St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The governing body knows the school well.

Governors have worked effectively with senior leaders to address a historic legacy of instability in leadership. As a result of leaders' high expectations and ambition, the school is going from strength to strength. Subject leaders provide valuable support.

They ensure that teachers have secure subject knowledge to teach a range of subjects effectively. Leaders ensure that there is a broad and balanced curriculum which is well structured and engaging. This contributes to pupils' strong progress across a range of subjects.

The majority of pupils benefit from good quality teaching. Teachers... plan learning that develops pupils' knowledge and understanding. At times, teachers do not address pupils' misconceptions quickly enough to ensure that mistakes are not repeated.

The progress of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), although improving, is not as strong in writing as it is in reading and mathematics. Pupils' behaviour is consistently good. They are polite, respectful and kind.

Pupils wear their uniform with pride and value the opportunities that they receive to contribute to the leadership of the school across a variety of roles. The attainment of pupils at the end of key stages 1 and 2 has increased over time. Pupils' attainment in 2018 was in line with that seen nationally at the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics.

Phonics is taught well in early years and key stage 1. The proportion of pupils who achieved the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check matches the national average. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils is a strength of the school.

It links closely to pupils' understanding of British values. Pupils make good progress in the early years. However, learning in the Reception Year does not always provide experiences which are demanding enough to challenge children's thinking sufficiently.

Leaders' actions have not had enough impact on improving the attainment of the most able pupils in school, especially in writing and mathematics.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. It is located in an area of high deprivation.

The school receives additional funding through the pupil premium funding for a higher-than-average proportion of disadvantaged pupils. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average. The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan is typically average.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is lower than the national average. The proportion of pupils who leave or join the school during the school year is lower than the national average. The school runs a breakfast club and an after-school club.

Leaders also offer a wide range of other clubs which run after school. The school uses alternative provision at Northwood Community Primary School in Kirkby. The school's most recent Section 48 inspection for schools with a religious character took place in November 2014.