St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Leadership at all levels is good. The headteacher's ambition of success for all and pride in achievement are shared by staff, governors and pupils and are recognised by parents.

Good teaching ensures that pupils make good progress in English and mathematics. Pupils of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well. From the early years, all pupils work together well.

Language and communication skills are well developed. Achievement is good. From starting points that are typical for their age.

pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics reaches or exceeds national averages by the end of Key Stage 2. The school encourages p...arents to play a key role in pupils' education and this plays a significant part in their success, especially in raising standards of reading. The school has a strong spiritual life which is celebrated daily and is reflected in pupils' caring attitudes.

As well as the school having strong links with the Catholic church, other faiths are respected. From the time they enter the school, pupils' social skills are fostered well and pupils develop good attitudes based on consideration and respect. A range of extra-curricular activities enhances their cultural experiences.

Standards of behaviour are good. Pupils take responsibility for their behaviour and behave safely and sensibly in the classroom and outside. The early years provision is good.

It is well managed and effective, providing children with a good start. They settle quickly and develop skills which equip them well for their future education. Safety is a high priority and pupils learn to keep themselves safe from an early age.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Although teaching is consistently good, there is little which is outstanding. Marking is thorough, but guidance on improving pupils' work is not precise enough. Standards of writing, particularly for boys, do not match those in mathematics and reading, and fewer pupils reach higher levels in writing.

Assessment systems in the early years do not allow staff to monitor the progress of different groups of pupils. Some of the most-able children do not progress as rapidly as they might.

Information about this school

St Joseph's is a larger-than-average primary school.

There have been significant changes in leadership in the last three years. A permanent headteacher was appointed in September 2013. Although nominally one form entry, at the request of the local authority, the school has accepted extra pupils who are accommodated in additional classes in Years 2, 3 and 4.

The school has strong links with the local church. The proportion of pupils supported by the pupil premium is above average. This is additional funding supporting pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those in the care of the local authority.

Pupils in the school come from a wide range of backgrounds. Just over a third of pupils come from White British families; other significant groups include Other White, Other Asian and African children. A high proportion of pupils come from homes where English is not the first language, some of whom are at the early stages of learning English.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is above the national average. In the early years, children are admitted to the part-time Nursery classes when they are three years old. They are then taught full time in one Reception class.

The school meets the government's floor standards which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress

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