning is usually good, this is not always the case. Sometimes teachers spend too long introducing lessons.

Pupils' behaviour is good and pupils feel safe. Boy...s and girls from different backgrounds play together happily. They develop good collaborative skills and work together very effectively.

Pupils enjoy learning and are keen to do well. Improvements in the quality of leadership and management by staff and the governing body have had a positive impact on teaching and pupils' achievement. All are united in their determination to provide the best for all the pupils.

Self-evaluation procedures are good and ensuring accurate data are used well to inform the well-honed development plan. Even so, apart from in English and mathematics, the role of subject leaders is underdeveloped. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although teaching is occasionally outstanding, there is not yet enough to make achievement outstanding.

Too few pupils attain the higher level in writing.

Information about this school

The school is a little smaller than the average sized primary school. It serves the three Catholic parishes in Newbury and Hungerford.

The large majority of pupils are of White British heritage and both the percentage of pupils from minority ethnic groups and the proportion who speak English as an additional language are broadly average. Very few pupils are at an early stage of learning English. The number of pupils supported at school action, school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is broadly average.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is about half the national average. These few pupils are entitled to the pupil premium (additional funding). The school meets the current floor standards set by the government, which determine the minimum expecations for attainment and progress.