St Katharine’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

St Katharine's is a very special place to learn. The school's ethos of 'Forever Flourishing' sits at the centre of everything the school does.

Pupils do 'flourish' here. Children are seen as unique. They are encouraged to 'find their thing'.

Parents are overwhelmingly positive. One parent commented, 'The school ethos has instilled so many values that will enable my child to succeed, not only in education, but in the wider world.'

The school is highly ambitious and aspirational for all.

Pupils are excited, curious and have a thirst for learning. From the moment children start in the Reception Year, they make full use of the irresistible indoor and ou...tdoor environment and resources that engage and support their development.

The school has extremely high expectations for behaviour.

These are wholeheartedly lived out alongside the school's values of 'grace, integrity and aspiration'. Relationships are mutually respectful. Pupils feel safe and secure in school.

They celebrate and value differences and show this in their care for each other.

The school provides an exceptional range of enrichment experiences that incorporate the whole child through music, sports and the arts. These opportunities enable pupils to become resilient, independent and empathetic learners.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school provides an exceptional quality of education. Inspirational leadership permeates through the whole school. This ensures that all succeed.

Effective and targeted professional development allows staff to excel. The school's unrelenting focus on building on pupils' success results in high outcomes for all.

Pupils learn exceptionally well.

The school's 'SEASIDE' curriculum is firmly embedded and is highly ambitious across all subjects. From the early years, this creative curriculum has been deliberately designed and sequenced to enable all pupils to progress well. Alongside this, careful thought has been taken to weave in academic knowledge and incorporate pupils' individual personal development journeys, where spirituality sits at the heart.

As a result, pupils develop into knowledgeable, aspirational, confident and caring citizens.

Reading is pivotal within the school's curriculum. Children begin to learn to read as soon as they start school.

Phonics is taught with precision. Books pupils read are carefully matched to the sounds they know. Consequently, children gain secure reading knowledge.

Careful checks on what children know and can do ensures relevant and timely support is put in place so all succeed. Older pupils talk extremely confidently and in detail about their enjoyment of books they study in class. They read widely and often.

Staff are highly knowledgeable. Careful checks on what pupils know and can do are made across the curriculum. The school encourages pupils to make links in their learning and revisit prior learning.

The carefully constructed curriculum enables pupils to develop deep and detailed knowledge as they move through the school. For example, in geography, pupils know, understand and recall key vocabulary, such as 'carbon-reducing footprint'. They use their knowledge to estimate the amount of plastic on their local beach using quadrants.

Skilled adults guide pupils to reflect on their learning. Pupils know that it is alright to make mistakes. Pupils of all ages, including children in the early years, know never to give up.

The school ensures pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Forensic monitoring of pupils' needs means staff make relevant and appropriate adaptations to individual learning. As a result, pupils with SEND learn the full curriculum and achieve very well.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. The school is a calm and focused environment in which pupils learn and play. Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning.

They listen attentively to both their teachers and peers. Children in the early years are highly motivated and eager. They share and cooperate well, demonstrating high levels of control and respect for others.

The school promotes the extensive personal development of pupils. Opportunities for pupils to develop their interests and talents are exceptional. Staff fully utilise the local community to enrich pupils' experiences by leading and joining in with local and national music orchestras and choirs, for instance.

Careful planning and consideration for pupils' social and emotional development ensures all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, succeed.

Governors use their expertise to provide the school with effective support and challenge. Their articulation of the school's vision and ambition for all goes hand in hand with school leaders.

Governor challenge supports school leaders, at all levels, to maintain the relentless approach to ensuring the school is delivering the best for every individual pupil. This school does not stand still.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.